TromboneChat

Hi - I am shopping for a trombone for my 8 1/2 year old daughter, rising 4th grader. It will be her first time playing trombone (or any instrument, for that matter). While I know it may be better to rent since she's a first-time player, rental prices aren't cheap (for no-name brands). I've found some reasonably-priced used student trombones from reputable companies for sale in my area. They both look to be good shape (no dents in the slide). Looking for some advice on which brand/model is better:

Yamaha YSL-354
Bach TB301

Thoughts?

If it were me I'd buy the Yamaha. Overall better quality and can be used for Marching Band or Jazz Band if she needs to branch out from a better instrument as she gets older.

I agree with Bruce. But they're both better than "no name" or random Chinese trombones.
Good luck.

Yamaha, hands down. There are pros who have one big auditions on that same Yamaha model. Also, since there are so many out there and its still being made, replacement parts come pretty easily. Good luck!

The Yamaha is the gold standard for student trombones

Are the more recent China-made Yamaha YSL-354 trombones up to the same quality as the "gold standard" Japan-made versions?

For that matter, are some Bach TB301 student trombones also made in China?

I had a Bach TB300 (Eastlake, Ohio, mid 1980's ?) that was pretty good, but not as nice as a very similar, nearly contemporaneous King 606 which was very good - better than Yamahas that I've briefly tooted. Sample-to-sample variation and history of used instruments all affect the value and utility of these trombones. Best if you can try before you buy.

Wow, thank you all for the quick feedback. Sounds like it's a resounding endorsement of Yamaha. Now the $100 higher price than the Bach makes more sense.

What about the question about Chinese-made Yamahas? I know that the YSL-354 was manufactured in China. Should that dissuade me? It seems like most of the used models I've seen for sale that are 20 years old or less were manufactured in China.

Also, I have another, similarly-priced option of a YSL-200AD (but according to Yamaha it was sold in 2018 so seems pretty new).

Any real difference between a YSL-354 and a YSL-200AD? I read once somewhere that there's essentially the same horn, just the former is for sales and the latter for rental.

Replace the Bach with the King 606, and you may have some more varied answers. Maybe there's one local to you that you haven't researched yet?

As said above, the Yamaha is the standard by which all student model trombones are measured. I've heard that it's loosely based on the Conn 6H, an older pro level instrument. As long as the inner slide tubes look ok, you could probably buy it sight unseen, but it's still best to try before buying.

The King 606 can be had just as cheap, and I think it has quite a decent tone for what it is. Whatever they were doing in Eastlake building these, it worked. Not as nice as a 2B+ or 3B but more student (and budget) friendly. Check in person if you can.

By buying used, you can resell either for about as much as you paid for it when she's ready to move up. Ideally, they can be kept for marching/pep band season and jazz band in high school.

Good luck on your search!

For what it's worth, the YSL-200AD IS the Yamaha YSL-354. The 200AD was intended to provide a model that would be sold in brick and mortar stores since there were so many 354's available on line.

I have only played one 200AD, and many 354's.
The 200AD was really excellent and I wouldn't hesitate to use it myself. It was actually even better than the older Japanese made 354's I have.

Doug Elliott wrote: ↑Fri Jul 28, 2023 2:26 pm I have only played one 200AD, and many 354's.
The 200AD was really excellent and I wouldn't hesitate to use it myself. It was actually even better than the older Japanese made 354's I have.

Wow that's really interesting, and the first time I've read anything about a person's experience with 354 v 200AD. Would you be able to explain what was better about the 200AD than the old Japanese 354s?

I only spent a few minutes playing it, but the 200AD felt very even and well balanced. Some 354's are a little stuffy and maybe a little heavier. But I didn't have them side by side.

Regarding the Yamaha 354, are those sold in the US made in Jap or made in China?

I wish to know the sound and quality of those made in China ones.

I test one used MIJ 354, it sounds very nice. However for the same amount of money I can get a near new condition made in China 354.

Would humbly ask for you guys' experience with 354. Thanks

Glen

Thanks everyone. I got what I think was a great Yamaha YSL-354. It’s 18 years old - the seller’s kid played it for about 5 years and it’s sat in the case since. A tiny dent in the tuning slide and rim of bell, but the slide is straight, very smooth, and overall it has only tiny surface scratches, no deep scratches or lacquer wear. Interestingly, it says neither”Made in China/Japan” but rather “Assembled in USA”…

My question is about mouthpieces. I want to get a new one. I’ve heard about about sanitizing/washing, etc., but my daughter has celiac and so I just want to get one that’s never been used rather than be worried about her getting sick.

The size sold with it was a 12C size, no brand I recognized. In all my searches online, it looks like most YSL-354s/200ADs had a 12C Bach mouthpiece.

Yamaha sells the YSL-354 with a YAC SL48 mouthpiece.
From what I’ve read it looks like there are differences size in the YAC SL48, Bach 12C, and I’ve also seen a 6 1/2 recommended over the 12C.

What’s the best mouthpiece for a beginner? Reminder, my child is about to turn 9, and of average size.

There is no "best" mouthpiece size for a beginner. They're all individuals, possibly with different needs. Start on what it came with, but keep an open mind about something a bit bigger if it seems like that might help.

Average size doesn't take into account facial features which may change in the next few years.