TromboneChat

Hey all,
I played a Conn 88HCLK in college. I took and extended break from playing and I'm getting old now and it is on the heavy side. What is your recommendation for a lightweight trombone without an attachment that is well made, sounds good and won't break the bank? Thanks all!

Lightest? A pBone (or other plastic trombone). And they are cheap. I wouldn't look for one to play in a group, though.

Good value? probably a good used Yamaha 354. They play well above their grade and can be found for not too much money.

Some other suggestions? good used pro horns. Too many to list here (and I've posted lots of these lists before).

I'm thinking a Bach LT36, with the lightweight nickel slide and no F-attachment, might fit your bill.

You said "won't break the bank," otherwise I would recommend a Butler or DeCarbo carbon fiber trombone, which are probably the lightest weight trombones you can buy.

But have you considered perhaps just a hand grip to support the horn and take the strain off your muscles? On my Lindberg silver Conn 88H and my Greenhoe Bach 50B, I use the Neotech hand brace, and that takes all the feeling of weight away. The horn just kind of rests there, and I don't feel like I'm holding it up. That might be a cheap and easy solution that solves the whole problem. Here's a link:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0040ZNMNI?re ... asin_title

And here's what they look like on the horn:

If you want a 547 bore, the Conn 8H will probably fit that list. You can get them used, in fact some of the better horns are probably used. If you get one made in the last 15 years or more maybe, make sure it has a T, as in 8HT, for "thin". The Elkharts are already thin.You can order this new with a stock SL2525 slide which is a little bit smaller (525 bore), but I think it makes the 8H even more fun to play.

If you don't mind a smaller horn, the Getzen 3508 (dual bore 500/508) is also really nice and light. These are also available new and used.

The Jupiter XO 1632/1634 are well made horns and are extremely light weight. They can be had for a good price used.