Any one tried Bell Trombones out of Ft. Worth?
- Ttuer
- Posts: 15
- Joined: Sep 21, 2023
Bell Trumpets are gaining momentum here in Texas. But has any one played on one of the trombones he makes? Curious
- Burgerbob
- Posts: 6327
- Joined: Apr 23, 2018
I just want to point out they are just another Chinese stencil, right?
- RJMason
- Posts: 390
- Joined: Jun 05, 2018
Yet another Chinese stencil carefully completed in America yup lol
- dwcarder
- Posts: 53
- Joined: Jun 27, 2023
Some more discussion on the trumpet forum: <LINK_TEXT text="https://www.trumpetherald.com/forum/vie ... p?t=166752">https://www.trumpetherald.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=166752</LINK_TEXT> provides a pointer to https://sunwinmusic.com/trombone/
- Ttuer
- Posts: 15
- Joined: Sep 21, 2023
Thanks for the info. Still curious how well they are made even though based in China. Never seen the Bell trombone up close.
- Bonearzt
- Posts: 833
- Joined: Mar 22, 2018
They are NOT just another Eastern ISO!!!
You need to play them before you attach misguided label!!
Steve Bell has put a LOT of thought and energy into his line of instruments and has sought input from some high-level Musicians in the D/FW area!!!
You need to play them before you attach misguided label!!
Steve Bell has put a LOT of thought and energy into his line of instruments and has sought input from some high-level Musicians in the D/FW area!!!
- Ttuer
- Posts: 15
- Joined: Sep 21, 2023
People I know with Bell Trumpets are very happy with them. I want to know if he puts the same care and build in to his trombone line
- Burgerbob
- Posts: 6327
- Joined: Apr 23, 2018
I'm sure they're better than the average Jinbao, but they also aren't "american-made" like I have seen some marketing trying to pass off. Just looking for transparency. We don't let Shires get away with it, Bell doesn't get to either.
- Posaunus
- Posts: 5018
- Joined: Mar 23, 2018
Appears to be another story about the internationalization of manufacturing.
Swiss valves, Italian and Canadian mouthpieces, Japanese bells and slides, all sorts of Chinese components and raw materials, ...
At some point it will be hard to claim 100% "Made in America."
Where is your car made?
Your computer?
Your clothing?
Your mobile phone?
Is there always a rational basis to claim the unquestionable inferiority (or superiority) of "foreign" products?
Swiss valves, Italian and Canadian mouthpieces, Japanese bells and slides, all sorts of Chinese components and raw materials, ...
At some point it will be hard to claim 100% "Made in America."
Where is your car made?
Your computer?
Your clothing?
Your mobile phone?
Is there always a rational basis to claim the unquestionable inferiority (or superiority) of "foreign" products?
- Burgerbob
- Posts: 6327
- Joined: Apr 23, 2018
Again, the point is not the quality- I'm sure they're fine. I have a very well-made Y-Fort made in China. It's a very good trombone- one that was designed and built by people that care about their own design in China.
It's not another Alibaba clone trombone with a couple tweaks.
It's not another Alibaba clone trombone with a couple tweaks.
- RJMason
- Posts: 390
- Joined: Jun 05, 2018
Another year at NAMM that proves American manufacturing is in the gutter. The better horns have parts and components made all over the world then are either finished in some way, maybe if you are lucky, assembled in America. The best horns are Yamaha and Rath, both made internationally. When I was a teenager Chinese made instruments were vilified for their inferiority. Now I’d rather have a Chinese made Y-Fort, JP, or Yamaha Advantage, than an “American” trombone. Bell looks nice, just like Victory, or whichever American entrepreneur decides to rely on branding marketing and globalization to sell band instruments. If I ever run across one I will try it and see if it’s as good as Y Fort!
The only exception at this point really being O’Malley…and they are the only horns made COMPLETELY in the US that remind me of the Golden Age!
The only exception at this point really being O’Malley…and they are the only horns made COMPLETELY in the US that remind me of the Golden Age!
- WGWTR180
- Posts: 2152
- Joined: Sep 04, 2019
[quote="RJMason"]Another year at NAMM that proves American manufacturing is in the gutter. The better horns have parts and components made all over the world then are either finished in some way, maybe if you are lucky, assembled in America. The best horns are Yamaha and Rath, both made internationally. When I was a teenager Chinese made instruments were vilified for their inferiority. Now I’d rather have a Chinese made Y-Fort, JP, or Yamaha Advantage, than an “American” trombone. Bell looks nice, just like Victory, or whichever American entrepreneur decides to rely on branding marketing and globalization to sell band instruments. If I ever run across one I will try it and see if it’s as good as Y Fort!
The only exception at this point really being O’Malley…and they are the only horns made COMPLETELY in the US that remind me of the Golden Age![/quote]
I don't disagree but you've forgotten about M&W and Stephens. I also now worry about Rath since they've been bought out.
The only exception at this point really being O’Malley…and they are the only horns made COMPLETELY in the US that remind me of the Golden Age![/quote]
I don't disagree but you've forgotten about M&W and Stephens. I also now worry about Rath since they've been bought out.
- SwissTbone
- Posts: 1138
- Joined: Mar 23, 2018
[quote="WGWTR180"]
I don't disagree but you've forgotten about M&W and Stephens. I also now worry about Rath since they've been bought out.[/quote]
Rath custom trombones are still made by the same team as before in England. The R series are made of Chinese parts.
I don't disagree but you've forgotten about M&W and Stephens. I also now worry about Rath since they've been bought out.[/quote]
Rath custom trombones are still made by the same team as before in England. The R series are made of Chinese parts.
- jjenkins
- Posts: 364
- Joined: Apr 22, 2018
[quote="RJMason"]The only exception at this point really being O’Malley…and they are the only horns made COMPLETELY in the US that remind me of the Golden Age![/quote]
Let's not forget Edwards Instruments, which are manufactured entirely in the US. I think the only part they outsource are Seibold minibal linkages.
Let's not forget Edwards Instruments, which are manufactured entirely in the US. I think the only part they outsource are Seibold minibal linkages.
- WGWTR180
- Posts: 2152
- Joined: Sep 04, 2019
[quote="SwissTbone"]<QUOTE author="WGWTR180" post_id="293207" time="1769349745" user_id="7573">
I don't disagree but you've forgotten about M&W and Stephens. I also now worry about Rath since they've been bought out.[/quote]
Rath custom trombones are still made by the same team as before in England. The R series are made of Chinese parts.
</QUOTE>
That's great news! Thanks.
I don't disagree but you've forgotten about M&W and Stephens. I also now worry about Rath since they've been bought out.[/quote]
Rath custom trombones are still made by the same team as before in England. The R series are made of Chinese parts.
</QUOTE>
That's great news! Thanks.
- tkelley216
- Posts: 38
- Joined: Oct 25, 2021
[quote="WGWTR180"]<QUOTE author="RJMason" post_id="293185" time="1769305349" user_id="3369">
Another year at NAMM that proves American manufacturing is in the gutter. The better horns have parts and components made all over the world then are either finished in some way, maybe if you are lucky, assembled in America. The best horns are Yamaha and Rath, both made internationally. When I was a teenager Chinese made instruments were vilified for their inferiority. Now I’d rather have a Chinese made Y-Fort, JP, or Yamaha Advantage, than an “American” trombone. Bell looks nice, just like Victory, or whichever American entrepreneur decides to rely on branding marketing and globalization to sell band instruments. If I ever run across one I will try it and see if it’s as good as Y Fort!
The only exception at this point really being O’Malley…and they are the only horns made COMPLETELY in the US that remind me of the Golden Age![/quote]
I don't disagree but you've forgotten about M&W and Stephens. I also now worry about Rath since they've been bought out.
</QUOTE>
Also add Getzen/Edwards, BAC, and Schilke/Greenhoe, probably others as well. I see the point about transparency, I can't 100% confirm all of these horns don't use some amount of overseas labor/parts but I have been generally impressed with the quality of the ones I've played in the last few years.
Plenty of great American made horns these days, they just tend to only be top tier professional horns and come from smaller shops or family-run businesses and have a waiting list. Plenty of demand for them in Asia and Europe too, even with wonderful manufactures in those regions.
Another year at NAMM that proves American manufacturing is in the gutter. The better horns have parts and components made all over the world then are either finished in some way, maybe if you are lucky, assembled in America. The best horns are Yamaha and Rath, both made internationally. When I was a teenager Chinese made instruments were vilified for their inferiority. Now I’d rather have a Chinese made Y-Fort, JP, or Yamaha Advantage, than an “American” trombone. Bell looks nice, just like Victory, or whichever American entrepreneur decides to rely on branding marketing and globalization to sell band instruments. If I ever run across one I will try it and see if it’s as good as Y Fort!
The only exception at this point really being O’Malley…and they are the only horns made COMPLETELY in the US that remind me of the Golden Age![/quote]
I don't disagree but you've forgotten about M&W and Stephens. I also now worry about Rath since they've been bought out.
</QUOTE>
Also add Getzen/Edwards, BAC, and Schilke/Greenhoe, probably others as well. I see the point about transparency, I can't 100% confirm all of these horns don't use some amount of overseas labor/parts but I have been generally impressed with the quality of the ones I've played in the last few years.
Plenty of great American made horns these days, they just tend to only be top tier professional horns and come from smaller shops or family-run businesses and have a waiting list. Plenty of demand for them in Asia and Europe too, even with wonderful manufactures in those regions.
- Kbiggs
- Posts: 1768
- Joined: Mar 24, 2018
A little off topic here:
The dwindling of “Made In America” has been a long time coming. A lot of production and manufacture has been shipped to places where labor is cheap, whether it’s clothing, shoes, nuts & bolts, widgets, cars, computers, IT help… Money chases goods. Goods that are made cheaply will sell cheaply, and those same goods will often outsell well-made goods. Nothing new in that.
Consolidation is one kind of stop-gap measure. When Selmer USA purchased Vito, Leblanc, Martin, and other smaller makers, it was seen as a way to continue some niche brands. It didn’t take long for some of those names to be dropped due to redundancies. Similar story with UMI forty years ago. And with Conn-Selmer today. What’s different is that it’s happening in America, right now, in our little corner of the world.
I’ve heard it said for a long time now that America is a victim of its own success. The flip-side is that America is a victim of its own excesses… but that’s a completely different topic.
Some of the overseas brands are very poor, but many are improving. Remember when Yamaha was still new to the US? Jupiter and XO have really increased their quality and presence in the past 20 years. It won’t be long until Jin Bao, Hoxon Gakki, and Sunwin—or their Americanized names—are commonplace.
The dwindling of “Made In America” has been a long time coming. A lot of production and manufacture has been shipped to places where labor is cheap, whether it’s clothing, shoes, nuts & bolts, widgets, cars, computers, IT help… Money chases goods. Goods that are made cheaply will sell cheaply, and those same goods will often outsell well-made goods. Nothing new in that.
Consolidation is one kind of stop-gap measure. When Selmer USA purchased Vito, Leblanc, Martin, and other smaller makers, it was seen as a way to continue some niche brands. It didn’t take long for some of those names to be dropped due to redundancies. Similar story with UMI forty years ago. And with Conn-Selmer today. What’s different is that it’s happening in America, right now, in our little corner of the world.
I’ve heard it said for a long time now that America is a victim of its own success. The flip-side is that America is a victim of its own excesses… but that’s a completely different topic.
Some of the overseas brands are very poor, but many are improving. Remember when Yamaha was still new to the US? Jupiter and XO have really increased their quality and presence in the past 20 years. It won’t be long until Jin Bao, Hoxon Gakki, and Sunwin—or their Americanized names—are commonplace.
- jjenkins
- Posts: 364
- Joined: Apr 22, 2018
Kbiggs, not really "off topic," but an excellent summation of what is and is to come.
- TubesRock
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Jan 27, 2026
[quote="tkelley216"]<QUOTE author="WGWTR180" post_id="293207" time="1769349745" user_id="7573">
I don't disagree but you've forgotten about M&W and Stephens. I also now worry about Rath since they've been bought out.[/quote]
Also add Getzen/Edwards, BAC, and Schilke/Greenhoe, probably others as well. I see the point about transparency, I can't 100% confirm all of these horns don't use some amount of overseas labor/parts but I have been generally impressed with the quality of the ones I've played in the last few years.
Plenty of great American made horns these days, they just tend to only be top tier professional horns and come from smaller shops or family-run businesses and have a waiting list. Plenty of demand for them in Asia and Europe too, even with wonderful manufactures in those regions.
</QUOTE>
M&W, BAC, Schilke/Greenhoe all use bells from the same maker in Germany. Some also use the electroformed copper bell blanks from Anderson in Indiana.
I don't disagree but you've forgotten about M&W and Stephens. I also now worry about Rath since they've been bought out.[/quote]
Also add Getzen/Edwards, BAC, and Schilke/Greenhoe, probably others as well. I see the point about transparency, I can't 100% confirm all of these horns don't use some amount of overseas labor/parts but I have been generally impressed with the quality of the ones I've played in the last few years.
Plenty of great American made horns these days, they just tend to only be top tier professional horns and come from smaller shops or family-run businesses and have a waiting list. Plenty of demand for them in Asia and Europe too, even with wonderful manufactures in those regions.
</QUOTE>
M&W, BAC, Schilke/Greenhoe all use bells from the same maker in Germany. Some also use the electroformed copper bell blanks from Anderson in Indiana.