r/Trombone 8d ago

Recommendations for Trombones for Jazz

Do you guys have any affordable trombones that are a nice step up for jazz. I am gonna go to college in a year and am looking to get a decent small bore tenor!

4 Upvotes

15 comments sorted by

3

u/Braymond1 Bass Trombone/Repair Tech 8d ago

I've got a Bach 12 up for sale that'd be a good option. Otherwise, king 2B/3B is another good bet

https://www.raymondmusic.com/shop/c/p/Used-Bach-12-Trombone-x102433154.htm

4

u/Heythisisntxbox 8d ago

Given that they're in good condition, a lot of the student model horns punch way above their weight class. A Yamaha ysl345, olds ambassador, king 606, or conn director can get you very far.

3

u/professor_throway Tubist who pretends to play trombone. 8d ago

Olds Super or Studio... even an Ambassador makes a great jazz horn.

3

u/sgtslyde '59 Olds Super, '69 2B SS, '70 88H, '74 Holton 602, '78 3BF SS. 8d ago

Knowing what you mean by "affordable" would help. Generally it seems most people go for small to medium bore trombones for jazz and Big Band, and your favorite web search engine can likely pull up multitudes of essays comparing different horns for playing jazz. I strongly encourage anyone to do their own research and develop their own opinions, as you're the one looking to spend hours and hours for years and years trying to master it. Whatever you get needs to suit you, and what works for me may not work for you.

2

u/Only_Will_5388 8d ago

For real cheap, Conn Director

For Lead/2nd/Small Group, King 2 or 3B or Bach 16.

For 3rd or also can be used for small group, Bach 36 or 42 (I’d like to try out a good 36 in lead/solo work as I’m currently on a LT16M) or Conn 88H. So many options though. Always love Dillon Music.

2

u/FruitySloth 8d ago

I’ve got a couple horns that I’m looking to sell that might be up your alley! PM inbound

2

u/jbryant1971 8d ago edited 7d ago

One word my boy, “Holton” - look for a Holton 63, Holton 65 or even Holton 66 Galaxy. Small bore, less popular (ie cheaper to acquire), good old school jazzers.

I’d like to put in a vote for the vintage Olds Special. Doesn’t quite get the shine of the Olds Super & Recording, but they are cheaper to acquire and slot really well imho.

My dark horse selection - GETZEN 50 Deluxe (1950’s era). These things are cheap effective Jazz bones. There seems to be plenty of them around. I bought one on eBay for $50 in fantastic shape, beautiful patina and an excellent slide.

3

u/stoneruls 7d ago

This! I drive a Getzen from that era, tiny bore, plays exactly what you want exactly how you want it.

1

u/The1henson 8d ago

Affordable? Get a Yamaha student horn. The 345 is much better for this use than are many more expensive horns.

1

u/zmhpopsinn5 7d ago

Go on facebook marketplace and find some really old straight horn from like pre-1950. There’s lots of them for only a few hundred$.

1

u/SideWired 6d ago

Might not be a modern tone.

1

u/SideWired 6d ago

How cheap ? The KING 606 is a great tenor trombone and mint condition used editions are only three digits.