AudioFu

Best Bass Trombones for Big Band 2025

Perfect bass trombones for big-band - easy to play and learn on

Last updated: October 15, 2025 • Next update: October 22, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Orchestra For Big Band For Classical For Jazz For Wind Ensemble For Low Brass
BRANDS: Yamaha Kühnl & Hoyer
Antoine Courtois AC551BHA Bass Trombone - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Antoine Courtois AC551BHA Bass Trombone

by Antoine Courtois
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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Kühnl & Hoyer .563 Bb/F- Bass Trombone - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Kühnl & Hoyer .563 Bb/F- Bass Trombone

by Kühnl & Hoyer
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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Michael Rath R9 Bass Hagmann - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Antoine Courtois AC551BHRA Bass Trombone - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Antoine Courtois AC551BHRA Bass Trombone

by Antoine Courtois
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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Kühnl & Hoyer .563 Bb/F/Gb/D- Bass Trombone - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Kühnl & Hoyer .563 Bb/F/Gb/D- Bass Trombone

by Kühnl & Hoyer
Orchestra Low Brass Big Band
Key Feature:
• F and Gb attachments extend range
✓ PROS
  • • F and Gb attachments extend range
  • • Deep, powerful low brass voice
✗ CONS
  • • Complex valve system to master
  • • Requires significant air support

Kühnl & Hoyer .563 BbFGB/D- Bass TromboneBb/ F/ Gb/ D Bass TromboneOpen designIn-line system - independent 2nd...

⭐ 4.7/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 255338
$6,378
Buy at Thomann View Details
Michael Rath R9 Bass Hagmann - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Michael Rath R9 Bass Hagmann

by Michael Rath
Wind Ensemble Low Brass Classical
Key Feature:
• Professional ensemble requirement
✓ PROS
  • • Great projection and presence
  • • Deep, powerful low brass voice
✗ CONS
  • • Complex valve system to master
  • • Very large and heavy instrument

Michael Rath R9 Bass HagmannBb/ F/ Gb/ D Bass TromboneBore Ø: 0562" (14.27 mm)Hagmann valve sectionBell size Ø:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 274724
$7,698
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha YBL-835G Bass Trombone - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Schagerl Bass Trombone Aurora - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha YBL-835 Bass Trombone - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sierman ST-81 Bass Trombone - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Kühnl & Hoyer Orchestra Symphonic - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Kühnl & Hoyer Orchestra Symphonic

by Kühnl & Hoyer
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
Buy at Thomann View Details
S.E. Shires BII 2R 10" Bass Trombone SET - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha YBL-421 GE Bass Trombone - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Yamaha YBL-421 GE Bass Trombone

by Yamaha
Big Band Classical Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Great projection and presence
✓ PROS
  • • Great projection and presence
  • • F and Gb attachments extend range
✗ CONS
  • • Very large and heavy instrument
  • • Limited solo repertoire

Yamaha YBL-421 GEBb/ F- Bass Trombone14.3 mm Bore241 mm (9-1/2") Gold brass bellNickel silver slideLacquer...

⭐ 4.7/5 (23 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 163660
$2,638
Buy at Thomann View Details
Thomann proBONE 3 M Bass Trombone - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha YBL-620 GE Bass Trombone - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

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
Buy at Thomann View Details

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.

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