Best Bass Trombones for Big Band 2026
Perfect bass trombones for big-band - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.9/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Kühnl & Hoyer Orchestra Signature
Big Band
Jazz
Low Brass
Key Feature:
• Great projection and presence
✓ PROS
- • F and Gb attachments extend range
- • Deep, powerful low brass voice
✗ CONS
- • Complex valve system to master
- • Very large and heavy instrument
Kühnl & Hoyer Orchestra SignatureB/ F/ Gb/ D Bass TromboneExchangeable brass bell Ø: 240 mmWith "open...
⭐
4.9/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 268605
$8,248
#2
⭐
4.4/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Antoine Courtois AC551BHA Bass Trombone
Orchestra
Low Brass
Wind Ensemble
Key Feature:
• F and Gb attachments extend range
✓ PROS
- • Essential for orchestral bass lines
- • Deep, powerful low brass voice
✗ CONS
- • Requires significant air support
- • Very large and heavy instrument
Antoine Courtois AC551BHA Bass TromboneBb/F Bass TromboneModel "New York"Dual bore: 14.3 / 14.7...
⭐
4.4/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 450234
$10,998
#3
⭐
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
#4
⭐
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
#5
⭐
4.5/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Michael Rath R9 Bass Hagmann RB
by
Michael Rath
Orchestra
Low Brass
Wind Ensemble
Key Feature:
• Professional ensemble requirement
✓ PROS
- • Essential for orchestral bass lines
- • F and Gb attachments extend range
✗ CONS
- • Very large and heavy instrument
- • Limited solo repertoire
Michael Rath R9 Bass HagmannBb/ F/ Gb/ D Bass TromboneBore: 14.27 mm/ 0.562"Hagmann valve sectionBell size Ø:...
⭐
4.5/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 349392
$7,698
#6
⭐
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
#7
⭐
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
#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
(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
#10
⭐
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
#11
⭐
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
#12
⭐
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
#13
⭐
5.0/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Thomann proBONE 3 GM Bass Trombone
by
Thomann
Jazz
Classical
Wind Ensemble
Key Feature:
• Deep, powerful low brass voice
✓ PROS
- • Deep, powerful low brass voice
- • Professional ensemble requirement
✗ CONS
- • Requires significant air support
- • Limited solo repertoire
Thomann proBONE 3 GM Bass TromboneBass TromboneIndependent valve arrangementBore: 14.27 mm (0.562")Bell of gold...
⭐
5.0/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 413656
$1,978
#14
⭐
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
#15
⭐
4.5/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Thomann proBONE 3 M Bass Trombone
by
Thomann
Low Brass
Classical
Big Band
Key Feature:
• F and Gb attachments extend range
✓ PROS
- • Essential for orchestral bass lines
- • Great projection and presence
✗ CONS
- • Complex valve system to master
- • Limited solo repertoire
Thomann proBONE 3 M Bass TromboneBass TromboneIndependent valve arrangementBore Ø: 14.27 mm/ 0.562"Bell:...
⭐
4.5/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 298922
$1,749
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.
