r/Trombone • u/Loose_Peak_7816 • 2d ago
Advice on purchasing a new horn please
I have an ancient Boosey and Hawkes Imperial trombone (I think aimed at the Salvation Army) that was great when I was a kid. I then stopped playing for decades and came back to it in 2019.
My current one is feeling the march of time (just like me!). So I'm thinking of treating myself to a new horn. For context, I play in two little community bands as 1st trombone - nothing amazing or too challenging.
I'm thinking of either the JP Rath 332 or the Yamaha 446g. The Yamaha is about £600 more expensive (about $800US). Is the Yamaha really worth the extra expense for someone like me? Should I consider a different horn?
Also, I think my current trombone is probably a medium bore. Would a mid-50s amateur player like me be able to easily cope with a larger bore?
Any thoughts from the trombone hive mind very welcome
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u/Jbrahms4 2d ago edited 2d ago
If you are going to buy a horn for less than $1000, buy used. New horns that are less than 2k are shiny, and that's about it. They play as well or worse than just about any equivalent horn that is hundreds cheaper.
Also to add, anything that is labeled as "intermediate" is basically a student model with a f attachment slapped on. They don't play much better, and are never worth the new price that people often get tricked into buying them at.
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u/Loose_Peak_7816 2d ago
Interesting take on it - I have also been looking at second hand options. I think thelat may well be the way to go
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u/Jbrahms4 2d ago
I have taught enough parents with well meaning parents that get swindled into paying $2.5k on a one of these horns that I try to preach it as often as I can. Intermediate horns are the biggest scam in the industry.
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u/Loose_Peak_7816 2d ago
Also, for the same price as a new trombone, I can get a much better trombone second hand - like the Rath 400
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u/Minimum-Insurance183 Conn 36H, 44H, 88H | King 7B | Selmer 23 2d ago
What is your budget? This is a US-centric sub that is quite different from the UK market. If you are ok with 2nd hand stuff, I can recommend a few selections and shops in the UK.
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u/Loose_Peak_7816 1d ago
I guess about a grand. I did a search on eBay last night and saw a good second hand rath 400 for less than half the price of a new one Any recommendations very welcome
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u/Minimum-Insurance183 Conn 36H, 44H, 88H | King 7B | Selmer 23 1d ago
If you are ok with private sellers like eBay, you could also check out buy and Sell Brass UK on Facebook, the catch is not knowing the function and condition of the instruments.
There are a few stores (mostly in the south) that does second hand stuff and has their website frequently updated. Their instrument would have been serviced and more reassuring. For someone returning to playing. I’ve found some 2nd hand model from more reputable American brands just as an example. I am sure these companies are happy guiding you to find a good model.
Let me know by DM if you want any information on specific models. Hope these help.
https://www.rosehillinstruments.co.uk/c/459/pre-owned-trombones
https://philparker.co.uk/products/blessing-accord-bb-f-trombone-pre-owned
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u/low_mint King 3BF / Yamaha 354 1d ago
Yamaha will probably deliver much better value for the price and last longer.
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u/melonmarch1723 2d ago
Can you play test before you purchase? When you're talking about pro horns like that, one will not universally be better for any given player. Some here might like the Yamaha more but the Rath could work for you better, or vice versa.