- How to Find the Best Sopranino Saxophone - May 31, 2022
- How to Find the Best Contrabass Saxophone - May 30, 2022
- Trumpet Range Guide: Understanding The Entire Trumpet Range - May 19, 2022
Do you love the sound of the trombone and want to play it? You should consider some of the best trombones on Amazon to help start or continue your journey learning the instrument.
There are tons of options out there, but not all of them are worth the money. Keep reading to figure out which model trombone you should choose.
Best Trombones On Amazon
If you want an easy, convenient way to buy a new trombone, you should check Amazon. The retailer may not specialize in trombones, but the selection of models surprised me.
When looking at that selection, though, I had to narrow it down to the best trombones. To do this, I made sure to stick to models from reputable brands, and I tried to include models for beginners and players with some experience.
I also chose trombones at a few different price points. Then, I used all of those criteria to choose or eliminate trombone models to help you choose the best instrument for you.
Yamaha YSL-354
The Yamaha YSL-354 is an excellent student-level trombone, so it’s perfect for players new to the instrument. It features a yellow brass bell that helps project your sound well.
Also, the bore is a good size and uses brass to help you get a fantastic sound. The slide is easy to move back and forth, so you can learn all of the slide positions to play the full trombone range.
While it’s not the cheapest option, Yamaha has an excellent history of making good-quality instruments. You can use this instrument for a while and know it will work great.
Pros
- Easy to play
- Great design
- Nice sound
- Suitable for beginners
- Works well
Cons
- Slightly expensive
Yamaha YSL-445G
If you’re looking to upgrade to an intermediate model, give the Yamaha YSL-445G a try. The bore is a bit bigger than some models, but that can help you get a full tone.
It features a gold brass bell, which can help make your sound a bit more mellow. Meanwhile, the outer slide is brass, and the inner slide is chrome-plated nickel, so the slide can move easily.
You’ll get a mouthpiece and a case to protect your new instrument. While it’s a bit costly, that price is worth it since this is for advancing players.
Pros
- Easy to play
- Great sound
- Good materials
- Slide works well
- Suitable for intermediate players
Cons
- Not for beginners
- A bit expensive
Yamaha YSL-822O
The Xeno series is popular among trombonists and trumpeters, and the Yamaha YSL-822O is a great choice. This professional trombone features a larger bore to help you get a full sound.
It also has an F attachment that allows you to play a bit lower than other trombones. However, the handslide is a bit narrow, so may be uncomfortable for someone with larger hands.
The hand-hammered gold brass bell offers an amazing sound, which can help you improve your playing. Of course, you will need to pay more for this model than a lower-level instrument.
Pros
- Great for professionals
- Sounds fantastic
- Easy to play
- F attachment
- Big bore
Cons
- Narrow handslide
- Quite expensive
Prelude Bach TB711F
Bach is another excellent brand that makes brass instruments, and the Prelude Bach TB711F meets those expectations. It has a large bell to help project your sound across a large room.
The outer slide uses nickel and yellow brass, while the inner slide is nickel with chrome plating. That combination offers a great sound and is easy to play.
This model even features an F attachment, which isn’t super common on beginner trombones. It also comes with a Bach mouthpiece to help you start playing the trombone well.
Pros
- Easy to play
- Great sound
- Nice materials
- F attachment
- Perfect for beginners
Cons
- Not for professionals
Bach TB200B
The Bach TB200B is an amazing upgrade from any student-level horn. It features a yellow brass, two-piece, hand-hammered bell to help you get a smooth, rich sound.
This trombone’s bore is a bit bigger than some bores but not as big as others. That can be a nice compromise if you don’t like a bigger bore but still want a full tone.
The F attachment lets you play a bit lower than some trombones. If you want an upgrade that will last you a while, you can’t go wrong with this model.
Pros
- Suitable for intermediate players
- Easy to play
- Good design
- Full sound
- F attachment
Cons
- A bit expensive
Jupiter JTB730
Another great student trombone to consider is the Jupiter JTB730. This model features a lacquered brass body, and the production process helps with intonation and durability.
It has a brass outer slide and a chrome inner slide to help you move between slide positions. That also makes it easier to get a round tone, and the response is great.
You’ll get a case to protect your new instrument when you aren’t playing. And you can use this trombone for a long time before you need to upgrade.
Pros
- Great for students
- Affordable
- Easy to play
- Nice response
- Sounds excellent
Cons
- No F attachment
Jupiter 528RL
The Jupiter 528RL is an excellent choice if you want to try a valve trombone. Valve trombones still have a slide, but you can use the valves to help play the instrument well.
It has stainless steel piston valves that move up and down easily. The slide also moves smoothly to help you play all of the right notes when you practice.
A rose gold bell offers a warm, mellow sound so that you can fit right in with other low brass instruments. While this model isn’t cheap, it’s not as expensive as you may expect.
Pros
- Easy to play
- Works well
- Nice sound
- Smooth slide
- Plays fast
Cons
- Not for beginners
Jupiter JTB1100F
At the intermediate level, you should try the Jupiter JTB1100F. It’s a nice upgrade from the student Jupiter trombone, and you don’t have to get used to a different brand.
The F attachment allows you to play almost any note you’d need to play on the trombone. Meanwhile, the brass bell helps you get a nice, warm sound that can project far.
It features a medium-sized bore, so it’s not too big or small and can help you get your ideal tone. The model is also nice if you need an upgrade but are on a tight budget.
Pros
- Great upgrade
- Easy to play
- Nice design
- Good materials
- Affordable
Cons
- Not for professionals
Selmer Prelude TB711
I debated including this one because it’s very similar to the Bach Prelude trombone. However, the Selmer Prelude TB711 does have some differences, such as no F attachment.
It comes with a Bach mouthpiece, though it’s different from the Bach mouthpiece you get with the Bach Prelude model. This trombone is great for students who need a simple model.
There’s no F attachment, so you can start learning on an affordable trombone. You can even remove the balance weight to make the instrument as comfortable as possible.
Pros
- Easy to play
- Great for beginners
- Nice sound
- Affordable
- Durable
Cons
- Not for advanced players
How To Buy A Trombone On Amazon
Before you buy the best trombone on Amazon that you can afford, I want to share some tips. Buying an instrument on Amazon is a risk, but you can minimize your chances of getting a bad instrument.
While I haven’t bought an instrument on Amazon in a while, I did choose one successfully a few years back. I learned a lot from that experience, and it can apply to beginners and intermediate players.
Consider some of my biggest tips to help make the shopping and buying process easier.
Consider The Brand
First, you need to make sure you buy a trombone from a reputable brand. I made sure to only include brands like Yamaha and Bach because I know they’re well-known and make good trombones.
Amazon has a lot of super-cheap options that may be okay for a few months. However, most players will outgrow them quickly, if not physically, at least musically.
If you haven’t heard of a brand, do a bit of research on it first. You can ask a teacher or search on Google to see if others like it, and if not, that’s your sign to avoid the brand.
Compare Types
At first glance, it can be easy to think there’s only one type of trombone. However, you can choose from a few different types of trombones, such as tenor, valve, and bass trombones.
I couldn’t find a good bass trombone, but I did include some tenor models and a valve trombone. You can even find some models with an F attachment so that your tenor can function similarly to a bass.
Think about the type of trombone you want to play to help narrow your search. Then, you’ll be able to eliminate any models that don’t meet your needs or preferences.
Know The Seller
One great thing about Amazon is that anyone can sell on it, but that also means anyone can sell on it. That means someone could sell a trombone that’s fake or has other problems.
Before you buy a trombone, consider if the seller is Amazon or a third party. If it’s a third party, consider the name of the seller and if it looks like the name of a music store.
You should also take a look at the seller’s reviews. Then, you can make sure the seller is reliable and that they send good instruments to customers.
Think About Your Playing
Another essential factor is how good you are at the trombone. If you’re new to the instrument, you may want to go with a beginner model to help support you as you learn the basics.
Once you have a bit of experience, though, you may want to upgrade to something better. Then, you’ll be able to get a better sound and perhaps play a wider range of notes.
However, you should also consider if you will play the trombone outside, such as in a marching band. If so, you’ll want to get a durable model that won’t break if you happen to drop it.
Come Up With A Budget
The next thing you’ll need to do is decide how much money you want to spend on your new trombone. They can cost as little as a few hundred dollars or as much as a few thousand.
You can use your level of playing to help narrow your price range. Beginner models tend to be more affordable, while pro instruments cost significantly more.
Figure out if you need any special specs, such as an F attachment. That way, you’ll be able to set a realistic budget and have room to try a few trombones.
Understand The Financing
Another important financial aspect of buying a trombone on Amazon is the option to finance your purchase. If you don’t have the money to pay in cash, you can spread out the cost over a year or two.
I’ve financed an instrument, and it’s nice to not have to pay a ton upfront. However, I made sure to have as much of the total cost on hand, and I had a regular income.
If you don’t have those things, financing a trombone may not do you much good. It’s better to wait and save up a bit more until you have the money to cover the entire cost.
Get A Recommendation
Unfortunately, Amazon doesn’t let you take out instruments on trial. While you can return them, you may not want to deal with returning a bunch of trombones.
To keep that from happening, ask a trombone teacher or player for their recommendation. Ideally, you would get a brand and model suggestion from someone who knows you and your playing.
I got a recommendation from a former teacher, and I ended up loving the model they suggested. Getting a recommendation is particularly important for beginners who may not know what to look for.
Upgrade The Shipping
My biggest tip for buying a trombone on Amazon is to pay extra to upgrade the shipping. It may seem unnecessary, but you don’t want your new instrument to sit on a truck for longer than necessary.
Now, this isn’t as big of a deal as it would be with a violin since violins are wood. The metal of a trombone won’t crack, but it’s still nice to get the instrument as soon as you can.
Faster shipping isn’t that much more expensive than what you’re already paying. And the faster the instrument ships, the fewer chances it has to get lost in transit.
Plan To Be Home
Before you place your order, consider when the trombone will arrive. If possible, try to be home all day or have a friend or relative stay home for you.
That way, someone will be there to sign for the package if that’s necessary. If not, you can still be able to keep an eye out for the trombone and bring it inside when it gets to you.
The sooner you can get it inside, the less time a thief will have to snag it. You also won’t have to worry about extreme cold making the trombone too cold to touch for a while.
Test The Trombone
As soon as your new trombone arrives, you should test it out. I already mentioned that you can return a trombone if you don’t like it, but you need to do that within the return window to get your money back.
Test the instrument the day it gets there or the day after. Then, you can figure out if you like how it feels and sounds and you can decide if you want to return it.
You can test it out over a few days or a week to make sure you’re happy with your choice. And you can go through with the return or keep your trombone and start practicing it more.
FAQs About The Best Trombones On Amazon
Answer: It can be safe to buy a trombone on Amazon, but you need to be careful. Be sure to research brands and models and to buy something within your budget.
Give yourself time to be home for the delivery so that you can bring the trombone inside and test it out. Then, you can make sure you end up with the perfect model for you.
Answer: The most obvious benefit of buying a trombone on Amazon is convenience. You can place an order whenever and wherever it makes sense for you.
That’s nice if you don’t live near a music store that you can visit to test out instruments. And you don’t need to have time during a shop’s hours to go and play the trombone that you want to buy.
Answer: I’d recommend buying a trombone on Amazon for beginners and some intermediate-level players. Those levels will have the biggest selection of trombones on the platform.
Amazon is also a good place for advanced players who don’t need the most professional model out there. And it’s useful for music educators who need to buy a trombone to share between students.
Answer: Despite its convenience, Amazon isn’t always the best place to buy a trombone. Professionals and other serious players may not find a huge selection of trombones that fit their needs.
If you can’t find a suitable model for you on Amazon, don’t force it. You may be able to buy a mouthpiece or some music on Amazon, and you can get your new instrument elsewhere.
Answer: The cheap trombones on Amazon are just that: cheap. But they can be okay for beginners who want to try the trombone for a while but can’t afford to get a better model.
You can spend a few months on the cheap instrument to make sure you will want to play it. Then, you’ll be ready to upgrade to something better, and you’ll know it won’t be a waste of money.
Final Note On The Best Trombones On Amazon
The best trombones on Amazon span different price points, levels, and brands. I’d recommend the Yamaha YSL-354 because it’s great for beginners and lower-intermediate trombonists.
However, you should consider your needs and budget. That way, you’ll be able to figure out which trombone on Amazon is the best one for you.
Looking for more interesting readings? Check out: