Hi everyone,

I’m mainly a tuba player, but I’ve been playing bass trombone in my high school band and a community band on a school-owned Bach 50B2. I’m now looking to get my own horn for amateur playing in local/community groups.

I’d like something with 2 independent valves, good quality, and a solid feel—basically something that’s reliable and fun to play without going over $3,000. I’ve been looking at the Eastman 848, but I’m open to other suggestions, especially used horns.

If anyone has experience with the Eastman or recommendations for other models in this price range, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks!

Please consider a used professional instrument rather than a new one.

If in good condition, you will get a much better value (= quality÷price).

Lots of great options often available in your price range - see TromboneChat classified listings.

This is really good advice. I was able to find a Getzen Eterna and a King Duo Gravis here, and each was significantly within your budget constraint. Note that both are dependent valve basses. I've not run into anything that presented insurmountable difficulties that independent valves might have solved, and I was able to have the Duo Gravis triggers split while still within your budget. Best of luck.

[quote="heldenbone"]This is really good advice. I was able to find a Getzen Eterna and a King Duo Gravis here, and each was significantly within your budget constraint. Note that both are dependent valve basses. I've not run into anything that presented insurmountable difficulties that independent valves might have solved, and I was able to have the Duo Gravis triggers split while still within your budget. Best of luck.[/quote]

An independent Eterna may fall in your budget if you're patient enough. Unlike the dual bore dependent model 1062 and its soldered bell bead, the independent 1052 is a single bore bass with an unsoldered bell bead. It can fit nearly anywhere you can think of.

Like the op, I'm a tuba player that also plays bass trombone; they're my 1a and 1b, if you will.

No experience with the Eastman, but if you like a broader sound, you might find a used Shires Q36 with axial valves to be up your alley. I was shocked when I test played one; much better than I thought, especially since the Getzen Custom (3062AF) doesn't do it for me.

Other options that can fall in range:

Benge 290

Holton TR181 (play test if you can)

King 7B or 8B

Olds P24G

Yamaha 613 (traditional wrap) or 613H (open wrap)

Maybe a Conn 62HI (Gen II Eastlake production)?

Good luck in your search.

Edit: typo fixed.

I've got an Independent Eterna that I'm thinking of selling, PM inbound.

With a bit of patience, you can probably add an independent Bach 50 to your list. Do you like how you sound on the 50B2?

Beware, the older version of the Bach 50B3 may be pitched quite low. I would suggest to have a look for a 50B3O, often stated to be one of the oddest looking horns around (beauty is in the eye of the beholder) but a good one can be a real player and I think the perceived fugliness might just help to keep the prices down a bit. It has good upgrade potential as well if you decide at some point the valves are restrictive, check out BurgerBob’s YouTube videos on his “Bires” and the recent 50B3OG he was selling.

I’m a bit biased as a 50B3OG owner but couldn’t be happier with it, especially since I added an LT slide.

Speaking from my own experience, I think a budget of $3000 for a good used 50B3O is realistic. I wouldn’t be in a rush to sell mine for that price, but with some patience was able to find one in that ballpark.