Buying a trombone after a long break

[Lindsey13]

I haven't played in over 10 years and I'm ready to get back into it! I've forgotten practically everything I knew about buying a trombone, so I've been researching almost from scratch.

Here's some options I've narrowed it down to (all currently available used in my budget)

Conn 88H
Conn 50H
Yamaha ysl-643
Bach Stradivarius model 36

Editing to add: thanks for pointing out that these aren't all med. Bore trombones. I'm relearning as I go and I got a few things mixed up. Any other favorites? Please let me know!

I've decided I want a medium bore with f attachment. I'm mostly planning on just playing for fun, and for sure no big formal ensembles like orchestra or big band. If someone randomly needed a trombone player for a gig I'd be down (does that even happen though?)
My thinking would be that a medium bore trombone would be adaptable to a lot of situations and be easier for me to pick back up again. I used to play bass trombone in college, but I want to start with a tenor and see how it goes. I'm also trying to find a used trombone that is under $900. Preferably more like $700, so I know I'm not going to find anything super pretty in that price range. I'd really love to get something unique/vintage if I could find something that was functional and sounds good!

[Fruitysloth]

The 88H and 643 are both large bore horns FWIW. I had an alright interaction with a 50H, but I really love the Bach 36, I’ve used mine in brass/funk bands, orchestras, etc, and it’s pretty flexible depending on the mouthpiece you use.

[atopper333]

I’d go with the Bach 36 depending on condition and ability to try before you by. They are solid and versatile horns. I liked mine and wished I hadn’t parted with…

[Lindsey13]

The 88H and 643 are both large bore horns FWIW. I had an alright interaction with a 50H, but I really love the Bach 36, I’ve used mine in brass/funk bands, orchestras, etc, and it’s pretty flexible depending on the mouthpiece you use.

Ok, thanks! I found all these recommendations from other posts on here with medium bore recommendations. But I have really very little experience with shopping for tenor trombones. In highschool I played whatever I could get ahold of and in college I played bass trombone only.

The Bach 36 I found for sale is on an auction so I'm waiting to see where the price goes!

[Lindsey13]

I’d go with the Bach 36 depending on condition and ability to try before you by. They are solid and versatile horns. I liked mine and wished I hadn’t parted with…

I'm not expecting to be able to try anything before I buy it, so I'm going into this with a good bit of risk. I live pretty much in the middle of nowhere + don't have the budget to buy from an actual instrument store. I'm trying to spend no more than $1000 (and I understand I'll never find anything in very good condition in that price range.) Only planning on buying from places that take returns, but I'll have to pay return shipping if it doesn't work out.

The Bach 36 looks ok, but I know it can be hard to tell from the pictures the seller decides to show. I also know from experience that I've played a lot of really crappy instruments and did pretty well. If I need to do repairs to get a decent trombone into good condition I'm fine with that.

[Posaunus]

Good choice to go with medium bore (~0.525").

The Bach 36B (or 36BO) is a good safe choice for a medium-bore trombone with F-attachment.

As is the Yamaha YSL-640. Yamaha makes consistently-good instruments.

I've never played a Conn 50H ("step-up" model trombone with a 0.522" bore). If in good condition, should meet your needs. (Try before you buy.)

The Conn 88H and (I believe) the Yamaha YSL-643 are large-bore (0.547") trombones. More orchestral, will take a large shank mouthpiece and more air/support to play. Probably not what you're looking for.

[AtomicClock]

The 88H is traditionally a large bore trombone, but a .525 slide is available.

[Posaunus]

The 88H is traditionally a large bore trombone, but a .525 slide is available.

0.525" 88H slides are very rare. Seldom seen on the used market.

O.P. seems to have disappeared, but originally had noted a budget of <$900!

[AtomicClock]

O.P. seems to have disappeared

It's bad enough when the OP deletes the text in the first post. But removing the first post entirely just shouldn't be possible. Proper forum software wouldn't allow misattribution of creation to the #2 poster.

[Lindsey13]

O.P. seems to have disappeared

It's bad enough when the OP deletes the text in the first post. But removing the first post entirely just shouldn't be possible. Proper forum software wouldn't allow misattribution of creation to the #2 poster.

Sorry, I didn't delete the original post, I added an edit to clarify something. Since I'm new to the forum it had to be approved by a moderator, which I think made it disappear for a while. I appreciate all the advice! I'll figure out how this all works!

[hyperbolica]

Another vote for a Bach 36b, but in the sub-$1000 area, there may not be a great choice. You might also look at a King 607f or 608f. These are also 525 bores and turn up used a fair bit. These probably have a lighter, brighter sound than the Bach, but should still be useful for you.

Best of luck.

[Lindsey13]

Another vote for a Bach 36b, but in the sub-$1000 area, there may not be a great choice. You might also look at a King 607f or 608f. These are also 525 bores and turn up used a fair bit. These probably have a lighter, brighter sound than the Bach, but should still be useful for you.

Best of luck.

It does look like the Bach 36 will be out of my budget. It's on auction right now and it's already at the top with several days left. I'll look into the others! Thanks!

[Fruitysloth]

They pop up fairly often, I’d hold out! Another good option would be either a King 3B/F, 3B+F, or the 607/608 models.

[Matt K]

This is a bit of an edge case. What happened is the OP made more posts than could be approved. The software automatically assumes that its a spammer if someone makes more than five posts (including edits) without having the first three approved. It's an easy fix, but one of the admins must manually put things back (to keep spam off the site). I think this is the first time that's ever happened; typically, new members are primarily observers or want to sell/buy something. We don't normally see people making multiple organic posts so quickly!

[Blenky]

Someone above mentioned the Yamaha YSL-640, I returned to playing after 10 years and went the 88H route and it’s still my main instrument, but I needed a small bore when I started doing a lot of quintets and baked off a 36b against the YSL-640. I loved the 36, but the 640 was WAY cheaper and as an amateur I made just as good a sound in it.

The 640 makes a big sound, is VERY easy to play and the build quality is amazing, the valve and slide are just great.

Happy trombone hunting

[Fruitysloth]

Bach 36BO just posted on the classifieds for $900, I’d give it a look!