Where can I find used Altos for under $400?

[tonyycanolli]

As the title suggests, I'm in the market for a used Eb alto trombone just to experiment with, as I have never even played one before. My issue is I'm having a really hard time even finding a market for them. So far what I can find, in my budget, are the John Packer: JP136, (a tad bit over my budget) the Thomann SL-35, the Thomann TEB480, and the "Moz" alto on Amazon. However these are all new and getting any brass instrument, NEW, in this price range is a recipe for disaster. I know you don't need much to just get started on this instrument, but I'd rather spend this amount of money on a nicer, used, bone, just because it's more likely I get a better instrument. The issue is, I just simply can't even find any used alto trombones in the first place. I checked Reverb, Facebook Market Place, Reddit, and many differently worded general Google searches. If anyone knows how to help find what I'm looking for it'd be greatly appreciated.

[MrHCinDE]

Is it daft to suggest buying one of those cheap models you mentioned second-hand from someone on here who bought it and decided alto wasn’t for them? Shouldn’t have much value to lose once it’s already with a 2nd owner.

Or perhaps get a Jin Bao model of some sort and spend a bit of money on a leadpipe upgrade, I’ve seen a couple of those on here with the upgraded leadpipe (Stauffer?) for about $400.

Another option would be a used JP 236.

The unpopular answer is that seeing as your post doesn’t suggest an urgent need, save up until you have about $800-$1000 and buy a used Yamaha 671.

[DCIsky]

Messaged!

[Bach5G]

I don’t know the market that well but my experience with a couple of cheap altos suggests you’re not going to be satisfied. I since bought a couple of JP Rath 236s. One had a poor slide, which might have been repairable, I ended up moving it along. The second, which I bought 2nd hand here in TC, has been just fine. I didn’t think there was a lot to choose between it and a friend’s Y 671. $1165 US. YMMV.

[MTbassbone]

The unpopular answer is that seeing as your post doesn’t suggest an urgent need, save up until you have about $800-$1000 and buy a used Yamaha 671.

+1 . Save a little longer and for the most part you get what you pay for.

[tonyycanolli]

Is it daft to suggest buying one of those cheap models you mentioned second-hand from someone on here who bought it and decided alto wasn’t for them? Shouldn’t have much value to lose once it’s already with a 2nd owner.

Or perhaps get a Jin Bao model of some sort and spend a bit of money on a leadpipe upgrade, I’ve seen a couple of those on here with the upgraded leadpipe (Stauffer?) for about $400.

Another option would be a used JP 236.

The unpopular answer is that seeing as your post doesn’t suggest an urgent need, save up until you have about $800-$1000 and buy a used Yamaha 671.

Your first idea is a great idea actually. My issue was that I simply do not know where to look for used altos at all. So if this is the place, that’s great! My new issue is.. I’m having trouble navigating this site and looking for specific things like this. I’m new to Trombone chat as of yesterday so if you know of any filter or search feature that can just show me used altos for sale it’d be greatly appreciated!!

[tonyycanolli]

The unpopular answer is that seeing as your post doesn’t suggest an urgent need, save up until you have about $800-$1000 and buy a used Yamaha 671.

+1 . Save a little longer and for the most part you get what you pay for.

Although you’re right, I’m simply not interested enough to spend anymore than this. I’m about to start my first year in college next fall so I’m in no rush to actually learn to play an alto, I just want one to mess around with for fun. This is why my budget is so small. And if I get more serious about the alto, I’d be more than happy to spend $1,000+. But for now, I’d like to keep it cheap, even tho I know I’m not getting anything worth praising at this price.

[MTbassbone]

+1 . Save a little longer and for the most part you get what you pay for.

Although you’re right, I’m simply not interested enough to spend anymore than this. I’m about to start my first year in college next fall so I’m in no rush to actually learn to play an alto, I just want one to mess around with for fun. This is why my budget is so small. And if I get more serious about the alto, I’d be more than happy to spend $1,000+. But for now, I’d like to keep it cheap, even tho I know I’m not getting anything worth praising at this price.

https://www.baltimorebrasscompany.com/p ... mbone.aspx

[Bach5G]

“I just want one to mess around with for fun. This is why my budget is so small.”

Alto PBone?

https://www.long-mcquade.com/20977/Band ... --Blue.htm

[MrHCinDE]

Your first idea is a great idea actually. My issue was that I simply do not know where to look for used altos at all. So if this is the place, that’s great! My new issue is.. I’m having trouble navigating this site and looking for specific things like this. I’m new to Trombone chat as of yesterday so if you know of any filter or search feature that can just show me used altos for sale it’d be greatly appreciated!!

Welcome to Trombonechat in that case. I got the point that you want something just to play around with. A pBone might be a good shout actually.

The search function on here is pretty decent, just click on “Search” (you have to be logged-in) and type “alto” as the search term. Go down to search options and select the “(Classifieds) Instruments & Parts” forum only. I’d personally also set the results to display as topics rather than posts, it will be quicker to look through the results.

Good luck in your search.

[MrHCinDE]

You could also write a WTB classified ad, I’ve had pretty good success of people answering those.

[tonyycanolli]

You could also write a WTB classified ad, I’ve had pretty good success of people answering those.

Can you go a little more in-depth on what that is?

[dukesboneman]

Maybe this will helps

I know they are out of business now but Weril made a fine inexpensive Alto. I`m really happy with mine

[BGuttman]

You have to understand that alto trombones were not popular until fairly recently and used instruments, especially cheap used instruments, will be tough to find. If you don't plan to play in public on the thing (or maybe just do Christmas caroling) the pBone Mini may be a good choice.

[MrHCinDE]

You could also write a WTB classified ad, I’ve had pretty good success of people answering those.

Can you go a little more in-depth on what that is?

Whilst logged-in, click on the “(Classifieds) Instruments & Parts” sub-forum, then on the “New Topic” button. Write “WTB Cheap Alto Trombone” in the title and add a few lines of text then you’re good to go.

(WTB - Want to buy)

[WGWTR180]

Sorry I cannot be specific but someone is selling one either here on this page or on FB marketplace or one of the other trombone sites on FB.

[EriKon]

The Thomann Altos are also in that area and they're not too bad in my opinion. Chinese horns of course, nothing high end, but still very solid horns for about 200 bucks. Just played my Thomann Alto again a few days ago and it was more than fine. For the sake of just messing around with it, it will be more than enough. Even played it in concerts already and people were positively surprised when I told them it's a Thomann Alto.

[tonyycanolli]

The Thomann Altos are also in that area and they're not too bad in my opinion. Chinese horns of course, nothing high end, but still very solid horns for about 200 bucks. Just played my Thomann Alto again a few days ago and it was more than fine. For the sake of just messing around with it, it will be more than enough. Even played it in concerts already and people were positively surprised when I told them it's a Thomann Alto.

This is GREAT to know. I was leaning towards this one over every other one. You’re talking about this one right? https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai=DCh ... QDA&adurl= Ive seen many people on this site say this is a great horn (for $200 of course)

[tonyycanolli]

The Thomann Altos are also in that area and they're not too bad in my opinion. Chinese horns of course, nothing high end, but still very solid horns for about 200 bucks. Just played my Thomann Alto again a few days ago and it was more than fine. For the sake of just messing around with it, it will be more than enough. Even played it in concerts already and people were positively surprised when I told them it's a Thomann Alto.

Can you tell me more about your experience with it? How good the slide is? Is it front heavy? Intonation?

[harrisonreed]

The Thomann Altos are also in that area and they're not too bad in my opinion. Chinese horns of course, nothing high end, but still very solid horns for about 200 bucks. Just played my Thomann Alto again a few days ago and it was more than fine. For the sake of just messing around with it, it will be more than enough. Even played it in concerts already and people were positively surprised when I told them it's a Thomann Alto.

Can you tell me more about your experience with it? How good the slide is? Is it front heavy? Intonation?

Here's the thing -- you're about to start your first year of music school as a trombone student, right? Don't waste your money on a distraction that you will just mess around with. I used to be that guy with the toy Jinbao alto at school. It's like being the guy who always carries around a biscuit tin, or only wears bowling shoes when he's out. Hopefully the sound proofing was good on those practice rooms when I was in there.

Save your money for things you definitely will need your first year: music, mutes, slide service, maybe a new mouthpiece. Who knows. If you are doing it right, you won't have time to be messing around on alto just for the sake of messing around.

There will almost certainly be an alto for you to try at your school. If you fall in love with it, you can save up just a little longer and buy something great. Don't buy a toy.

[EriKon]

Takin the overall picture into view, I very much agree with Harrison. So much to work on with just one main instrument in the beginning of the studies. And the big downside of any cheap Chinese horn: You're always buying twice. So, yeah, it might make sense to save the money for now and spend more on it once you're getting serious about it and as long as that goes, try to borrow one.

I think it was Tom (user: imsevise, or sth like) who wrote a very detailed review of the different Thomann Altos. He tried them all and it's worth reading. Should come up when you search for 'Thomann Alto'.

My experience with having played 3-4 different altos in total in my life: It's a decent horn, especially when played with a good mouthpiece setup. Huge difference from a Bach 12C to a Doug Elliott setup (that I bought used from Harrison btw). The slide is not bad, but not a high end thing of course. When slide maintenence is good, I would rate it an 7.5/10. Definitely better than heavily corroded slides and pBone. The intonation to me is actually pretty good for an Alto. Compared to a Bach that I once played and an old German Alto, definitely a lot better. Of course it has some tendencies for some partials that you have to figure out and I guess it very much depends on the individual horn. It's a tad bit front-heavy, not drastically, but definitely recognizably. For what it's worth...

[brtnats]

Buy the TEB480. I’ve got it, it’s the same horn as the JPRath. Thomann was excellent to deal with. It’s a fine alto for everything alto-y. Doesn’t blow my socks off, but definitely a step above everything else at the price point.