Wessex & Affordable Bass Trombones

[Cookie0329]

Currently in high school and looking too see options for my own bass trombone, since im young and money is tight, somewhere around ≤1.5K. Looking around on Ebay I only really see any for 2k or more, and on these forums the prices are even higher since everything here is Shires or some other super expensive manufacturer. Looking at options like JP and Wessex (or even a worse chinesium instrument) I was wondering if ajyone had experience with these. If anyone knows a place where I can find a more affordable option or has any advice it would be very appreciated. This is not a WTB or anything like that since I just cant afford anything right now.

[harrisonreed]

I'm also interested in thoughts on the Wessex Stearn bass model

[Pezza]

I've played a Wessex, not sure what model.
Played good. Good sound, not too stuffy down low. The only problem I had was I found it hard to hold. Seemed like it was designed for smaller hands! I suppose if you played it all the time you'd develop a comfy way of holding it.

[GabrielRice]

My honest advice to you is to keep saving your money - or beg/borrow from relatives - to buy a used professional model bass trombone. My reasoning is this: if you keep going in music you will probably replace whatever you buy now, and the brands you are referring to will not hold resale value. A Bach bass trombone especially, but also to a large extent Conn, Yamaha, or Holton, will be possible to sell later for at least what you paid for it.

I see a Bach 50B2 on ebay right now listed for $2100, and that's pretty common. I see a 50B3L on Facebook Marketplace for $2150. When older Holton TR-180 and 181 models come up, they are often right around or even under $2000, and they usually play great. I'm personally less of a fan of the Conn 112H, but you sometimes see those in that price range as well.

Yamaha is also worth looking out for, especially the 622 and 613H. In fact, there's a 613G with lots of bids ending on eBay later today - the current bid is $700. The 613G does not have the kind of thick sound you'll get from a Bach, but they are excellent bass trombones, very responsive, easy to play and learn on.

[hyperbolica]

Some of the chinese horns I've played have been great, and some have been terrible. Wessex seems to have perpetual supply problems - most of the horns you might want from their list will require you to wait for a new shipment. I've had about 50/50 luck with Wessex, as far as quality, and new horns that need fixing. Schiller is a company I wouldn't do business with directly, as their return policy seems to show that they know they are selling junk. Mack brass is a good place to do business, especially if you live near eastern Virgina.

Don't be too eager to spend your money. A used Bach, Getzen or Yamaha is probably the best place to start. It's hard to find even used bass bones for less than $2000, but they do show up. Sometimes odd Olds will show up for around $1200, or a very used Bach dependent might list around $1500. But don't get something that's going to make playing a chore, because then you just won't want to play it.

[dukesboneman]

You can sometimes pick up an Older Yamaha (ex.321) Bass for not a lot of cash.
It`s a single trigger but it`s a great horn. I bought mine several years ago for $700

[sf105]

Friend has a JP and is impressed with it.

Depending on your goals, a single trigger horn might work. There's a lot of repertoire that doesn't need the second valve.

[spencercarran]

Use the school horn if they have one and keep trying to save up. Good American dependent basses come on the market semi regularly, and with patience you could find one at an attainable price. IMO given the price of a brand new Chinese horn nowadays you usually aren't saving enough money to make up for the inevitable disappointment in its playing characteristics and resale value.

[Burgerbob]

Yamaha is also worth looking out for, especially the 622 and 613H. In fact, there's a 613G with lots of bids ending on eBay later today - the current bid is $700. The 613G does not have the kind of thick sound you'll get from a Bach, but they are excellent bass trombones, very responsive, easy to play and learn on.

Yup. Love my 613, wish I had had one in college to get better at the instrument on.

[BoomtownRath]

I know of a King 7B that could possibly be for sale, not sure of the value of such an instrument. My band have it in storage.

[Cotboneman]

Don't overlook used Getzen Eterna basses, the 1052 and the 1062. Both are solidly built, though it is admittedly a little rare to see them offered used these days I think.

[Chronos91]

One of the other trombonists in my community band plays the Wessex PBF562 (the King 7B clone). He said it was good for him and that he hasn't had any issues and I also think he sounds good on it. I'm not sure what his other horn is, but he has a bass he said he picked up from a pawn shop for <$1000 so that could be an avenue to try out I suppose.

That said, if the need for the bass isn't urgent, you could maybe save a bit more and find some used options that are in the $1500-2000 region. I have a modded YBL-322 (a previous owner had a valve added so now it's Bb/F/D) that I bought in that range. And that auction that was mentioned earlier with the YBL-613 still has 3-1/2 hours OP. If that doesn't work out and you don't need/want a double valve, I actually see a YBL-322 on eBay right now that's $1,200 + shipping. Another benefit of the used option is that you shouldn't really see any depreciation. If you decide to sell, you should get roughly the same money back out of it.

[DougHulme]

Check this out on ebay - looks like it might be heading for a bargain price. Ideal choice...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/155341275865 ... R4qbgMqvYQ

Kindest... Doug

[GabrielRice]

Check this out on ebay - looks like it might be heading for a bargain price. Ideal choice...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/155341275865 ... R4qbgMqvYQ

Kindest... Doug

Same seller as the 613G that ended last night at a fair but not exactly bargain price of just under $1800.

It's a good ebay strategy to generate interest and activity by starting bidding very low.

[Dennis]

Several years ago at the NABBA contest in Ft Wayne (pre-COVID, so 2019 or 2020) Wessex had one of the Stearns basses in their display and I got to try it and I know a couple of other players I respect who tried it. With the caveat that we were playing it in a show context, the consensus was that it is a good horn. If I didn't already have a very Bach 50T3G, it would be on my short list.

I also had a chance to play the 7B "clone". I would not spend my money on that instrument. (I'm not sure that the instrument is really a 7B clone. There are Kinglish features on it [most obviously the curved bell brace] but the sample I played did not play like a 7B, and the ergonomics didn't fit my rather large hands very well.)

The Stearns model (PBF 565 P) is right at $2000 plus whatever taxes are due in your jurisdiction, so it's right at the top of your price range. It is, however, the only (relatively) low-cost Chinese bass I'd consider buying. The Andreas Eastman bass is probably worth looking at because it is a Steve Shires design and although made in China, Eastman has good process controls.

[CarlVicVogel]

Although I do not play it much now, I had a really great run playing my Holton TR-181 in three different musical organizations. These horns are undervalued, especially for a high school or beginning college student. As it has been pointed out, these can then be sold when you buy your next horn and not lose a lot of money.

Thanks

CarlVicVogel

[haoscv]

I have a Dillon commercial bass trombone as my backup. Not a lot of resonance, but also not the worst horn I've played.

Big fan of the Yamaha horns, I think I played a 612 variant in college for a bit.