As my user name indicates, I am looking for a used trombone for my son. He is 14 years old, and has played trombone for 3.5 years. His private teacher recommended him to upgrade his horn. We have been keeping an eye on a used one locally. Here is some options:

1. used Bach Omega with F trigger ($400), older, hands down horn, no dings.

2. used Bach Soloist with F trigger ($750), 3 years old.

3. used King 607F with F trigger ($325), some small dings, ~10 years old?

4. NEW Eastman Trombone with F-Attachment, $1160

5. New Jupiter 1236L-O with F trigger, $1739 (out of our price range though).

My son tried some of them, he likes mos of them, we are not sure which one is has the best quality/price value? I went through some old posts in this forum, it seems not all fit a 14 years boys need.

Any comments will be greatly appreciated! I don't play any instrument, so I got no clue at all.

Thanks.

6. another one just came out: used Blessing with a copper Bell and an "f" attachment$800

thanks.

I have a Bach Omega, and I love it. I can't say much about the others, but I've heard a lot of bad things about Blessing horns. I'd say either get one of the two Bach horns, or the King, provided you fix the dents.

Steve, Erik, or anyone else who knows more than me, please add to or correct what I'm saying.

Thanks. my son played with the King 607F tonight, he said not too much improvement from his current Yamaha YLS354, I am not sure though. I don't know anything about instrument.

I'll see if there are more comments, probably I will stay with the two Bach horns.

The blessings are okay. But I am not too convinced about the sturdiness of their construction.

Everything you have listed is a .547 bore (Large). EXCEPT the King 607, it's a .525 bore (medium), which is much more similar to the yamaha which is probably a .508 (small).

If you find a Benge 190F, that's a good horn and exactly like the Bach Soloist. Bach just started making the old Benge horns with the "Bach" name stamped on them.

Does he want a bigger instrument, is there any recommendations that the band diorector makes?

Good Luck.

<Added>

A King 4B would be good too!!! Sorry, I got to plug my choice.

Sorry to disagree with you, but the Omega is NOT a large bore horn. It's a .525 also.
Keep your eyes on the Trombone Forum Classifeds
http://classifieds.tromboneforum.org/
The decision to go small/med/large bore is not one to be taken lightly and should be discussed with his teacher.
The Blessing, if it's the horn I think it is, is their copy of a Conn 88H and isn't a bad horn. Not a great horn either. Honestly, I'd keep looking until you find an OLDER Bach 36 or 42. The newer ones just aren't what they used to be, but the older ones tend to be real players.
Don't worry about cosmetics too much. My 42 is pretty ugly, but it sure does play nice.

Thanks for all the comments. I will keep an eye on claasified.

I am thinking to find one before he goes to audition in Oct 20. He really wants to make all state band.his private teacher is having him to try several new jupitors now, but I am thinking if we can find a good used one will be better than a low to middle price range new one.

for the two Bach, which one is better? is the Omega pretty good one? I read an older poster here to compare omega with others, but how about with soloist?

Thanks. Thanks for the stuggestion, Steve.

the Omega is modeled after the 36. Personally, I believe the 36 is a better player.

Again, I have an Omega, and I really like it. The slide drops after you tilt it about 1/2 an inch from parallel. It also has a great sound. I've never played on a Bach Soloist before, so I can't make a comparison. But anyway, when in doubt, listen to Steve. He knows a lot more than I do.

Thanks Steve, but there is no need to "disagree", you are right...and I must have missed that about the Bach Omega horns. I just always thought they were step-up/intermediate large bore horns.

Thanks, guys.

I know know that Bach 36 and 42 might be the best. but the price might be the best too. I have talked the the local owner of Bach omega, my son can try that out this Sunday. I am thinking the bach omega is a great upgrade for him for now, if he can stay with trombone, he can upgrade to another level later. also this bach omega sounds a good deal ($400), no dent, no dings, the case looks old from the picture, the owner does not know the year made. well, if my son dose not like the omega sound, I have to looking for 36 or 42 then. I talked with his tutor, he said omega is ok for him now.

I will keep you guys posted if I found good 36 and 42 deals, and I will let you know about this bach omega Sunday afternoon after tryout.

Thank yo all, and have a good night.

For the year of fabrication, just check the serial number, Bach have an instrument dating guide on their website :

http://www.bachbrass.com/legend.php

this will be help, we will take a look the omega Saturday afternoon.
Thanks.

we bought that bach omega last Sunday, and we brought it to his private tutor to take a look tonight. this trombone is omega 200, not as good as 100 model, but his tutor said that was a very good instrument, and good enough for my son go through high school. and of course he would need another one if he goes to music major in the college.

well, we still could find the date made of this trombone, the serial number dose not match the number from the website Le-tromboniste recommended.
we will have this trombone serviced, and buy a large mouthpiece, and it is ready to go. my son is happy with it.

You guys are awesome. Thanks all the input. I really appreciate that.

congrats!
I'm sure he'll make lots of great music with it.