TubeNet

My son is turning 5 in a few months, and he can almost get a pretty decent buzz on a tuba mouthpiece. He sees me with my bass trombone in church and bigband, so he says he wants a trombone. I was thinking of scouring the want ads and auctions and trying to find a Jupiter 438L for cheap. These are the ones with the pistol grip and curved gooseneck to fit over your shoulder. I figure the 55 pound boogerman could probably handle one of these ultra ergonomic student trombones. Jupiter's quality has improved dramatically in recent years, does anyone (especially know-it-all repair dudes) have any thoughts about these unusual horns? If they are total crap, then I may just stick with whatever bottom end bundy, king, or conn I can scare up - but I am afraid he may need another year or two to be able to hold them up.

One of the local music stores rents Jupiter student line instruments. Many parents find that saving 5 bucks a month on a trumpet or trombone is pretty cool.

My observation is that the Jupiters serve their purpose well. They play pretty well and make band a little more affordable. Chances are that they will last at least until the student is ready for a step up instrument anyway. I don't think they are as good of a purchase by a school because they should buy horns to last for generations, but for a beginning player... why not. I think it is a worthwile risk... especially from an ergonomics standpoint.

Related: There is a new trombone out by Yamaha that has an ascending 1 step valve. When you use the valve you play C in first position and B in 2nd... much like a traditional F attachment. You do not get the low register advantages of an F attachment, but it does make it so little arms don't have to reach for 6th and 7th position.

bloke wrote:seems to me, that funny zig-zag in the Jupiter gooseneck is of much more benefit to very large (necked) folk

So, would a redbrass version be of much more benefit to very rednecked folk?

i remember seeing this jazz bone player and he by far the coolest t-bone a ever saw. he had a shoulder rest for a violin grafed onto his horn with 1 thayer valve, and extra weight on the back to perfectly balance it on your shoulder. looked like you could play for HOURS without your shoulder getting sore

I started my son on an alto trombone when he was in Kindergarten. You can find cheap amatis usually for around $300. And now that he is playing tenor (6th grader) I have an alto trombone to play around with!

OTOH, These Jupiters are nice. I use them with my elementary school beginners. the pistol grip is an especially nice feature. I would love one of those on m own horn. But the horn will still be large on a 5 year old.

ken k