A general rule for purchasing musical instruments is “you get what you pay for.” You will find a plethora of “professional quality” instruments on eBay or elsewhere for the cost of $250-500, but be aware that there is no standard by which a horn can be labeled professional. Brands such as Maestro, Cecilio, Noteworthy, Selman, Berkeley, and Wurzbach sound very reputable, but I have never heard of any musician playing an instrument produced by these companies. These are cheaply produced copies of well-designed instruments from other manufacturers. They are lacking in quality materials, accurate intonation, quality of sound, and mechanical function. Local music stores generally will not repair these instruments, and you can be sure they will break or become damaged. Paying a little more will create fewer problems in the future and provide a more positive musical experience for your young musician.
Trombone
Beginning trombone students have the option to either rent an instrument or buy one. Most band programs have a rental program available through a local music store. If you wish to purchase a student model trombone, I suggest you look for a used Yamaha YSL354 or Bach TB300. These are both higher quality student instruments that retail for about $1000 new, but you can find them used in the price range of $200–$300. These are plentiful on eBay or classified sites (craigslist, Online Trombone Journal...), but please make sure that you are in fact buying a Yamaha or Bach instrument and not a cheaper instrument with a cleaning kit made by one of the aforementioned manufacturers (a common ploy).
Though an inexpensive student trombone is sufficient for the first few years of playing (and marching band), a more experienced student should move up to a better quality instrument with an F attachment. The F attachment (sometimes called a trigger) aids in pitch accuracy during fast paced music and extends the lower register. These instruments also feature a larger tubing diameter and bell for a more robust sound. There are intermediate models with some of these features, but they are often not worth the money. A new intermediate model carries a price that is very close to that of a used professional instrument, but with lower quailty materials and features. Below are some of the professional trombone models I recommend, all of which are available used and new from many online retailers and local music stores. These horns are all large bore (.547) tenor trombones with an F attachment.
-Yamaha YSL–882OR or YSL–882GO
-Bach 42BO (Bach offers a multitude of options, but I prefer the gold brass bell and light weight slide)
Euphonium
Beginning Euphonium students interested in purchasing an instrument should check out the Yamaha 201.
When considering an upgraded instrument, the main feature is the addition of a fourth valve for improved intonation. These instruments also have larger bells and tubing for a broader sound. Intermediate model euphoniums can be a budget-friendly option, particularly models with a side action fourth valve. This is ergonomically much better than the top action fourth valve that is common. Professional euphoniums feature a compensating valve system, which basically adds a second set of tubing to allow for vastly improved intonation in the lower register. These instruments can be very pricey ($5,000-$7,000+), but can often be found used for a fraction of the price. Dillon Music generally has a good selection of used horns (particularly Besson or Yamaha). Below are a list of suggested step-up models including both professional and intermediate euphoniums, all of which are also available with silver plating (which is preferable for sound quality and durability) if your budget allows.
-Besson BE165 (Intermediate Model)
Tuba
If you are going to purchase a tuba, please contact me and we will find an appropriate instrument for you.