Bass Trombone

Thollow · by **Thollow** » 2023-10-07 10:01 p.m.

What are some recommendations for a single-valve bass trombone with a budget of $2,000? I've been playing a beat-up Conn 18H with my high school band for 3 years and decided it's about time for an upgrade.

BGuttman · by **BGuttman** » 2023-10-08 7:40 a.m.

Are you playing an old Conn 18H with an F-valve? Or is it just the 18H Director? If you have the 18H bass trombone from 100 years ago, it's probably worth fixing up.

Are you playing 3rd trombone most of the time? Or are you just looking for something with an F-attachment?

If you don't mind a used instrument you should be able to find a single bass for well under your price point. Check the Classifieds here. They show up from time to time. Some that I've seen are:

Conn 72H, 71H, 70H

Olds P-24

Reynolds Argenta

Yamaha YBL-321 or 322

If all you want is an F-attachment (which may be fine for High School band) there is a huge selection of various student grade instruments in symphonic bore.

Thollow · by **Thollow** » 2023-10-08 10:45 a.m.

It is the 18H Director. I also play 3rd most of the time, but since we have a smaller band I play 2nd if we need it. Originally, I was looking for an F-attachment one, but after asking my band director he said that since we don't have any basses, he would rather me look for a bass trombone first.

BGuttman · by **BGuttman** » 2023-10-08 11:04 a.m.

Is this for your personal instrument? If so, I'd look at the symphonic bore tenor rather than a full bass. If the school will buy it, by all means go for the bass.

The reason for the popularity of the symphonic trombone with F attachment dates to Emory Remington, a renowned teacher at the Eastman School of Music. Remington recommended the symphonic trombone with F because you can use it to cover all parts in concert band or orchestra. For a personal trombone I'd go for a nice symphonic tenor with F. Many can be had for less than $1,000 in the used market.

When I was in High School (back in the late Pre-Cambrian era) F-attachments were pretty rare and I played a King Symphony that was owned by the school (comparable to a King 5B today). I owned an Olds Ambassador with F, which is small bore by any standard.

Thollow · by **Thollow** » 2023-10-08 1:19 p.m.

It is for my personal instrument. Our band gets nominal funding from the school, so we have to buy our own instruments. I'll look into some .547 tenors, but if I can find a nice deal on a used bass, I might stick with one of those.

DougHulme · by **DougHulme** » 2023-10-08 5:15 p.m.

Look out for a Yamaha YBL321 then - they are really nice iinstruments and do not cost a fortune... Doug

greenbean · by **greenbean** » 2023-10-08 11:10 p.m.

This would be a great first bass! For one-third of your budget.

<LINK_TEXT text="viewtopic.php?p=221601#p221601">https://trombonechat.com/viewtopic.php?p=221601#p221601</LINK_TEXT>

DougHulme · by **DougHulme** » 2023-10-09 3:42 a.m.

Greenbeans absolutely right... snap it up, save all the effort of research and trial and its a third of what you can afford. You can be certain its a great player especially since the slide is good... Doug

Posaunus · by **Posaunus** » 2023-10-09 10:54 a.m.

[quote="greenbean"]This would be a great first bass! For one-third of your budget.

<LINK_TEXT text="viewtopic.php?p=221601#p221601">https://trombonechat.com/viewtopic.php?p=221601#p221601</LINK_TEXT>[/quote]

Before I got my Conn 71H single-valve bass, I played a Yamaha YBL-421G, which was very good and which I liked very much. If greenbean's YBL-322 is similar, it will be perfect for you. Greenbean is one of the most honest and reliable sellers on TromboneChat. If he says the slide is good ... it's good. And his price (including shipping) is outrageously low!

heldenbone · by **heldenbone** » 2023-10-09 11:32 a.m.

I bought a Getzen bass from Tom for a very fair price - have been quite happy with it.

That didn't stop me from recently buying a beautiful Duo Gravis though. :pant:

Thollow · by **Thollow** » 2023-10-09 11:50 a.m.

Thanks for all the recommendations! I'll definitely consider greenbean's YBL-322.

ScottZigler · by **ScottZigler** » 2023-10-09 12:47 p.m.

[quote="heldenbone"]I bought a Getzen bass from Tom for a very fair price - have been quite happy with it.

That didn't stop me from recently buying a beautiful Duo Gravis though. :pant:[/quote]

So you did buy it! I want to hear you on it at tbn choir.

heldenbone · by **heldenbone** » 2023-10-09 5:00 p.m.

It is the most amazing, responsive beast I've ever held. I'm playing it with a Mt Vernon 2G I bought on impulse months ago. It turned out to be too yappy for anything I had or was playing for, but golly it and the DG sure like each other. It's like playing a big but really dialed-tenor until I go low on it. D an Db speak easily, C and B are still a an ongoing "developmental issue," but pedals just want to jump out. I'm learning about "taste and restraint" now.

elmsandr · by **elmsandr** » 2023-10-09 8:20 p.m.

Just make sure to install the 1970s plug-in for “taste and restraint”

For example:
<ATTACHMENT filename="0F397B69-974D-4E03-B897-FF54A40EFED5.jpeg" index="0">~~[attachment=0]~~0F397B69-974D-4E03-B897-FF54A40EFED5.jpeg</ATTACHMENT>

Perfectly restrained.

hyperbolica · by **hyperbolica** » 2023-10-09 9:27 p.m.

[quote="elmsandr"]Just make sure to install the 1970s plug-in for “taste and restraint”

For example:

0F397B69-974D-4E03-B897-FF54A40EFED5.jpeg

Perfectly restrained.[/quote]

Geez, we used to dress like that? I wasn't cool enough back then to have those kind of threads.

DougHulme · by **DougHulme** » 2023-10-10 3:40 a.m.

Which one plays the Bass Trombone?... Doug

BGuttman · by **BGuttman** » 2023-10-10 5:53 a.m.

[quote="DougHulme"]Which one plays the Bass Trombone?... Doug[/quote]

None of them. He said "restraint". :tongue:

DougHulme · by **DougHulme** » 2023-10-10 6:15 a.m.

Ah yes - I missed that! Must be string players then... Doug

BGuttman · by **BGuttman** » 2023-10-10 6:42 a.m.

Must be violists.

DougHulme · by **DougHulme** » 2023-10-10 6:47 a.m.

Indeed but I didnt like to say, lest someones wife is restrained, I mean a violinist!

Digidog · by **Digidog** » 2023-10-11 2:52 a.m.

[quote="DougHulme"]Indeed but I didnt like to say, lest someones wife is restrained, I mean a violinist![/quote]

Violent, volatile violinist villains?

heldenbone · by **heldenbone** » 2023-10-11 4:49 p.m.

Story about gifted trumpeter John Wilbraham, likely apochryphal:

During a London rehearsal, he was asked by a viola player "Could you not play quite so loudly? It's given me such a headache!" John gazed at the violist intently for a moment, considering his reply, then said: "If you practiced more, you would sit closer to the front."

DougHulme · by **DougHulme** » 2023-10-11 6:13 p.m.

Wonderful!... Do you think if Baritone players practiced more they would become cornet players? (Britsh Brass band humour)... Doug

Digidog · by **Digidog** » 2023-10-12 5:32 a.m.

[quote="heldenbone"]Story about gifted trumpeter John Wilbraham, likely apochryphal:

During a London rehearsal, he was asked by a viola player "Could you not play quite so loudly? It's given me such a headache!" John gazed at the violist intently for a moment, considering his reply, then said: "If you practiced more, you would sit closer to the front."[/quote]

That sort of answer, is something everybody wish they had ready on the tongue when snobby instrumentalists from other sections haughtily complain about the brass being loud. I had almost this exact complaint the other week from a flutist in front of me, but my somewhat lame - but no less disdainful - reply was "you can inform the conductor of your wish, and if he tells my to quiet down I'll comply to him - not for the life of me to you".

I get really pi$$£d off at such complaints! If you can't stand loud playing and loud music, just don't sit in an orchestra. What's a trombonist gotta do with a FFF in Tchaikovskij's parts?

MStarke · by **MStarke** » 2023-10-12 5:37 a.m.

Interestingly - at least in my experience - while people sitting close often have an issue with the bass trombones, conductors tend to often complain more on the high parts. At least that's what I have gone through a few times. I honestly am kind of fed up with many orchestra situations. Unrealistic expectations, often zero knowledge of brass instruments with conductors, lots of waiting. Luckily I more or less have the choice what to play and am filtering out more and more of these settings that simply are not enjoyable.

heldenbone · by **heldenbone** » 2023-10-13 7:07 a.m.

[quote="DougHulme"]Wonderful!... Do you think if Baritone players practiced more they would become cornet players? (Britsh Brass band humour)... Doug[/quote]

More likely tenor horn, I would think. (alto for us in the U. S.)

We think of it as a brass viola anyway. :mrgreen:

heldenbone · by **heldenbone** » 2023-10-13 7:10 a.m.

I play bass trombone in a Salvation Army divisional band. When the conductor (rarely) wishes to encourage the trombones, she tells us to make the euphoniums (in front of us) regret their choice of instruments.

DougHulme · by **DougHulme** » 2023-10-13 7:52 a.m.

Well the way those euphoniums 'milk' the melodies they deserve a bit of a shake up now and again :D

harrisonreed · by **harrisonreed** » 2023-10-13 8:06 a.m.

[quote="elmsandr"]Just make sure to install the 1970s plug-in for “taste and restraint”

For example:

0F397B69-974D-4E03-B897-FF54A40EFED5.jpeg

Perfectly restrained.[/quote]

I want whatever item "K" is. So I can look like the guy from King's Quest

DougHulme · by **DougHulme** » 2023-10-13 8:14 a.m.

Do that Harrison and I suspect you might get asked if you have any experience with strings :D

elmsandr · by **elmsandr** » 2023-10-13 8:55 a.m.

[quote="harrisonreed"]<QUOTE author="elmsandr" post_id="222306" time="1696897242" user_id="147">
Just make sure to install the 1970s plug-in for “taste and restraint”

For example:

0F397B69-974D-4E03-B897-FF54A40EFED5.jpeg

Perfectly restrained.[/quote]

I want whatever item "K" is. So I can look like the guy from King's Quest
</QUOTE>

~~[url]~~ https://www.henrythehatterdetroit.com/

I know they have feathers in store by the register…. I need a new one for my summer hat, too.

Cheers,

Andy

hyperbolica · by **hyperbolica** » 2023-10-13 9:46 a.m.

I was filling in at a local college band on bass bone. The conductor's wife was sitting next to me, playing trombone. I heard her mutter under her breath "...concerto for bass trombone and band..." I'm not sure it was meant to be heard, but I got the message. I had an excuse for playing so loud. It wasn't a good one, but I did have an excuse. Eventually I got to go back and play at that particular college a couple of years later when they hired a new band director.

Digidog · by **Digidog** » 2023-10-15 5:38 a.m.

Speaking of bass trombones: Can somebody fill me in on what's going on with this horn? I haven't tried it myself, and I don't know of anyone who have tried it. Though I've been to the shop many times over these last years, I have always forgot to ask about it, but maybe that will change.....

~~[url]~~https://brass-spec.se/product/view/B22-001

BGuttman · by **BGuttman** » 2023-10-15 6:42 a.m.

The TR-185 has been out of production for many years. It was a good single trigger bass. Looks like this one has had a Bach plug-in valve adapted to fit into the F-attachment tuning slide. Definitely one of a kind.

DougHulme · by **DougHulme** » 2023-10-15 9:07 a.m.

If Matt Walker is reading this and if I were a betting man, I'd say he might shed some light on this horn?... maybe not... Doug

WGWTR180 · by **WGWTR180** » 2023-10-15 9:36 a.m.

Anyone notice the pic with the BrassArk “stamp”?

Burgerbob · by **Burgerbob** » 2023-10-15 10:01 a.m.

[quote="WGWTR180"]Anyone notice the pic with the BrassArk “stamp”?[/quote]

Yup... A totally different horn!

WGWTR180 · by **WGWTR180** » 2023-10-16 12:02 p.m.

[quote="Digidog"]Speaking of bass trombones: Can somebody fill me in on what's going on with this horn? I haven't tried it myself, and I don't know of anyone who have tried it. Though I've been to the shop many times over these last years, I have always forgot to ask about it, but maybe that will change.....

~~[url]~~https://brass-spec.se/product/view/B22-001[/quote]

Next time you’re there try it and report here. Could be interesting.

timbone · by **timbone** » 2023-10-26 9:46 p.m.

I'm so glad he is asking for a single valve horn! That's where you cut your teeth ; learn how to pull slides, and bomb low C's! (And not be afraid of 6th and 7th position). Let's face it- using the horn well down there takes a skill set.

jhousdan · by **jhousdan** » 2023-11-02 1:38 p.m.

[quote="DougHulme"]Look out for a Yamaha YBL321 then - they are really nice iinstruments and do not cost a fortune... Doug[/quote]

Another vote for the Yammie 321. Great horns for the price if you're after a single valve horn.

AtomicClock · by **AtomicClock** » 2023-11-02 2:42 p.m.

[quote="Thollow"]Originally, I was looking for an F-attachment one, but after asking my band director he said that since we don't have any basses, he would rather me look for a bass trombone first.[/quote]

Bass trombone is a great instrument, but so is tenor. I think this is a terrible reason for picking one over the other. Sure, you can always change your mind later... but most people don't. Decide what YOU want, and proceed from there.

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