Getzen 725 or King 607?

[Getzen130]

I’ve been playing trombone for all of grade school and have been using a Getzen 725 eterna II trombone for my high schools symphonic band. It has a .525/.547 dual bore and an 8 1/2 bell and plays very nice. I also recently picked up a king 607 f that’s fully .525 bore and a smaller 8 inch bell and narrow hand slide. Both are excellent horns, but I’m wondering which one would be more useful headed into college. I’ve been shopping for a full large bore trombone, but like the pop and nice jazz sound with the king. I’m not sure which trombone I’ll keep, if any

[Matt K]

I'm assuming you own the 607F but the Getzen is owned by your school? Or are you asking which to keep?

To be honest, that combination is actually weirdly similar to where I've ended up. It's quite common to have a small or medium bore for jazz/commercial, and a larger bore for symphonic playing. Some people prefer the straight 547 slide, but I'm a huge fan of 525/547 setups. Gives me like 80-90% of the breadth of the larger slide and is like 200% as easy to play.

The answer to this is going to change if you are majoring in music or if you are just pursuing it because you like playing trombone. If it's the latter, you could take that combination of horns into your retirement. If it's majoring, I'd advocate keeping them and then figuring it out with your professor. The 607 is probably a touch too large for all jazz playing, and the Getzen a touch too small for your classical playing. Probably. I've done professional recordings on my 525/547 and nobody knew or cared that I was on something a touch smaller.

Something to consider is the Getzen receiver should work with the larger 3047 and 3062 series slides. So you may want to consider seeing if you can find one used or trying one and buying just the slide. The bell section on the Getzen horns is a popular set of components, so you might be set if you do that. Or you might find that the 525/547 is... actually all that you need.

My 607F has some custom work done to it... I had a smaller upper leg to make it 500/525. I liked the way it played before too though. There are a couple forum members who are big fans of the model, despite it being a student horn. There's honestly not that much difference between it and the pro King models other than trim and the lack of the curved bell brace which... ironically, actually makes the horn potentially more difficult to repair and IMO doesn't really offer any additional benefit.

So that's a lot of words to say nothing other than: your setup is possibly OK for you and you might not need to go down the equipment rabbit hole unless you want to! I have had a lot of fun trading things around and trying a ton of stuff over the years.

[Burgerbob]

If you have a large bore at the same time, keep the 607.

[hyperbolica]

The Getzen is probably indistinguishable from a full on 547. The King will play on the bright side of most 525s. I'd keep both horns. If you can only keep one and you're going to play more jazz, then keep the king. If you're going to play in the orchestra or if you're going to be a performance major, there will be pressure to play 547, and the Getzen will be fine for that. If you've got a lot of extra money you don't want, you can get another 547, but there isn't a need unless your tbone teacher at college suggests it.

[Getzen130]

Hi all, thanks for your replies. I recently had a friend offer me her old Holton TR680 plus her Yamaha ysl-354 student model trombone as a trade for the King 607f. Is this a good deal? The Holton is a little large for my taste with a 9 inch bell, but it is full large bore, which I like.

[BGuttman]

The TR-680 is a good instrument. Only downside I have found is the lack of an E-pull. Just examine the instruments for damage.

[Matt K]

Personally, I like the 607F so I wouldn’t make that trade, but that’s a good deal imo. Especially if the Hilton is more your speed for your classical playing.

[Getzen130]

What about a Blessing B-88-0 versus a Getzen 725? I know the Getzen is probably better made, but the blessing is full large bore, which I like.

[Estraven]

Is the Blessing B-88O US or Chinese? Personally if its Chinese I woulnt consider it.

[tbonesullivan]

Is the Blessing B-88O US or Chinese? Personally if its Chinese I woulnt consider it.

I am pretty sure that the B-88O was a Conn 88H style horn made when Blessing still had a U.S. Factory. I believe they were well-made horns, though it may also depend on when it was made. Blessing had first started making the B88 in the 70s I believe.

I remember them pretty seriously revamping around 2010 or so, but things didn't work out, and the company was sold to St. Louis music, probably becoming a "house" brand. At least it's better than what happened to Olds...

[Getzen130]

The blessing is from Elkhart Indiana, made in the 70s

[calcbone]

I had a Blessing B88 in high school in the 90s…mine was closed-wrap with a rose bell.

The slide was smooth and well-made…it wasn’t a bad horn, but was a bit squirrelly in the high register.