Bass Trombone for high schooler
- Ttuer
- Posts: 15
- Joined: Sep 21, 2023
My son plays bass trombone in high school and am looking to buy him an instrument. We had bought him a real cheap Chinese one from Gear4Music a couple of years ago but as you know, it does not play very well. My budget is not very large. Looking at less than $3000.
I am considering these:
Shires Q36YR used (if I can find)
Eastman 848
Rath 900 used
JP Packer 333
Getzen 1052 used
Don’t like Yamahas
What are y’all’s thoughts?
Thanks
I am considering these:
Shires Q36YR used (if I can find)
Eastman 848
Rath 900 used
JP Packer 333
Getzen 1052 used
Don’t like Yamahas
What are y’all’s thoughts?
Thanks
- hyperbolica
- Posts: 3990
- Joined: Mar 23, 2018
I'll have a Holton tr181 ready in a week or so. It has been worked on a little to make it play better (removed dents and some braces). Dual, indy, Bb/F/Gb-G/D-Eb (removable extension in the D slide will make it Eb), 10" bell, nice slide, not much lacquer, nice sound and feel. Probably $1800-2000. It's on loan right now.
Of the ones you listed, I'd pick the Getzen.
Of the ones you listed, I'd pick the Getzen.
- ghmerrill
- Posts: 2193
- Joined: Apr 02, 2018
I love my Getzen 1052 -- after 10 years of using a Chinese 7B clone that really works surprisingly well. But I doubt you'll find one in the $3,000 range. Also, Getzen seems to make them quite sharp (apparently, I have seen claimed, because so many players use gianormas mouthpieces on them?). People have different feelings about this. And it took me a fairly long time to get the ergonomics of holding and balancing it worked out to my satisfaction. But I do love it, and they'll have to pry the 1052 from my cold dead hands.
I tried a Shires Q36Y briefly, and felt it was okay. But it just didn't feel right to me -- not sure why. However, a very comfortable horn. I just wasn't inspired by it. I don't think you should get anything for your son without having him try it, if only for a short tryout session. One reason for this is that the ergonomics of bass trombones is all over the map, and something that has a good fit and feel to one player may be torture to another. Of course, that can often be fixed without a huge amount of effort (in my case, a counterweight and Bullet Brace), but if there's a real mismatch between, say, hand size and the horn, it might be best avoided in favor of a different choice.
I tried a Shires Q36Y briefly, and felt it was okay. But it just didn't feel right to me -- not sure why. However, a very comfortable horn. I just wasn't inspired by it. I don't think you should get anything for your son without having him try it, if only for a short tryout session. One reason for this is that the ergonomics of bass trombones is all over the map, and something that has a good fit and feel to one player may be torture to another. Of course, that can often be fixed without a huge amount of effort (in my case, a counterweight and Bullet Brace), but if there's a real mismatch between, say, hand size and the horn, it might be best avoided in favor of a different choice.
- tkelley216
- Posts: 38
- Joined: Oct 25, 2021
Of the ones you listed, I would go for a Getzen. However, you will find more value if you look for a Benge of Holton. You might even find an older Bach or Conn around that price point.
I used a Benge 290 for years and sometimes regret selling it. They were made in the king factory and marketed as "classical horns for king players". Well made with modern-ish valves and have been very affordable on the used market.
The only thing to note is some of the older horns take mouthpieces with the longer/Remington shank. Getting a long shank mouthpiece will make those horns come alive.
I used a Benge 290 for years and sometimes regret selling it. They were made in the king factory and marketed as "classical horns for king players". Well made with modern-ish valves and have been very affordable on the used market.
The only thing to note is some of the older horns take mouthpieces with the longer/Remington shank. Getting a long shank mouthpiece will make those horns come alive.
- JonTheCadet
- Posts: 72
- Joined: May 28, 2018
[quote="WGWTR180"]There’s a nice 181 for sale on this page[/quote]
Hopefully you're talking about mine...
Hopefully you're talking about mine...
- WGWTR180
- Posts: 2152
- Joined: Sep 04, 2019
[quote="JonTheCadet"]<QUOTE author="WGWTR180" post_id="282398" time="1753820130" user_id="7573">
There’s a nice 181 for sale on this page[/quote]
Hopefully you're talking about mine...
</QUOTE>
Yup.
There’s a nice 181 for sale on this page[/quote]
Hopefully you're talking about mine...
</QUOTE>
Yup.
- Ttuer
- Posts: 15
- Joined: Sep 21, 2023
Thanks for the replies. Not sure I want him on a 10.5” bell with Holton. I am open to other suggestions than what I have listed. I personally do not like Yamahas but that doesn’t mean my son would sound great on one. Looking at a Yamaha 613h right now that is in price range.
- tbonesullivan
- Posts: 1959
- Joined: Jul 02, 2019
[quote="Ttuer"]Thanks for the replies. Not sure I want him on a 10.5” bell with Holton. I am open to other suggestions than what I have listed. I personally do not like Yamahas but that doesn’t mean my son would sound great on one. Looking at a Yamaha 613h right now that is in price range.[/quote] The 613H is a great horn, IMHO. I do like Yamaha basses, so I don't deny that I'm jaded. I owned a 613H for a year before moving on to an 830, which for me worked a bit better. The ergonomics are good, and you can still get lots of replacement parts.
There are also some other options that include independent basses as well as single valve basses, but since the ones you listed are all Independent, I assume that's what you are looking for.
There are also some other options that include independent basses as well as single valve basses, but since the ones you listed are all Independent, I assume that's what you are looking for.
- TomInME
- Posts: 315
- Joined: Jan 03, 2024
I can't speak regarding the other brands but have tried several Shores and found them all to be easy to play (vintage horns, including my own, often aren't). And the Q I tried seemed like a great value for the money.
- JonTheCadet
- Posts: 72
- Joined: May 28, 2018
[quote="Ttuer"]Thanks for the replies. Not sure I want him on a 10.5” bell with Holton. I am open to other suggestions than what I have listed. I personally do not like Yamahas but that doesn’t mean my son would sound great on one. Looking at a Yamaha 613h right now that is in price range.[/quote]
Holton bells are 10", not 10.5".
Holton bells are 10", not 10.5".
- BGuttman
- Posts: 7368
- Joined: Mar 22, 2018
Couple of other suggestions for used bass trombones:
Conn 112H
King 7B
Maybe not the instrument to audition for the Cleveland Orchestra on, but perfectly good for an advanced student. I played a King 7B for around 30 years in a semi-pro orchestra,
Conn 112H
King 7B
Maybe not the instrument to audition for the Cleveland Orchestra on, but perfectly good for an advanced student. I played a King 7B for around 30 years in a semi-pro orchestra,
- Pezza
- Posts: 221
- Joined: Aug 24, 2021
Used Conn 72H/73H are good solid players. 1st bass I owned was a 73.
- WGWTR180
- Posts: 2152
- Joined: Sep 04, 2019
[quote="Ttuer"]Thanks for the replies. Not sure I want him on a 10.5” bell with Holton. I am open to other suggestions than what I have listed. I personally do not like Yamahas but that doesn’t mean my son would sound great on one. Looking at a Yamaha 613h right now that is in price range.[/quote]
It's a 10 inch bell but I get it.
It's a 10 inch bell but I get it.
- Chazzer69
- Posts: 296
- Joined: Jul 06, 2019
Not sure if you're on Facebook, but you should consider contacting this seller to see if they will ship this horn. This is a steal.
<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 162531841/">https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1031427162531841/</LINK_TEXT>
<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 162531841/">https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1031427162531841/</LINK_TEXT>
- HawaiiTromboneGuy
- Posts: 1025
- Joined: Sep 03, 2018
[quote="Chazzer69"]Not sure if you're on Facebook, but you should consider contacting this seller to see if they will ship this horn. This is a steal.
<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 162531841/">https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1031427162531841/</LINK_TEXT>[/quote]
Lots of red flags on that post. Joined Facebook in 2025 and has only 1 friend. Clicked on their “friend’s” page and it doesn’t look legit at all.
<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 162531841/">https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1031427162531841/</LINK_TEXT>[/quote]
Lots of red flags on that post. Joined Facebook in 2025 and has only 1 friend. Clicked on their “friend’s” page and it doesn’t look legit at all.
- Chazzer69
- Posts: 296
- Joined: Jul 06, 2019
[quote="HawaiiTromboneGuy"]<QUOTE author="Chazzer69" post_id="282771" time="1754325521" user_id="7089">
Not sure if you're on Facebook, but you should consider contacting this seller to see if they will ship this horn. This is a steal.
<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 162531841/">https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1031427162531841/</LINK_TEXT>[/quote]
Lots of red flags on that post. Joined Facebook in 2025 and has only 1 friend. Clicked on their “friend’s” page and it doesn’t look legit at all.
</QUOTE>
Ah. I didn't look that closely. But, who knows. Maybe he joined just to post that. If it is legit, it's still a bargain. It was a thought anyway...
Not sure if you're on Facebook, but you should consider contacting this seller to see if they will ship this horn. This is a steal.
<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 162531841/">https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1031427162531841/</LINK_TEXT>[/quote]
Lots of red flags on that post. Joined Facebook in 2025 and has only 1 friend. Clicked on their “friend’s” page and it doesn’t look legit at all.
</QUOTE>
Ah. I didn't look that closely. But, who knows. Maybe he joined just to post that. If it is legit, it's still a bargain. It was a thought anyway...
- WGWTR180
- Posts: 2152
- Joined: Sep 04, 2019
It’s above your budget but Dillon Music has several demo Q series for sale. I believe shipping is free. Worth checking out.
<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.dillonmusic.com/demo-se-shi ... =113217649">https://www.dillonmusic.com/demo-se-shires-q-series-tbq36yrx-bb-f-gb-67363198.html?id=113217649</LINK_TEXT>
<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.dillonmusic.com/demo-se-shi ... =113217649">https://www.dillonmusic.com/demo-se-shires-q-series-tbq36yrx-bb-f-gb-67363198.html?id=113217649</LINK_TEXT>
- MikeS
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Jul 01, 2020
[quote="Pezza"]Used Conn 72H/73H are good solid players. 1st bass I owned was a 73.[/quote]
A little late to the game but, this would work well.
<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.baltimorebrasscompany.com/p ... mbone.aspx">https://www.baltimorebrasscompany.com/p-18044-conn-73h-dependent-bass-trombone.aspx</LINK_TEXT>
A little late to the game but, this would work well.
<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.baltimorebrasscompany.com/p ... mbone.aspx">https://www.baltimorebrasscompany.com/p-18044-conn-73h-dependent-bass-trombone.aspx</LINK_TEXT>
- BrassAndSilverNate
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Nov 14, 2025
Hope it's okay to post this question here. I think it is pretty closely related.
My son is in 7th grade and has gotten really into the trombone and would like to play bass trombone. But we're wondering if it would be better to wait until he's in high school before we get one. He's very musical and plays a lot of instruments so it wouldn't be a burden on him to wait to have yet another instrument.
The reason I'm asking is he's not the biggest kid. So we were thinking about maybe just getting him a larger bore tenor with an F attachment for Christmas. Kind of as a holdover.
Thoughts on that? Does it matter that he's not that big?
My son is in 7th grade and has gotten really into the trombone and would like to play bass trombone. But we're wondering if it would be better to wait until he's in high school before we get one. He's very musical and plays a lot of instruments so it wouldn't be a burden on him to wait to have yet another instrument.
The reason I'm asking is he's not the biggest kid. So we were thinking about maybe just getting him a larger bore tenor with an F attachment for Christmas. Kind of as a holdover.
Thoughts on that? Does it matter that he's not that big?
- Posaunus
- Posts: 5018
- Joined: Mar 23, 2018
[quote="BrassAndSilverNate"]My son is in 7th grade and has gotten really into the trombone and would like to play bass trombone.
But we're wondering if it would be better to wait until he's in high school before we get one.
... he's not the biggest kid. So we were thinking about maybe just getting him a larger bore tenor with an F attachment for Christmas. Kind of as a holdover.
Thoughts on that? Does it matter that he's not that big?[/quote]
Sounds like a good idea to me. I was also much too small for a bass as a 7th grader, but grew naturally into a larger trombone as I aged. Even a large-bore tenor may be a stretch for a couple of years. Unless your son is in a very unusual situation, he'll never be confronted with playing a true bass trombone part for a few years.
But we're wondering if it would be better to wait until he's in high school before we get one.
... he's not the biggest kid. So we were thinking about maybe just getting him a larger bore tenor with an F attachment for Christmas. Kind of as a holdover.
Thoughts on that? Does it matter that he's not that big?[/quote]
Sounds like a good idea to me. I was also much too small for a bass as a 7th grader, but grew naturally into a larger trombone as I aged. Even a large-bore tenor may be a stretch for a couple of years. Unless your son is in a very unusual situation, he'll never be confronted with playing a true bass trombone part for a few years.
- wayne88ny
- Posts: 82
- Joined: May 24, 2018
Dillon Music has Benge 290 For $2895.00, a Holton TR181 for $2995.00 and a Bach 50B3L for $2995. They have a 7 day return policy.
- BrassAndSilverNate
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Nov 14, 2025
[/quote]
Sounds like a good idea to me. I was also much too small for a bass as a 7th grader, but grew naturally into a larger trombone as I aged. Even a large-bore tenor may be a stretch for a couple of years. Unless your son is in a very unusual situation, he'll never be confronted with playing a true bass trombone part for a few years.
[/quote]
Thank you. That's helpful!
For a 7th grader he is in an unusual situation. One of his musical outlets is a community band that we play together in. The band plays a lot of New Orleans and other jazz music. There's a bass trombone player (an adult) who often will fill in the bass lines when needed and he's been picking up the habit when possible. He sight reads clarinet pretty well, but plays trombone entirely by ear. But he has trouble or can't play all the low notes that the bass trombone can. That's why he wants a bass trombone. ;) But he plays clarinet and trumpet in the band, so he's got plenty to work on without the bass trombone!
We do want to get him an upgrade trombone though. He plays a trombone that was inside a Max trombone case I bought at an auction, a "Cleveland Superior". Surprisingly decent trombone actually, especially when I only paid $16 for the case! But since he's basically playing a free trombone, we feel like he is owed sometime more. ;)
Sounds like a good idea to me. I was also much too small for a bass as a 7th grader, but grew naturally into a larger trombone as I aged. Even a large-bore tenor may be a stretch for a couple of years. Unless your son is in a very unusual situation, he'll never be confronted with playing a true bass trombone part for a few years.
[/quote]
Thank you. That's helpful!
For a 7th grader he is in an unusual situation. One of his musical outlets is a community band that we play together in. The band plays a lot of New Orleans and other jazz music. There's a bass trombone player (an adult) who often will fill in the bass lines when needed and he's been picking up the habit when possible. He sight reads clarinet pretty well, but plays trombone entirely by ear. But he has trouble or can't play all the low notes that the bass trombone can. That's why he wants a bass trombone. ;) But he plays clarinet and trumpet in the band, so he's got plenty to work on without the bass trombone!
We do want to get him an upgrade trombone though. He plays a trombone that was inside a Max trombone case I bought at an auction, a "Cleveland Superior". Surprisingly decent trombone actually, especially when I only paid $16 for the case! But since he's basically playing a free trombone, we feel like he is owed sometime more. ;)
- Posaunus
- Posts: 5018
- Joined: Mar 23, 2018
[quote="BrassAndSilverNate"]There's a bass trombone player who often will fill in the bass lines when needed and he's been picking up the habit when possible. He ... plays trombone entirely by ear. But he has trouble or can't play all the low notes that the bass trombone can. That's why he wants a bass trombone. ;)[/quote]
A tenor trombone with F-attachment will reach all the low notes he needs to play, and will be much lighter and easier to manage than a big ol bass trombone. With the added advantage that - with his still short arms - he can much more deftly play those 6th and 7th position notes. And better prepare him for the bass trombone you'll get him in 9th or 10th grade, when he's more ready for it!
Sounds like you're a great Dad with a talented son!
A tenor trombone with F-attachment will reach all the low notes he needs to play, and will be much lighter and easier to manage than a big ol bass trombone. With the added advantage that - with his still short arms - he can much more deftly play those 6th and 7th position notes. And better prepare him for the bass trombone you'll get him in 9th or 10th grade, when he's more ready for it!
Sounds like you're a great Dad with a talented son!
- BrassAndSilverNate
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Nov 14, 2025
Thank you. That's great advice and advice that I took. Found a used one and a good price. Shocked at how good the slide works. He keeps asking if he's getting a bass trombone for Christmas and I keep telling him he's not. So he'll be pleasantly surprised to receive a tenor with an F attachment. :)