Looking for a new Trombone

[BMajor7247]

Hello, everyone. I am seeking knowledgeable opinions regarding the key features to consider when purchasing a professional-level trombone. I currently own a Yamaha 448-G intermediate trombone with a Denis Wick 4AL mouthpiece.

I feel I have outgrown this setup, as I have been playing it since my freshman year of high school. Now in 2025, after dedicating myself throughout high school, I am looking to upgrade to a professional horn, such as a Shires. What are your recommendations and insights?

I am particularly interested in understanding the specific attributes that differentiate professional trombones and how these characteristics can enhance performance capabilities. Any advice on specific models, brands, or features to prioritize would be greatly appreciated.

[BGuttman]

I hate to be Debbie Downer, but you will get more from your current instrument and lessons with a good teacher than from an equipment change. Especially if you haven't even started college.

About the only thing that Shires, Edwards, or Rath will allow is changing out parts to try to compensate for your style. And I suspect there will be a lot of changes to your playing over the next few years.

If you are considering a new instrument for college, I'd recommend waiting until you have had some lessons with your new prof who will be able to guide you much better than a bunch of strangers who have no idea what you sound like.

[flyingcow]

Hello, everyone. I am seeking knowledgeable opinions regarding the key features to consider when purchasing a professional-level trombone. I currently own a Yamaha 448-G intermediate trombone with a Denis Wick 4AL mouthpiece.

I feel I have outgrown this setup, as I have been playing it since my freshman year of high school. Now in 2025, after dedicating myself throughout high school, I am looking to upgrade to a professional horn, such as a Shires. What are your recommendations and insights?

I am particularly interested in understanding the specific attributes that differentiate professional trombones and how these characteristics can enhance performance capabilities. Any advice on specific models, brands, or features to prioritize would be greatly appreciated.

What have you outgrown? What are you looking to change? If you don't have specific needs, I'd say you should figure out a way to try as many horns out to get a feel for what does what. That will tell you what horn, if any, is better than your current horn at this point. No brand of horn is magical, and each have their trade offs. I've played many high end horns that I don't see as significantly different from my old Benge 165. That said, I also played a Shires bass that blew my old Elkhart Conn out of the water in terms of response and flexibility in the low register... I now own both.

[MrKirk]

The beauty of the internet and youtube is you can find so much information on instruments before purchasing them. I would definitely play a large portion of them before purchasing. However you have a Yamaha, which means your likely to gel with the Yamaha Xeno YSL-882 line of instruments. Yamaha's consistency is very good, but there are still outliers. If your pursuing a musical career into college, then your professors will likely have recommendations.

I myself played a 42B closed wrap for many years before I took a hiatus. When I cameback, I was open to any brand and ended up purchasing two trombones after researching, playtesting, and recommendations. I personally ended up with two demo/openbox instruments. If you cannot playtest an instrument yourself, I would attempt to have a qualified professional do it for you to insure the horn does not have issues. All this being said, I played a Bach for many years and purchased an Adams and am wholey satisfied and love it. However I did purchased a new generation Bach LT42BOFG, and it was literally like putting on a glove that fits... they are both great horns, but I definitely "gel" with what I've had many years of experience playing.

[DCIsky]

Hello, everyone. I am seeking knowledgeable opinions regarding the key features to consider when purchasing a professional-level trombone. I currently own a Yamaha 448-G intermediate trombone with a Denis Wick 4AL mouthpiece.

I feel I have outgrown this setup, as I have been playing it since my freshman year of high school. Now in 2025, after dedicating myself throughout high school, I am looking to upgrade to a professional horn, such as a Shires. What are your recommendations and insights?

I am particularly interested in understanding the specific attributes that differentiate professional trombones and how these characteristics can enhance performance capabilities. Any advice on specific models, brands, or features to prioritize would be greatly appreciated.

Instruments that are designated "professional-level" are usually priced accordingly due to the following. I say "potentially" because they aren't always true.

1. Potentially better or more involved R&D. This is self-explanatory.

2. Potentially better metals/alloys. Student-level instruments are usually made with thicker-gauge metals and consist of more yellow brass, while many pro-level horns use different alloys in different places on purpose (i.e. nickel handslide crooks, rose brass tuning slide bows, etc).

3. Potentially better assembly and craftsmanship. Essentially every instrument manufacturer that delineates a professional lineup, outsources the rest of their instruments to China. Some manufacturers even make parts of their "pro" instruments in China (for example, it came out in a thread about Shires Q-series horns that their Custom-series axial valve sections are made by the Eastman plants in China), so at that point, it's really up to the craftspeople working on the horns.

I'm gonna echo the others and say that you 95% don't *NEED* a new instrument. If it makes you enjoy playing the trombone more and you stick with music for your whole life, then sure! But a fancy brand doesn't mean a better horn.

(Context: I wandered through a renowned brass instrument store for two hours recently, trying out around 20 professional-level trombones. That lineup included a Thein tenor, on sale for around $8000. The best sounding and playing horn on display? A beat-to-hell Bach 42G, on sale for $1600. Looks and brand don't matter.)

[LeTromboniste]

Yeah, if you didn't have an instrument, I'd say sure, get something professional grade, but know you'll probably change horns at least once during your studies.

But since you do already have one, I say keep it, start with that, take every opportunity you get to try different instruments. Your teacher's, your colleagues', go to shops, etc. College is the perfect time to experiment with different instruments. And as your technique and personal style start settling down, then look for something that really fits you, if you're unhappy with what you have at that point. There's just no point in spending money on a new horn now that you'll likely want to replace in two years anyway. If you really want to change now I would say get a used Conn 88, Bach 42, Benge 190, Yamaha Xeno. Something that's good but won't break the bank and that you can sell for the same price when you next want to upgrade.

I also always advise young students to stay away from custom instruments like Shires, Edwards. Because 1) as a young player you usually don't have the tools necessary to really know what you need from the horn, and so most of the time you'd end up with a custom set-up that's either already not optimal for you now, and in any case is unlikely to be optimal for the player you'll be in 2, 3, 4 years. 2) And because when you want to switch and try to sell it, nobody wants exactly the set up you're selling, everyone knows they'll have to spend more money on replacement parts for the things they want that you don't have, so nobody is willing to pay full value. Or you have to wait forever for the right buyer..

[Posaunus]

I also always advise young students to stay away from custom instruments like Shires, Edwards. Because 1) as a young player you usually don't have the tools necessary to really know what you need from the horn, and so most of the time you'd end up with a custom set-up that's either already not optimal for you now, and in any case is unlikely to be optimal for the player you'll be in 2, 3, 4 years. 2) And because when you want to switch and try to sell it, nobody wants exactly the set up you're selling, everyone knows they'll have to spend more money on replacement parts for the things they want that you don't have, so nobody is willing to pay full value. Or you have to wait forever for the right buyer..

Good advice, Maximilien. Can't count how many "For Sale" listings I've seen here on TC for complex custom set-ups (often Shires or Edwards) that apparently are no longe suitable for the original purchaser. These assemblies often get "parted out" at a loss - or the listings last indefinitely. Not a good investment for a young trombonist.

[zoltanhalasz]

I used to own a yamaha 448g till end of 2024. I am an amateur, intermediate level player. After selling my yamaha I decided to upgrade to an y fort 663 gl. It was worth it, the new one plays like a pro horn ( you can find reviews for the 763 gl on this forum).

[PrideOfCajunlandTrombonist]

Are you looking for a new new horn or a new used horn?