Looking to Buy a New Horn

[cdw21]

So, I am currently a high school junior looking to go into music education.
I am looking at buying a bass trombone to help expand my solo repertoire going into college, and hopefully for the upcoming Solo festival. What horns should I be looking at? I currently play a Bach 42K, and absolutely love it. I do understand that nothing beats just trying them out yourself, but I don't even know where to starts in terms of branding besides a few. What are some key points I should look for? Thanks.

[harrisonreed]

I am looking at buying a bass trombone to help expand my solo repertoire going into college, and hopefully for the upcoming Solo festival.

The premise doesn't make much sense. You expand your solo rep by learning new solo pieces. Get a bass if you want to get into performing on bass in a section. Stick with tenor if you want to play solo pieces.

That said, for bass, you can't go too wrong getting a used Kanstul, Conn, or Bach bass. The very best basses I've played have all been Edwards, but these are more expensive.

[NotSkilledHere]

It helps to know exactly where your specific level is. I know obviously you are going to college, but people go into college at many different levels. do you already know what kind of sound you are looking for? or how you want to sound? or are you merely looking to get into bass bone? because I do think there is a difference between having a good bone and a good bone that fits what you need.

That being said, it wont hurt to go and try a variety of horns, but bass bone isnt a cheap sport to play like tenor bones. unless you are just made of money, I would highly suggest looking used market for sure and definitely playing the specific example of the horn you would buy. I would definitely look towards like Bach 50's, the multitude of conn models, Kanstul's, maybe a King Duo Gravis. Edwards and Shires and boutique brands are certainly more expensive. Play many and a lot.

I don't know your budget either. But if you want some good examples of used bass bones, I would recommend you start with expecting to spend over $2.5k. ofc your mileage may vary depending on where you shop. If you are just having money burning a hole in your pocket, feel free to go buy new horns or boutique horns, nobody is stopping you, but I'd HIGHLY recommend you go the used route. no point in trying to find the absolute end all be all horn at this exact time, because your needs will change. and YOU and your playing will change especially early through your educational career.

Buy a good used horn for a decent price, play it, have fun, sell it and lose very little money when you find you need a different horn, and buy another horn that fits what you want.

when you try horns, id definitely recommend taking a professor or friend or just having the shop clerk or specialist listen and help you identify what you are playing because not everything is heard and felt from behind the bell.

[cdw21]

It helps to know exactly where your specific level is. I know obviously you are going to college, but people go into college at many different levels. do you already know what kind of sound you are looking for? or how you want to sound? or are you merely looking to get into bass bone? because I do think there is a difference between having a good bone and a good bone that fits what you need.

I do like to think I play above the average high school player, as I have made my states All State ensemble as a sophomore last year. I really like the kind of tone by Bach 42K produces, but I would mainly like to look at a more jazz oriented bass bone, if that makes a difference. Like I've said, I'm just looking to expand my ranges a little bit going into college. In high school I've been limited to playing lead since freshman year, as we have had tuba players on bass trombone. Thanks for the help!

[cdw21]

The premise doesn't make much sense. You expand your solo rep by learning new solo pieces. Get a bass if you want to get into performing on bass in a section. Stick with tenor if you want to play solo pieces.

My low range on tenor sucks, I do understand that means more practice, but for solos primarily designed of tuba and bass trombone I feel like it helps me be a lot more consistent, with a richer sound. I'm not terribly worried about playing anything high. In terms of ensemble playing, I would like to play bass trombone for jazz ensembles. Thanks.

[harrisonreed]

Yeah, if you want to play bass in ensembles, absolutely go and learn the bass. A used Kanstul is probably the ticket, with a 1.5G or 2G mouthpiece.

But to get a bass because of your low register on solos -- that's probably a dead end.

[TomInME]

If you enjoy and prefer the bass bone side of things and plan to focus on bass in the future, particularly in college, it's time for an independent double valve. Definitely used, for value.

The "flexivalve" studies are really good.

[Chazzer69]

Since Kanstul has been mentioned a couple of times, note there's one for sale in the Classifieds and it seems to be reasonably priced.

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