Jupiter 438L curved student trombone

[MartyNeilan]

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.

[Gorilla Tuba]

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.

[MartyNeilan]

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?

[hurricane_harry]

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

[ken k]

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