Best Bass Trombones for Jazz 2026

Perfect bass trombones for jazz - easy to play and learn on

Last updated: February 11, 2026 • Next update: February 18, 2026

Kühnl & Hoyer Orchestra Signature - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

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
Michael Rath R900 Bass Trombone - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Michael Rath R900 Bass Trombone

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
Michael Rath R9 Bass Hagmann - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Michael Rath R9 Bass Hagmann

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
Kühnl & Hoyer .563 Bb/F/Gb/D- Bass Trombone - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

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

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
Kühnl & Hoyer Orchestra Symphonic - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

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
Thomann proBONE 3 M Bass Trombone - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Thomann proBONE 3 M Bass Trombone

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
Antoine Courtois AC551BHA Bass Trombone - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

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
S.E. Shires BII 2R 10" Bass Trombone SET - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

S.E. Shires BII 2R 10" Bass Trombone SET

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
Yamaha YBL-835 Bass Trombone - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Yamaha YBL-835 Bass Trombone

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
Kühnl & Hoyer .563 Bb/F- Bass Trombone - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#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
Edwards B-454 Bass Trombone 9,5" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Edwards B-454 Bass Trombone 9,5"

Classical Wind Ensemble Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Deep, powerful low brass voice
✓ PROS
  • • Professional ensemble requirement
  • • F and Gb attachments extend range
✗ CONS
  • • Limited solo repertoire
  • • More expensive than tenor trombone

Edwards B-454 Bass Trombone 9.5"Bass TromboneOpen-wrap constructionThayer Axial valvesInterchangeable 9.5"...

4.8/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
B&S MS27-L Bb/F/Gb/D-Bass Trombone - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

B&S MS27-L Bb/F/Gb/D-Bass Trombone

Orchestra Low Brass Big Band
Key Feature:
• Essential for orchestral bass lines
✓ PROS
  • • Deep, powerful low brass voice
  • • Professional ensemble requirement
✗ CONS
  • • Very large and heavy instrument
  • • Requires significant air support

B&S MS27-L Bb/F/Ges/D-BasstromboneBb / F / G flat / D Bass TromboneB & S Meistersinger seriesModel...

4.6/5 (23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Sierman ST-81G Bass Trombone - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Sierman ST-81G Bass Trombone

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
Yamaha YBL-421 GE Bass Trombone - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Yamaha YBL-421 GE Bass Trombone

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
Yamaha YBL-620 GE Bass Trombone - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Yamaha YBL-620 GE Bass Trombone

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

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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