What is the best brand of trombone?

Question:

What is the best brand of trombone?

What do you prefer to play? Which ones are the fake brands?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I play on a Bach Stradivarius, myself... The best horn for you, though, is the one you sound best on. When I was looking for a professional trombone, my college prof told me to play on Bach, Benge, and Yamaha (these three for sure...and others if I didn't care for any of these). I played on several models of each horn, and I felt the large bore Bach was the best pick for me. I know great players who love their Yamahas, and some people swear by Benge. I HATED the Benges that I played on...but to each his own... Avoid brands like "Selman"...sounds like "Selmer" (which is a very reputable manufacturer), but "Selman" is trash. "First Act" is basically a toy instrument in my opinion...they are the ones you can pick up at Wal Mart or Toys'R Us...go figure. Anything that you can not research easily online, is probably not a reputable brand.

If you are looking at student level instruments, King, Yamaha, Bach, Bundy or Cleveland (usually older horns) are all decent brands. If buying used, look at slide wear...take the slide apart and look at the inner slide (especially at the bearings...). Look for minimal wear, and NO dents, dings or pits in the slide. Be sure to play on it before you buy it!!! Even if it is new...it may not be what you want. Play on more than one brand, and more than one model, then pick the one that fits you best. Good Luck! Source(s):
Band Director and Trombonist for many years Selmer. I've played Selmer Alto and Bass Trombones (the kind with the thumb valve to drop 1/2 octave).

Very good instruments. If you buy a used one, watch out for corrosion along the slide and deterioration on the seal on the spit valve.