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My youngest son is primarily a euphonium player, playing on a Yammy 321. He appears to be heading toward a music ed. career like his older brother and sister. He's been playing trombone in the HS jazz band and usually plays first. When I was teaching, I was able to borrow a Bach 42B for him to use. When I retired in June, I had to give that horn back. Now, he's using a school straight small bore Yammy and he hates it.

So, I was thinking of getting him one for Christmas. I can get good deals on a Yammy 448 and a Weril G880, both of which are medium large bore tenors with trad. wrap F attachments. I can get a better price on the Weril. I have talked with my trombone buddies and none of them have played the Weril.

Also, I was concerned about using a med.-large bore instrument in playing mostly jazz. But, I figure that he might use it beyond just playing jazz someday. I did figure that being that he is doing most of his playing on euphonium, a small bore tenor for jazz would not feel right to him. He doesn't like the straight small bore Yammy he is currently playing.

So, I guess I have 3 questions, and I welcome any comments. Am I correct in my thinking in that even though my son will mostly use this trbn. for jazz, that because he mostly plays euph., a med.-large bore tbn. will be better suited for him than a small bore tbn.? Is anybody familiar with the Weril tenor tbn.? If so, can you compare it the the Yammy? Thanks all!

Since I have no experience with that Weril, take this for what it is...I have a Weril BBb tuba, it's great. Weril has a euph which is exremely similar (!) to the YEP 321. (and the tuba is quite similar to the YBB 103). Chances are the Weril is quite similar to the Yamaha, or at least >A< Yamaha.

May I suggest that you go for the medium bore trombone, for exactly the reasons you give...he may want to play other things on trombone, and unless he's an extremely talented jazz player in an extremely great program, at that stage it won't make a whole hill of beans difference. (Apologies if that's the case...) It seems better to let him experience more trombone playing than to focus on only a "jazz" sound.

again, for what it's worth.

I will answer the questions that I know something about. First, if he had good success with a 42B, he should do fine with a size smaller. However, the Yamaha and Weril trombones you mention have a bore size of .547, which is a large bore, same as the Bach. In other words, expect similar results. I might be inclined to go toward a medium-large (.525) bore for jazz and occasional concert/symphonic playing, but a large bore horn typically is an easier resell. I will leave the rest to others...

Give Steve Dillon or Steve Ferguson (hornguys) a call. Both will offer great advice. If your son will be playing mainly jazz, a .500 or .508 bore is fine. I have a Getzen 3508 wihich is an excellent .500/.508 dual bore horn and has interchangeable leadpipes. A King 2B (2102) or 3B (2103) is worth looking at as are older Conn 6Hs and 4Hs (both hard to find and often very $$$). Kanstul also makes some very good horns these days. Weril trombones remain a work in progress - you may get a decent one and you may not. The same goes for Jupiter. Medium bore horns are great around horns but may be a bit much for lead jazz. The .547 bazookas are for large symphonic work.

The truth is that most 'bone players acquire gear faster than tubists and often have several axes.

You're excused. Next question.

Seriously, what they said. Because of the different characteristics, something like a .525 might be a good compromise to start. But if he's going to be playing lead jazz, well, there are those (including me and my 1963 HN White era in great shape) who think the King 3B is the best lead jazz bone ever made. With a bowl cup, like a 6 1/2, it can edge out. With something deeper, like a Wick 6BS, it can darken up quite nicely for mid-section work.

BTW: a 2B is a .491 bore, a peashooter by todays standards. My brother in law has the one he played in high school, and even though you can play Dorsey all day and night on it and sound good, for me, being used to tuba, it feels like blowing through a soda straw by comparison.

I am not happy at all with the slide on my only Weril bone. Granted it is a cheap soprano trombone and not one of their top of the line models, but the plating on the slide is really really thin. It came from the factory misalighed and when the tech tried to correct it the plating wore off in two spots. In retrospect, I don't know if the problem was the plating or the tech. The little horn plays great but the slide is still suspect.

Instead of a new cheap horn why not go for a used pro horn. If he hates the small bore Yammie and loved the 42B that should give you a direction. I play with a local player a lot who plays the snot out of a dual bore Getzen(.547-.562) for jazz. It ain't the axe, it's the lumberjack.

http://tromboneforum.org/

The guys there will probably be able to give you a lot of good advice.

tbn.al wrote:It ain't the axe, it's the lumberjack.

Yes, but you don't use a logging saw on furniture, unless you're just really into that sort of thing.

iiipopes wrote:

tbn.al wrote:It ain't the axe, it's the lumberjack.

Yes, but you don't use a logging saw on furniture, unless you're just really into that sort of thing.

If you can cut a smooth enough line no one will know or care what kind of a saw you used.

a good all-around horn is a .525 bore horn, if you are only going to own one trombone and will work for 90% of the work that one would play, ei. concert band, brass band, brass ensemble, musical pits, jazz bands, rock bands, solos, church work, etc.
I realize I probably did not answer your question, but I will get off my soap box now...

ken "go ahead flame away" k

Thank you all for your responses. At this point, I will probably go with the Yammy 448. As my son is primarily a euph player who will be auditioning for All-State in the Spring, I want to get him on a tbn. that would feel somewhat close to playing his euph. I totally understand the smaller tbn. for jazz concept, but at this point in his playing career, I feel it is more important to have him on 2 instruments where the blow and feel are pretty close, or as close as can be. PLUS, I can get a really great deal on the new Yammy! Thanks again for all of your responses! BTW - Merry Tubachristmas to all!