New Bass Trombone for a Pro (tenor) player
- aarontrb
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Aug 13, 2023
Hey guys, like the tittle says, I'm looking for a new Bass Trombone. To put in context, I'm a pro player with the tenor trombone, but I want to start playing the Bass, with the possibility of going to an auddition in the future (maybe).
I have a budget around 3500$, and there are two options that comes to my mind.
- Shires q36yr (rotor version)
- Eastman etb849 (axial version of the etb848)
Both are around 3400 - 3600 in my country, Spain, but I haven't tried none of them, and maybe one of you can help me to make this important decision.
Could be another great options, if someone wants to suggest.
P.D. Sorry if my english it's not perfect, I hope it's understandeable at least.
I have a budget around 3500$, and there are two options that comes to my mind.
- Shires q36yr (rotor version)
- Eastman etb849 (axial version of the etb848)
Both are around 3400 - 3600 in my country, Spain, but I haven't tried none of them, and maybe one of you can help me to make this important decision.
Could be another great options, if someone wants to suggest.
P.D. Sorry if my english it's not perfect, I hope it's understandeable at least.
- Danitrb
- Posts: 245
- Joined: Dec 10, 2022
For sure, Shires Q series and Eastman are great instruments, but personally I would buy a used horn, if you like Shires, look at Custom series! Or you can try to find any excellent instrument out there, but used!
- sf105
- Posts: 433
- Joined: Mar 24, 2018
what tenor instrument do you play?
there are a lot of good horns out there. It depends on your circumstances.
As a pro, can you get any advice from your colleagues with bass trombones? Maybe try a couple?
there are a lot of good horns out there. It depends on your circumstances.
As a pro, can you get any advice from your colleagues with bass trombones? Maybe try a couple?
- MrBadger
- Posts: 31
- Joined: Sep 24, 2021
I can highly recommend the Rath R900
<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.thomann.de/gb/michael_rath_ ... ombone.htm">https://www.thomann.de/gb/michael_rath_r900_bass_trombone.htm</LINK_TEXT>
<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.thomann.de/gb/michael_rath_ ... ombone.htm">https://www.thomann.de/gb/michael_rath_r900_bass_trombone.htm</LINK_TEXT>
- aarontrb
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Aug 13, 2023
[quote="Danitrb"]For sure, Shires Q series and Eastman are great instruments, but personally I would buy a used horn, if you like Shires, look at Custom series! Or you can try to find any excellent instrument out there, but used![/quote]
The problem it's the budget, custom series are more expensive than I can afford right now, maybe the 2nd hand market it's a good option.
Thanks!
The problem it's the budget, custom series are more expensive than I can afford right now, maybe the 2nd hand market it's a good option.
Thanks!
- aarontrb
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Aug 13, 2023
[quote="sf105"]what tenor instrument do you play?
there are a lot of good horns out there. It depends on your circumstances.
As a pro, can you get any advice from your colleagues with bass trombones? Maybe try a couple?[/quote]
I'm playing Bach 42 BOF, the centennial model with yellow bell and heavy slide.
My colleagues are all playing shires, customs and q series. They are great horns but I want an "neutral" opinion, or maybe shires it's the best option, I don't know :idk:
there are a lot of good horns out there. It depends on your circumstances.
As a pro, can you get any advice from your colleagues with bass trombones? Maybe try a couple?[/quote]
I'm playing Bach 42 BOF, the centennial model with yellow bell and heavy slide.
My colleagues are all playing shires, customs and q series. They are great horns but I want an "neutral" opinion, or maybe shires it's the best option, I don't know :idk:
- aarontrb
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Aug 13, 2023
[quote="MrBadger"]I can highly recommend the Rath R900
<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.thomann.de/gb/michael_rath_ ... ombone.htm">https://www.thomann.de/gb/michael_rath_r900_bass_trombone.htm</LINK_TEXT>[/quote]
I don't know much about Rath horns, but I haven't heard great things... They are worth the money?
<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.thomann.de/gb/michael_rath_ ... ombone.htm">https://www.thomann.de/gb/michael_rath_r900_bass_trombone.htm</LINK_TEXT>[/quote]
I don't know much about Rath horns, but I haven't heard great things... They are worth the money?
- tbonesullivan
- Posts: 1959
- Joined: Jul 02, 2019
[quote="aarontrb"]I don't know much about Rath horns, but I haven't heard great things... They are worth the money?[/quote] Have you heard bad things? I have only heard good things about the R900 bass trombones.
- spencercarran
- Posts: 689
- Joined: Oct 17, 2020
[quote="aarontrb"]<QUOTE author="MrBadger" post_id="217652" time="1691949337" user_id="13229">
I can highly recommend the Rath R900
<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.thomann.de/gb/michael_rath_ ... ombone.htm">https://www.thomann.de/gb/michael_rath_r900_bass_trombone.htm</LINK_TEXT>[/quote]
I don't know much about Rath horns, but I haven't heard great things... They are worth the money?
</QUOTE>
The JPRath bass trombone is quite good and, I believe, worth the money if that's where your budget is and you want to buy new. By all accounts the R900 should be equal to or better than the JPRath.
I can highly recommend the Rath R900
<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.thomann.de/gb/michael_rath_ ... ombone.htm">https://www.thomann.de/gb/michael_rath_r900_bass_trombone.htm</LINK_TEXT>[/quote]
I don't know much about Rath horns, but I haven't heard great things... They are worth the money?
</QUOTE>
The JPRath bass trombone is quite good and, I believe, worth the money if that's where your budget is and you want to buy new. By all accounts the R900 should be equal to or better than the JPRath.
- Kbiggs
- Posts: 1768
- Joined: Mar 24, 2018
It sounds like you already know what you want. Shires Q series and Eastman horns are great basic middle-of-the-road horns ("neutral") used by a lot of great players.
Assuming you've already played and tested the Shires Q36YR and the Eastman ETB849, then maybe looking for a dealer who has some new/used or demo horns for sale. Dillon's in NJ and Peninisula Music in CA often have some of each--I don't know whether they are willing to ship to Spain but you can check it out. I know there is a good market in Europe for used horns.
Assuming you've already played and tested the Shires Q36YR and the Eastman ETB849, then maybe looking for a dealer who has some new/used or demo horns for sale. Dillon's in NJ and Peninisula Music in CA often have some of each--I don't know whether they are willing to ship to Spain but you can check it out. I know there is a good market in Europe for used horns.
- MrBadger
- Posts: 31
- Joined: Sep 24, 2021
[quote="spencercarran"]<QUOTE author="aarontrb" post_id="217728" time="1692027191" user_id="16916">
I don't know much about Rath horns, but I haven't heard great things... They are worth the money?[/quote]
The JPRath bass trombone is quite good and, I believe, worth the money if that's where your budget is and you want to buy new. By all accounts the R900 should be equal to or better than the JPRath.
</QUOTE>
I have two custom Raths (R4F and an R12F) and a non-customisable R900. I am very pleased with them all. I've done a side by side comparison with my Holton TR181, and the Rath is nicer to hold, easier to blow and a bigger/wider sound than the Holton. In my opinion, the R900 is of a far netter design and build standard than the JPRath.
I don't know much about Rath horns, but I haven't heard great things... They are worth the money?[/quote]
The JPRath bass trombone is quite good and, I believe, worth the money if that's where your budget is and you want to buy new. By all accounts the R900 should be equal to or better than the JPRath.
</QUOTE>
I have two custom Raths (R4F and an R12F) and a non-customisable R900. I am very pleased with them all. I've done a side by side comparison with my Holton TR181, and the Rath is nicer to hold, easier to blow and a bigger/wider sound than the Holton. In my opinion, the R900 is of a far netter design and build standard than the JPRath.
- Danitrb
- Posts: 245
- Joined: Dec 10, 2022
[quote="aarontrb"]<QUOTE author="Danitrb" post_id="217647" time="1691947119" user_id="16002">
For sure, Shires Q series and Eastman are great instruments, but personally I would buy a used horn, if you like Shires, look at Custom series! Or you can try to find any excellent instrument out there, but used![/quote]
The problem it's the budget, custom series are more expensive than I can afford right now, maybe the 2nd hand market it's a good option.
Thanks!
</QUOTE>
I think your budget is enough to find a good Shires Custom or any horn like that. What I mean is, personally I would buy a used Custom instead of new Q series. That been said, I have a Q series and it is great instrument, but for obvious reasons Custom is another degree. Today if I could choose again, I would prefer a used Custom.
For sure, Shires Q series and Eastman are great instruments, but personally I would buy a used horn, if you like Shires, look at Custom series! Or you can try to find any excellent instrument out there, but used![/quote]
The problem it's the budget, custom series are more expensive than I can afford right now, maybe the 2nd hand market it's a good option.
Thanks!
</QUOTE>
I think your budget is enough to find a good Shires Custom or any horn like that. What I mean is, personally I would buy a used Custom instead of new Q series. That been said, I have a Q series and it is great instrument, but for obvious reasons Custom is another degree. Today if I could choose again, I would prefer a used Custom.
- aarontrb
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Aug 13, 2023
[quote="Burgerbob"]I'd probably go for the 848 first over the 849.[/quote]
Do you think it's better the 848 over the 849? I don't know if axials are better than eastman rotors, but I see that the 848 it's the "famous brother" and the 849 isn't so played...
Do you think it's better the 848 over the 849? I don't know if axials are better than eastman rotors, but I see that the 848 it's the "famous brother" and the 849 isn't so played...
- Burgerbob
- Posts: 6327
- Joined: Apr 23, 2018
[quote="aarontrb"]<QUOTE author="Burgerbob" post_id="217739" time="1692034378" user_id="3131">
I'd probably go for the 848 first over the 849.[/quote]
Do you think it's better the 848 over the 849? I don't know if axials are better than eastman rotors, but I see that the 848 it's the "famous brother" and the 849 isn't so played...
</QUOTE>
I would just trust lower cost rotors more than lower cost axials. The 848s I've played have been quite good.
I'd probably go for the 848 first over the 849.[/quote]
Do you think it's better the 848 over the 849? I don't know if axials are better than eastman rotors, but I see that the 848 it's the "famous brother" and the 849 isn't so played...
</QUOTE>
I would just trust lower cost rotors more than lower cost axials. The 848s I've played have been quite good.
- sf105
- Posts: 433
- Joined: Mar 24, 2018
If you like Bach, there are a lot of second hand 50s on the market.
- aarontrb
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Aug 13, 2023
[quote="Burgerbob"]<QUOTE author="aarontrb" post_id="217756" time="1692048157" user_id="16916">
Do you think it's better the 848 over the 849? I don't know if axials are better than eastman rotors, but I see that the 848 it's the "famous brother" and the 849 isn't so played...[/quote]
I would just trust lower cost rotors more than lower cost axials. The 848s I've played have been quite good.
</QUOTE>
Yeah, good appreciation.
I think that buying an eastman maybe it's not the best option, with 600$ more are better options
Do you think it's better the 848 over the 849? I don't know if axials are better than eastman rotors, but I see that the 848 it's the "famous brother" and the 849 isn't so played...[/quote]
I would just trust lower cost rotors more than lower cost axials. The 848s I've played have been quite good.
</QUOTE>
Yeah, good appreciation.
I think that buying an eastman maybe it's not the best option, with 600$ more are better options
- aarontrb
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Aug 13, 2023
[quote="sf105"]If you like Bach, there are a lot of second hand 50s on the market.[/quote]
Not in Spain... There are some bach 50 (rotor) with 40 years with prices around 2500$, wich I think they are overpriced
Not in Spain... There are some bach 50 (rotor) with 40 years with prices around 2500$, wich I think they are overpriced
- NuhJuhKuh
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Jun 30, 2018
The Wessex Bass designed by Chris Stearn (Blast on the forum) is currently available:
<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.wessex-tubas.com/products/p ... 1fd9&_ss=r">https://www.wessex-tubas.com/products/professional-double-valve-bass-trombone-pbf565?_pos=4&_sid=acfb51fd9&_ss=r</LINK_TEXT>
<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.wessex-tubas.com/products/p ... 1fd9&_ss=r">https://www.wessex-tubas.com/products/professional-double-valve-bass-trombone-pbf565?_pos=4&_sid=acfb51fd9&_ss=r</LINK_TEXT>
- BassBoneWaluigi
- Posts: 52
- Joined: Nov 24, 2022
I’m not super informed in the shires space, but here’s a used custom on the market rn:
<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.google.com/shopping/product ... a8QgjYI6hE">https://www.google.com/shopping/product/1?q=shires+bass+trombone&client=safari&sa=X&sca_esv=557106445&hl=en-us&biw=375&bih=548&tbs=vw:g&sxsrf=AB5stBi5Za9A_y9j_oGIO1edfYHwmJ0awA:1692108297565&prds=num:1,of:1,eto:6385293455330251641_0,prmr:1,pid:6385293455330251641,cs:1&ved=0ahUKEwjCkP3P6t6AAxWommoFHTqaAa8QgjYI6hE</LINK_TEXT>
<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.google.com/shopping/product ... a8QgjYI6hE">https://www.google.com/shopping/product/1?q=shires+bass+trombone&client=safari&sa=X&sca_esv=557106445&hl=en-us&biw=375&bih=548&tbs=vw:g&sxsrf=AB5stBi5Za9A_y9j_oGIO1edfYHwmJ0awA:1692108297565&prds=num:1,of:1,eto:6385293455330251641_0,prmr:1,pid:6385293455330251641,cs:1&ved=0ahUKEwjCkP3P6t6AAxWommoFHTqaAa8QgjYI6hE</LINK_TEXT>
- BassBoneWaluigi
- Posts: 52
- Joined: Nov 24, 2022
[quote="BassBoneWaluigi"]I’m not super informed in the shires space, but here’s a used custom on the market rn:
<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.google.com/shopping/product ... a8QgjYI6hE">https://www.google.com/shopping/product/1?q=shires+bass+trombone&client=safari&sa=X&sca_esv=557106445&hl=en-us&biw=375&bih=548&tbs=vw:g&sxsrf=AB5stBi5Za9A_y9j_oGIO1edfYHwmJ0awA:1692108297565&prds=num:1,of:1,eto:6385293455330251641_0,prmr:1,pid:6385293455330251641,cs:1&ved=0ahUKEwjCkP3P6t6AAxWommoFHTqaAa8QgjYI6hE</LINK_TEXT>[/quote]
It’s on reverb as well, 7 day returns
<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.google.com/shopping/product ... a8QgjYI6hE">https://www.google.com/shopping/product/1?q=shires+bass+trombone&client=safari&sa=X&sca_esv=557106445&hl=en-us&biw=375&bih=548&tbs=vw:g&sxsrf=AB5stBi5Za9A_y9j_oGIO1edfYHwmJ0awA:1692108297565&prds=num:1,of:1,eto:6385293455330251641_0,prmr:1,pid:6385293455330251641,cs:1&ved=0ahUKEwjCkP3P6t6AAxWommoFHTqaAa8QgjYI6hE</LINK_TEXT>[/quote]
It’s on reverb as well, 7 day returns
- aarontrb
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Aug 13, 2023
[quote="NuhJuhKuh"]The Wessex Bass designed by Chris Stearn (Blast on the forum) is currently available:
<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.wessex-tubas.com/products/p ... 1fd9&_ss=r">https://www.wessex-tubas.com/products/professional-double-valve-bass-trombone-pbf565?_pos=4&_sid=acfb51fd9&_ss=r</LINK_TEXT>[/quote]
In Spain the shipping taxes are 21% of the value of the product, so for 2200$ + 430$ I don't know if it's interesting... I don't know nothing about the horn, it's playing well??
<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.wessex-tubas.com/products/p ... 1fd9&_ss=r">https://www.wessex-tubas.com/products/professional-double-valve-bass-trombone-pbf565?_pos=4&_sid=acfb51fd9&_ss=r</LINK_TEXT>[/quote]
In Spain the shipping taxes are 21% of the value of the product, so for 2200$ + 430$ I don't know if it's interesting... I don't know nothing about the horn, it's playing well??