TromboneChat

Hi all,

I'm new in this forum. I'm the father of a 12 years old trombone student who has been playing since he was 7. He started in a local brass band last year. He is playing an Olds ambassador borrowed from a friend.

Yesterday I found the possibility to buy this B&S trombone. In Spain, 2nd hand instruments are not as easy (and cheap) to get as it is in the USA, so I decided to buy it.

I don't have enough trombone experience to judge its sound. The slide is smooth and fast, and you can see there are no dents, and the lacquer looks fine. There is a serial number 192167.

I tried to find some info and opinions around it, but I cannot even find its model. I will ask about its quality to his teacher after Christmas holidays but I also want to have some feedback from you. Can you help me to identify it? Any opinion about it? Is it suitable (mid-term) for an student?

Many thanks for all your help in advance!

This is a trombone made in the GDR about 45 years ago. It is perfectly preserved for its age. These trombones were sold in the USSR and the socialist countries of the Eastern Bloc. My parents bought me one in 1978. It has an 8 inch bell and .525 bore. I played “Concertino” by F. David on it when I entered the Gnessin Music Institute in 1982. There they gave me another B&S with a large bell and F-att.
Professionals did not play on B&S. For symphony and opera orchestras, the government bought Bach, Conn, and Holton trombones, which could not be purchased in stores. The stores sold Leningrad large-bore trombones, medium-bore German B&S and Czech small-bore Amati. They were played by amateurs and students.
This B&S is great for teaching.

Didn't know about the GDR history but I have several B&S made trumpets. I ended up with them after a long trek to find a near perfect horn. They have a great track record for producing solid and dependable horns. I hope your son really enjoys this one!