AboutColin Murray Expertise I can answer about trombone equipment (instruments, mouthpieces, used horns, etc) and
trombone (especially bass trombone) playing. If I don't know right away, I have an extensive
network of experts to call on. I can't help you get a date.
Experience 25 years as professional bass trombonist (playing in big bands,orchestras, theatre, etc), 20 years as brass repair technician and retail and wholesale sales. Bass trombone instructor at Humber College, Toronto. Creator of website www.mrequipment.net - all about brass and woodwind gear and the people behind it.
Organizations National Association of Music Merchants, American Federation of Musicians, International Trombone Association
Education/Credentials B.Mus, L.Mus (Performance) McGill University, Montreal
Question Hi . I'm looking for a trombone for my son. I think I'd rather buy an old one from a great firm, then the classical Yamaha 354... So I've found 2 F E OLDS from the 20's : One is the Jazz Era Goden Bear, and the other is just Jazz Era. Both are from 1923, and just been repaired... What do you think about it?
I'm also interrested in a King 2B Silver Sonic anniversary from 1993. Can you tel me more about those trombones?
Regards from France.
Answer Bonjour Frederique,
It's true that F.E. Olds made some great trombones, but I don't think I'd recommend a vintage trombone (as you described) for a student. More often than not, the slides on the older horns are heavier, and it's unlikely that the slide action would be as good as what you'd get on your garden-variety Yamaha YSL-354. I think the Yamaha is a wonderful student trombone, and the slide is just about the best out there, which is very important for a student. You don't want to be fighting the slide.
I think an older, professional level trombone would have a better sound quality, but for a beginner, I think ease of tone production (response), intonation and good slide action are more important, all of which the Yamaha has.
If you're looking at buying a used horn online (like Ebay) you should have a good idea about trombones in general and specific makes and models. Buying a good quality student trombone from a local dealer who will support the warranty (and, hopefully, your local band programs) is a much better bet. When you're more familiar with all the trombones that are out there, and you want to start collecting, for example, then by all means go online.
The 2B Silversonic Anniversary was a newer copy of the classic King 2B silversonic made for King's 100th anniversary. It's a good instrument, and marked the return of the Sterling silver bells to King after they abandoned production of them in the early 1980's when the price of silver skyrocketed. If you're looking for value in the long term (not to mention a (probably) better slide and character) try to find a 2B Silversonic from before 1980, and even better, from before 1966 when they were still made by H.N. White. Still, if you can get the Anniversary 2B for a good price and it's in good condition, go for it. (Though, again, not recommended for a beginner- sterling bells tend to dent easily).
I hope that helps.
Colin
www.mrequipment.net
"It's not HOW you play, it's WHAT you play!"
