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Hey guys,

So I've been doubling on bass trombone for a few years now, going on seven years or so, and I am now needing to purchase my own horn. I was curious what you guys considered would be a good horn for someone who's a doubler? I'm looking at playing more jazz than anything on this horn, but it would still need to be good for orchestral and other such venues.

Thanks guys!

I find that my Getzen 1052FDR fits the bill nicely for all of my needs. I have used it with a big band, opera orchestra, symphony orchestra, trombone choir and brass quintet and it has served me quite well. The only thing I might try down the road is the larger, dual-bore slide but I honestly prefer the independent setup as I use the Gb valve a lot on its own (hence why I didn't go with the 1062).

I got mine a few years ago at Baltimore Brass and I'd highly recommend checking them out. They usually have a few in stock and I've never played a dud in their store.

Good luck,
Josh Wirt

I double on a Yamaha YBL-613H, and it has been an outstanding horn for me. of course, since this horn is
no longer in production, you may be hard pressed to find one.

As with all horns, I would strongly recommend playing before paying.

If I were buying a doubling horn I would be looking for the most free blowing horn at the cheapest price. IMHO that's what I've been playing for the last 10 years, Besson 943R with Hagmann valves. Dual independent setup that is 99% as free blowing as the conical valves without the mechanical headaches, and shorter throws as well. I like the red brass bell but the gold brass is ok. You can buy them like new for less than $1500 regularly and I saw a decent one on eBay last year go for $900. Here's a link.
http://www.milesaheadmusic.net/index.ph ... tem/id/183" target="_blank

http://www.sheridanbrass.com/" target="_blank

This guy has a ton of GREAT bass trombones. If I was a lot more serious about it, id get one from him. He sells customizable Shires bass trombones along with a bunch of used horns. He can customize you with different bells, leadpipes, etc and has an enormous selection of mouthpieces. My favorite was a Bach .25G. You can get a horn that will not depreciate your tuba playing at all, a must for any tuba player who likes bass trombone!

I found two '60s Holtons - a TR-185 (single trigger) and an early TR-180 (double trigger, dependent). Fantastic horns, both. There's a TR-185 of similar vintage at Dillon's right now.

Another vote for a Yamaha 613H here. Stock horn, nothing to worry about, quite happy to stay in the case for months inbetween uses.

I'm gunna go the other way, and suggest Kanstul. If I remember right, their 1685 comes in CR (controlled resistance) or T (thayers), and has in-slide tuning and a one piece bell.
Their 1585 is in-bell tuning, and as far as I'm concerned is one of the best bass trombones out there. It is a little more expensive, but it's just such an amazing horn. My friend is a (pro) bass trombonist, and said that my 1585T is one of two trombones that he's ever played that he likes (other than his own personal horn)
You should get two valves (there are often low B's in jazz charts), and personally I would suggest Thayers (very free blowing). Mine happens to be silver plated with a spare removable rose brass bell for when I need a darker sound.

I have a Jupiter 740 and abslutely love it. For the money it has been a very good horn and has served me well. I was made fun of for buying the Jupiter but I have no regrets and absolutley no second thoughts about recomending them to anyone else.

I've been giving serious thought to returning to my original instrument. I even went so far as to try a couple of nice bass bones. The Yamaha 830 sounded pretty good. But the Getzen 3062 with double Thayers and a dual-bore slide was just fantastic! Chuck Levins in D.C. sells them for a decent price.

I really like my 1062- I can play it quite heavy or lighten it up nicely. However, Getzen or at least their Eterna basses, have had some severe quality problems.
I went through probably 6-7 before I found one that was playable (and THAT one was bought used from a tubenet member who had too many horns ). My horn still has some slight problems (that I do NOT attribute or blame the seller for in ANY way).

There was a 3062 listed on the trombone forum for $1700 that I was really interested in despite the Getzen thing. I feel I'd play better on an independent horn, but I worry about Thayer neck clearance and I already have what I have.

MY advice for a tuba doubler is to have 2 mouthpieces- one average size one (probably like a Schilke 59 or such, though mine is a Yamaha 60B and I've only played a Schilke 60 and not a 59) and a huge mouthpiece as you'll probably want to play low stuff in trombone choir, some quintet music,...
I had a 2A contra mp for a short while that was quite a lot of fun. It was a bit deep so I sold it to buy a 2C, and then spent the next year looking for one. I'm finally buying one through Dillon's. I'm not really a fan of using a bunch of different mouthpieces (not anymore than 2) on one instrument, but my 60B is pretty fun in jazz band and I plan to use it for "regular bass stuff" and the contra mp for quintet, trombone choir,....

I actually "want" a lighter contra and a tweener like a King 5B/F or such. Part of my interest in the 3062 was that it'd be a nice horn to make one of those G quasi-contras out of (longer gooseneck, different longer bell though I probably would have just tried extending it at first, longer valve slides). I would be super happy with 2 such horns to cover my low and mid-low trombone playing. Maybe I'll get around to that someday, as I really don't need/can't afford a full on F contra.

Thanks for all the input. I found a YBL-613H for about $1750 in town, which I considered. However I can across a Getzen Custom 6032AF in pristine condition for $1800, so I jumped on it. It's been a great horn for the past few hours I have it, and I cannot wait to try it out in big band.

I'll post pics ASAP.

Try a Yamaha 60B in it. It really makes my 1062 sizzle, and the wide rim should be less annoying to a tuba player than a large Schilke or Bach.

You cannot go wrong with one of these to start off, even if you decide to go with a brace or some such thing later on-
http://www.dillonmusic.com/HeleoCart/Pr ... 1535P.aspx

Have fun!