TromboneChat

Hey guys, like the tittle says, I'm looking for a new Bass Trombone. To put in context, I'm a pro player with the tenor trombone, but I want to start playing the Bass, with the possibility of going to an auddition in the future (maybe).
I have a budget around 3500$, and there are two options that comes to my mind.

- Shires q36yr (rotor version)
- Eastman etb849 (axial version of the etb848)

Both are around 3400 - 3600 in my country, Spain, but I haven't tried none of them, and maybe one of you can help me to make this important decision.

Could be another great options, if someone wants to suggest.

P.D. Sorry if my english it's not perfect, I hope it's understandeable at least.

For sure, Shires Q series and Eastman are great instruments, but personally I would buy a used horn, if you like Shires, look at Custom series! Or you can try to find any excellent instrument out there, but used!

what tenor instrument do you play?

there are a lot of good horns out there. It depends on your circumstances.

As a pro, can you get any advice from your colleagues with bass trombones? Maybe try a couple?

I can highly recommend the Rath R900
https://www.thomann.de/gb/michael_rath_ ... ombone.htm

Danitrb wrote: ↑Sun Aug 13, 2023 11:18 am For sure, Shires Q series and Eastman are great instruments, but personally I would buy a used horn, if you like Shires, look at Custom series! Or you can try to find any excellent instrument out there, but used!

The problem it's the budget, custom series are more expensive than I can afford right now, maybe the 2nd hand market it's a good option.
Thanks!

sf105 wrote: ↑Sun Aug 13, 2023 11:45 am what tenor instrument do you play?

there are a lot of good horns out there. It depends on your circumstances.

As a pro, can you get any advice from your colleagues with bass trombones? Maybe try a couple?

I'm playing Bach 42 BOF, the centennial model with yellow bell and heavy slide.
My colleagues are all playing shires, customs and q series. They are great horns but I want an "neutral" opinion, or maybe shires it's the best option, I don't know

MrBadger wrote: ↑Sun Aug 13, 2023 11:55 am I can highly recommend the Rath R900
https://www.thomann.de/gb/michael_rath_ ... ombone.htm

I don't know much about Rath horns, but I haven't heard great things... They are worth the money?

aarontrb wrote: ↑Mon Aug 14, 2023 9:33 amI don't know much about Rath horns, but I haven't heard great things... They are worth the money?

Have you heard bad things? I have only heard good things about the R900 bass trombones.

aarontrb wrote: ↑Mon Aug 14, 2023 9:33 am

MrBadger wrote: ↑Sun Aug 13, 2023 11:55 am I can highly recommend the Rath R900
https://www.thomann.de/gb/michael_rath_ ... ombone.htm

I don't know much about Rath horns, but I haven't heard great things... They are worth the money?

The JPRath bass trombone is quite good and, I believe, worth the money if that's where your budget is and you want to buy new. By all accounts the R900 should be equal to or better than the JPRath.

It sounds like you already know what you want. Shires Q series and Eastman horns are great basic middle-of-the-road horns ("neutral") used by a lot of great players.

Assuming you've already played and tested the Shires Q36YR and the Eastman ETB849, then maybe looking for a dealer who has some new/used or demo horns for sale. Dillon's in NJ and Peninisula Music in CA often have some of each--I don't know whether they are willing to ship to Spain but you can check it out. I know there is a good market in Europe for used horns.

I'd probably go for the 848 first over the 849.

spencercarran wrote: ↑Mon Aug 14, 2023 10:33 am

aarontrb wrote: ↑Mon Aug 14, 2023 9:33 am

I don't know much about Rath horns, but I haven't heard great things... They are worth the money?

The JPRath bass trombone is quite good and, I believe, worth the money if that's where your budget is and you want to buy new. By all accounts the R900 should be equal to or better than the JPRath.

I have two custom Raths (R4F and an R12F) and a non-customisable R900. I am very pleased with them all. I've done a side by side comparison with my Holton TR181, and the Rath is nicer to hold, easier to blow and a bigger/wider sound than the Holton. In my opinion, the R900 is of a far netter design and build standard than the JPRath.

aarontrb wrote: ↑Mon Aug 14, 2023 9:25 am

Danitrb wrote: ↑Sun Aug 13, 2023 11:18 am For sure, Shires Q series and Eastman are great instruments, but personally I would buy a used horn, if you like Shires, look at Custom series! Or you can try to find any excellent instrument out there, but used!

The problem it's the budget, custom series are more expensive than I can afford right now, maybe the 2nd hand market it's a good option.
Thanks!

I think your budget is enough to find a good Shires Custom or any horn like that. What I mean is, personally I would buy a used Custom instead of new Q series. That been said, I have a Q series and it is great instrument, but for obvious reasons Custom is another degree. Today if I could choose again, I would prefer a used Custom.

Burgerbob wrote: ↑Mon Aug 14, 2023 11:32 am I'd probably go for the 848 first over the 849.

Do you think it's better the 848 over the 849? I don't know if axials are better than eastman rotors, but I see that the 848 it's the "famous brother" and the 849 isn't so played...

aarontrb wrote: ↑Mon Aug 14, 2023 3:22 pm

Burgerbob wrote: ↑Mon Aug 14, 2023 11:32 am I'd probably go for the 848 first over the 849.

Do you think it's better the 848 over the 849? I don't know if axials are better than eastman rotors, but I see that the 848 it's the "famous brother" and the 849 isn't so played...

I would just trust lower cost rotors more than lower cost axials. The 848s I've played have been quite good.

If you like Bach, there are a lot of second hand 50s on the market.

Burgerbob wrote: ↑Mon Aug 14, 2023 3:32 pm

aarontrb wrote: ↑Mon Aug 14, 2023 3:22 pm

Do you think it's better the 848 over the 849? I don't know if axials are better than eastman rotors, but I see that the 848 it's the "famous brother" and the 849 isn't so played...

I would just trust lower cost rotors more than lower cost axials. The 848s I've played have been quite good.

Yeah, good appreciation.
I think that buying an eastman maybe it's not the best option, with 600$ more are better options

sf105 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 14, 2023 3:49 pm If you like Bach, there are a lot of second hand 50s on the market.

Not in Spain... There are some bach 50 (rotor) with 40 years with prices around 2500$, wich I think they are overpriced

The Wessex Bass designed by Chris Stearn (Blast on the forum) is currently available:

https://www.wessex-tubas.com/products/p ... 1fd9&_ss=r

I’m not super informed in the shires space, but here’s a used custom on the market rn:
https://www.google.com/shopping/product ... a8QgjYI6hE

BassBoneWaluigi wrote: ↑Tue Aug 15, 2023 8:06 am I’m not super informed in the shires space, but here’s a used custom on the market rn:
https://www.google.com/shopping/product ... a8QgjYI6hE

It’s on reverb as well, 7 day returns

NuhJuhKuh wrote: ↑Tue Aug 15, 2023 4:24 am The Wessex Bass designed by Chris Stearn (Blast on the forum) is currently available:

https://www.wessex-tubas.com/products/p ... 1fd9&_ss=r

In Spain the shipping taxes are 21% of the value of the product, so for 2200$ + 430$ I don't know if it's interesting... I don't know nothing about the horn, it's playing well??