Has anyone heard of a conductor brand trombone? Or had anyone dealt with a conductor brand instrument?

I haven't, but I have heard of Conn "Director" trombone. Is it possible that's what you are thinking of?

I started playing on a Director. It was a pretty decent beginner horn, as well as marching band instrument.

Could this be what you are thinking about? http://www.amazon.com/Conductor-Trombone/dp/B001LMZNC6

Dan, I started out playing a blessing student trombone for six years and am just now upgrading. I noticed your contempt for the instruments on some other threads. It really is more about the player though; I have always gotten good tone out of mine (my opinion and my instructors). While they are not the greatest, I think they are a pretty decent starter instrument.

To each his own. I've found, however, that the Blessing bones are horrible, and the euphs are even worse. But hey, if they work for you, more power to you.

No, I was not trying to convince you that they are a good instrument; I do not think they are. I just thought it was rather humourous that you detested them so much and I had been playing one for six years.

I have a student that got a great deal on a Blessing trombone, and at the time it seemed better to get that then to go for one of the cheapo Chinese knockoff brands for roughly the same price (actually a bit cheaper). It sounded great when he played, but right from the start I noticed a few small things. Just didn't seem built all that well. Fast forward a few months... The tuning slide still did not stay in place, the slide was out of whack (kinda started that way and kept getting worse). He did still put out a nice, think, warm sound, but that's more the player then the horn.

If you're looking for something to play on for a year or less before having to replace it, or a horn that may be in and out of the shop for the first few months, go for it.

As for the Conductor... Honestly... Run away. I just don't trust new horns that sell for under $500, and are being sold for under $200. You get what you pay for. You're nearly guaranteed to send it directly to the shop when you get it, and it will go back every month or so under normal use.

Save your money and look for a higher quality used horn to begin on.

Heh, that sounds like me me Erik. I get a nice, warm tone out of my trombone, but the slides are a little strange at times. And I am sure the tone is more related to me than the instrument like you said.

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Of course, I did buy mine online (which is not a problem if you have it immediately checked out by someone professional, but I did not).