TromboneChat

Hello, I am looking to purchase a used bass trombone, but I have no clue where to start. I will say I have never played bass trombone as there aren’t very many where I live. I’ve checked with my local music shops and none have any for rent.

A brief background of myself, I currently have both a small and a large bore straight tenors and would like to add a bass trombone. I do have an old F attachment tenor, but it is broken and needs repair. And if I’m going to play low notes, I’d rather go straight into a bass trombone. I play in two big bands, a Community Band, and in a rock band. I’ve been told I play well at the lower end (on tenor) and I know a bass trombone would come in handy among the four bands I play with. I am an amateur and I have small hands. I mention the size of my hands because some trombones like Bachs do not fit me well and I am unable to hold them properly.

I am willing to spend up to $3500 (CAD). Would it be better for me to get a single or double? What would my best choices be in this price range? Any advice is appreciated. Thank you.

My primary advice if you are to play bass trombone seriously is: Get a double valve bass!

Even if you currently don't play parts where the second valve is needed, you want the flexibility that two valves get you, and access to those notes that are best played with two valves (i.e. not needing to fake them).

I cannot advice you on what horn you should buy, but I suggest that you make a trip - like a holiday event - to some place where you can try instruments. If you are willing to spend as much as $3500 CDN, I'd say that it's best that you take the purchase process equally seriously as your budget suggests - especially when you say you have limitations in what fits your hands.

Used Shires, Edwards, Conns and Kings and so many other brands that all are really good horns, can be found all over the internet, but if you have special demands I'd sincerely recommend that you try before you buy.

Nothing wrong with a single trigger.
I played doubles for over 30 years. "A" grade brass & concert bands, orchestras & big bands. Due to injuries I now play a single. With a pull to E, and being aware of when to pull and push it back, I haven't found anything that I can't play.
Yes, the double can make it easier, but I've done gigs where the 2nd wasn't used at all!

Buy something that you can easily sell off. There is probably going to be a moment along the way that you have a better idea of what you need.

Like a good priced yamaha 830, 622, etc or a Bach 50B3

I agree that a good used Yamaha bass trombone is an attractive choice.
These instruments hold their value pretty well, they're durable, and will last until (if) you someday fine something you like better - or could satisfy you for decades.
If you eventually decide to sell it, you'll probably get most of your money back.

Wilco wrote: ↑Sat Feb 01, 2025 3:22 pm Buy something that you can easily sell off. There is probably going to be a moment along the way that you have a better idea of what you need.

Like a good priced yamaha 830, 622, etc or a Bach 50B3

I'd go for a Yamaha 612 (dependent) or 613 (independent). They are older and probably less expensive.

A dependent will probably feel "better" at first since you don't use the second valve except for a few notes. I started on an independent and used the second valve like a dependent until I was comfortable with the instrument. Then I branched out to evaluating the added options afforded by the independent valves.

If you are not familiar with the F-attachment, a single is a good inexpensive way to start, but it will be more difficult to sell on if you want a double.

Yamaha YBL-613H is another good one to look for. It is the older generation of the 830.

You definitely want a double. A large bore tenor can do most of what a single bass can do.

I've got a couple of basses for sale that might fit you well. One is an 83h for $1800 and another is a 71h (double) for $2800. Both in good condition with great slides. If you'd like more info, send me a pm.

^get one of those

Pezza wrote: ↑Sat Feb 01, 2025 2:55 pm Nothing wrong with a single trigger.

Oh, I love to play single trigger bass trombone! I played a Yamaha 421, which I still have, for more than twenty years, but when I got more hired on bass I quickly realized that I needed a two valve (Gb & D) horn. Both to facilitate positioning and to play notes that otherwise would have to be achieved through tuning slide modification and ensuing work during playing, and to have some notes more easily played - and sometimes better sounding.

I mean: Many modern Big Band charts either demand - or are more easily played on - a double valve bass, and the same is to some extent true of modern classical and symphonic music, too.

I'd recommend anyone intending to play bass trombone seriously and in many contexts, to buy a double valve horn. Dependent or independent, then, is to me more of personal preferences and choices.

Burgerbob wrote: ↑Sat Feb 01, 2025 8:21 pm ^get one of those

Oh, wow, thanks, BB!

I'll get some detailed info out on these shortly. They have been for sale for a while, but I haven't tried very hard to sell them. They are both Bb/F/Gb dual independent rotors. The 71h is TIS the 83h is TIB. Both are customized, the 83h slightly (second valve changed from Eb tuning to D), the 71h extensively. 83h has rose bell, 71h has a yellow Bach 50 bell. I've compared them to my Kanstul 1662i, and as much as I've tried to hate that thing, the Kanstul is the better horn. Sorry, it's not for sale, although I've sold or tried to sell it multiple times. If you catch me in a moment of weakness or send me something better, you might be able to pry the Kanstul from my grip.

The 83h right now has a loose leadpipe. I can include the orginal or a B1 Edwards pipe, which I think is the best match of the ones I have. If you just walk up and play the 83h, you think "nice horn!". If you play the Kanstul for 10 minutes and then the 83h for 10 minutes, you think, "that's a nice horn, but about 92% of the kanstul", with the deficiency in a slightly less open sound. The 83h is also the lightest of the 3 basses I have.

If you play the 71h just on its own, it sounds maybe a little covered, with a feel between a Bach and Conn. If you play it with a small group, however, the 71h just blends better and it's surprisingly easy to play in tune. I actually thought about keeping the 71h after playing it with the quartet. It just blends better than the Kanstul. Kanstul is not hard to play in tune, but the 71h is just easier. Trigger range, double trigger range, pedals, they blend and just lock into tune.

I've been playing all of these with a Curry 1.5D, which I'm kind of addicted to right now. My low range used to bottom out at pedal G (with 1.25G size) and now I'm scratching the top of a pedal D when warmed up with the Curry.

Anyway, I'm getting carried away with this. More later.

Thank you everyone for the advice. From what I’ve read I think my best route will be to go double valve and independent. I will continue my search locally. At least that would allow me to try the horn as I would rather not buy sight unseen for fear of it not fitting me or simply not liking the horn. Cheers!!