Best Bass Trombones for Big Band 2026
Perfect bass trombones for big-band - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026
#1
⭐
4.8/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Kühnl & Hoyer Orchestra Symphonic BLZ
Orchestra
Low Brass
Classical
Key Feature:
• Great projection and presence
✓ PROS
- • Deep, powerful low brass voice
- • Great projection and presence
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than tenor trombone
- • Complex valve system to master
Kühnl & Hoyer Orchestra Symphonic BLZBb / F / Gb / D Bass TromboneWith bronze lightweight slideIn-line"Open...
⭐
4.8/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 282552
$8,688
#2
⭐
4.7/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Michael Rath R900 Bass Trombone
by
Michael Rath
Big Band
Wind Ensemble
Orchestra
Key Feature:
• F and Gb attachments extend range
✓ PROS
- • Great projection and presence
- • Deep, powerful low brass voice
✗ CONS
- • Requires significant air support
- • Very large and heavy instrument
Michael Rath R900 Bass TromboneBass TromboneIn-line valvesBore Ø: 0.562" (14.27 mm)Bell: Yellow brassBell size...
⭐
4.7/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 293637
$4,398
#3
⭐
4.9/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Antoine Courtois AC551BHRA Bass Trombone
Low Brass
Big Band
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Great projection and presence
✓ PROS
- • F and Gb attachments extend range
- • Professional ensemble requirement
✗ CONS
- • Limited solo repertoire
- • Complex valve system to master
Antoine Courtois AC551BHRA Bass TromboneBb/F/Gb/Eb/D bass tromboneModel "New York"Dual bore: 14.3 / 14.7...
⭐
4.9/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 450238
$11,319
#4
⭐
5.0/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Schagerl Bass Trombone Aurora
by
Schagerl
Orchestra
Low Brass
Wind Ensemble
Key Feature:
• Deep, powerful low brass voice
✓ PROS
- • Great projection and presence
- • Essential for orchestral bass lines
✗ CONS
- • Limited solo repertoire
- • Complex valve system to master
Schagerl Bass Trombone AuroraBb/F/Gb Bass tromboneBore: 15.2 mmGold brass body: 0.55 mmBell: 250 mmNickel silver slide:...
⭐
5.0/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 482606
$8,535
#5
⭐
4.8/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Sierman ST-81G Bass Trombone
by
Sierman
Jazz
Orchestra
Classical
Key Feature:
• Essential for orchestral bass lines
✓ PROS
- • Deep, powerful low brass voice
- • Essential for orchestral bass lines
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than tenor trombone
- • Complex valve system to master
Sierman ST-81G Bass TromboneBb/F/Gb/D Bass tromboneBore: 14.30 mmBell: 245 mm (9.5")Gold brass bellBody:...
⭐
4.8/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 467839
$3,289
#6
⭐
4.8/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Michael Rath R9 Bass Hagmann
by
Michael Rath
Big Band
Orchestra
Classical
Key Feature:
• F and Gb attachments extend range
✓ PROS
- • F and Gb attachments extend range
- • Professional ensemble requirement
✗ CONS
- • Limited solo repertoire
- • Complex valve system to master
Michael Rath R9 Bass HagmannBb/ F/ Gb/ D Bass TromboneBore: 0.562 x 14.27 mmHagmann valve sectionBell size Ø:...
⭐
4.8/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 349393
$8,084
#7
⭐
4.5/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Yamaha YBL-620 GE Bass Trombone
by
Yamaha
Wind Ensemble
Classical
Jazz
Key Feature:
• F and Gb attachments extend range
✓ PROS
- • F and Gb attachments extend range
- • Great projection and presence
✗ CONS
- • Very large and heavy instrument
- • Requires significant air support
Yamaha YBL-620 GE Bass TromboneBb/ F/ Eb (D)- Bass TromboneOff-set valvesWith separate knobs (as with in-line)Bore Ø:...
⭐
4.5/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 163661
$4,618
#8
⭐
4.5/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Kühnl & Hoyer Orchestra Symphonic
Low Brass
Big Band
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Great projection and presence
✓ PROS
- • Essential for orchestral bass lines
- • F and Gb attachments extend range
✗ CONS
- • Complex valve system to master
- • Very large and heavy instrument
Kühnl & Hoyer Orchestra SymphonicBb / F / Gb / D Bass TromboneOrchestra SymphonicIn-line"Open Flow"...
⭐
4.5/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 229339
$8,578
#9
⭐
4.8/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
S.E. Shires BII 7 GM 10" Bass Trombone
by
S.E. Shires
Big Band
Jazz
Low Brass
Key Feature:
• Great projection and presence
✓ PROS
- • Great projection and presence
- • F and Gb attachments extend range
✗ CONS
- • Requires significant air support
- • More expensive than tenor trombone
S.E. Shires BII 7 GM 10" Bass Trombone10" Bass TromboneWith two tru-bore valvesArtist Custom SeriesIn-line...
⭐
4.8/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 426447
$8,688
#10
⭐
4.7/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Yamaha YBL-835 Bass Trombone
by
Yamaha
Classical
Low Brass
Orchestra
Key Feature:
• F and Gb attachments extend range
✓ PROS
- • Professional ensemble requirement
- • Deep, powerful low brass voice
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than tenor trombone
- • Complex valve system to master
Yamaha YBL-835 Bass TromboneBass TromboneTuning: Bb / F/ Gb/ DBrass bell: 241 mm (9 1/2")Bore: 14.3 mmOuter slide:...
⭐
4.7/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 567563
$6,928
#11
⭐
4.7/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Sierman ST-81 Bass Trombone
by
Sierman
Low Brass
Wind Ensemble
Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Deep, powerful low brass voice
✓ PROS
- • Essential for orchestral bass lines
- • Deep, powerful low brass voice
✗ CONS
- • Limited solo repertoire
- • Very large and heavy instrument
Sierman ST-81 Bass TromboneBb / F / Gb / D Bass TromboneBore: 14.30 mmBell: 245 mm (9.5")Bellbody and outer slide...
⭐
4.7/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 440664
$3,289
#12
⭐
4.7/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
C.G.Conn 112H Bb/F/Eb/D Bass Trombone
by
C.G.Conn
Low Brass
Jazz
Big Band
Key Feature:
• Great projection and presence
✓ PROS
- • Essential for orchestral bass lines
- • F and Gb attachments extend range
✗ CONS
- • Requires significant air support
- • Very large and heavy instrument
C.G.Conn 112H Bb/F/Eb/D Bass TromboneBb/ F/ Gb/ D Bass TromboneWith 2 valvesIn-line valvesOpen wrap designBore:...
⭐
4.7/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 178852
$6,654
#13
⭐
4.8/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Kühnl & Hoyer .563 Bb/F- Bass Trombone
Classical
Jazz
Big Band
Key Feature:
• Deep, powerful low brass voice
✓ PROS
- • Great projection and presence
- • Professional ensemble requirement
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than tenor trombone
- • Very large and heavy instrument
Kühnl & Hoyer .563 Bb/F- Bass TromboneBb/F Bass TromboneOpen designNickel silver water keyBore: 14.3 mmNickel...
⭐
4.8/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 606667
$4,838
#14
⭐
4.9/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
S.E. Shires BII 2R 10" Bass Trombone SET
by
S.E. Shires
Jazz
Big Band
Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Essential for orchestral bass lines
✓ PROS
- • Professional ensemble requirement
- • Great projection and presence
✗ CONS
- • Requires significant air support
- • Very large and heavy instrument
S.E. Shires BII 2R 10" Bass Trombone SET10" Bass TromboneWith two axial valvesArtist Custom SeriesB62-78...
⭐
4.9/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 217525
$8,392
#15
⭐
4.7/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Yamaha YBL-835G Bass Trombone
by
Yamaha
Wind Ensemble
Jazz
Big Band
Key Feature:
• Deep, powerful low brass voice
✓ PROS
- • Essential for orchestral bass lines
- • Great projection and presence
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than tenor trombone
- • Requires significant air support
Yamaha YBL-835G Bass TromboneBass TromboneTuning: Bb/F/Gb/DBrass bell: 241 mm (9 1/2")Bore: 14.3 mmOuter slide:...
⭐
4.7/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 567562
$6,928
How to Choose the Best Bass Trombones
Budget Planning
- • Under $200: Entry-level
- • $200-$500: Intermediate
- • $500-$1000: Advanced
- • $1000+: Professional
Quality Check
- • Sound clarity & tone
- • Build materials & finish
- • Hardware durability
- • Overall craftsmanship
Key Features
- • Your musical style
- • Skill level match
- • Intended use case
- • Brand reputation
Frequently Asked Questions
Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced bass trombones typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.
