Best Tenor Trombones for Big Band 2026
Perfect tenor trombones for big-band - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.5/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Kühnl & Hoyer Bart van Lier .480/88" MKII BZ
Marching Band
Orchestra
Big Band
Key Feature:
• Great for all musical styles
✓ PROS
- • Classic trombone sound and range
- • Excellent for both melody and harmony
✗ CONS
- • Can be difficult to play softly
- • Requires significant arm length reach
Kühnl & Hoyer Bart van Lier .480/88" MKII BZTenor TromboneMaterial: BrassBronze slideGold lacqueredDouble...
⭐
4.5/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 405436
$3,354
#2
⭐
4.5/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Jupiter JTB710RQ Ergonomic model
by
Jupiter
Marching Band
Classical
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Classic trombone sound and range
✓ PROS
- • Excellent for both melody and harmony
- • Classic trombone sound and range
✗ CONS
- • Slide positions require precise intonation
- • Requires significant arm length reach
Jupiter JTB710RQ Ergonomic modelBb Tenor TromboneModel "Ergonomic"Tuning: BbBore: 12.7 mmBell Ø: 203 mmGold...
⭐
4.5/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 400971
$967
#3
⭐
4.5/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Thomann Classic TB525 GL Trombone
by
Thomann
Classical
Big Band
Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Slide technique enables unique effects
✓ PROS
- • Slide technique enables unique effects
- • Classic trombone sound and range
✗ CONS
- • Requires significant arm length reach
- • Large case for transportation
Thomann Classic TB525 GLBb Tenor TromboneBore: Ø 13.34 mm (.525 ") - medium largeBrass bell: Ø 203.00 mm (8...
⭐
4.5/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 288870
$461
#4
⭐
4.7/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Thomann SL-39 Bb- Tenor Trombone Set
by
Thomann
Classical
Marching Band
Blues
Key Feature:
• Great for all musical styles
✓ PROS
- • Great for all musical styles
- • Professional standard instrument
✗ CONS
- • Requires significant arm length reach
- • Large case for transportation
Thomann SL-39 Bb- Tenor Trombone Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Thomann SL-39 Bb- Tenor Trombone*Bb Tenor Trombone*Brass...
⭐
4.7/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 528680
$395
#5
⭐
4.7/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Thomann Classic TB500 GL Trombone
by
Thomann
Jazz
Classical
Blues
Key Feature:
• Great for all musical styles
✓ PROS
- • Slide technique enables unique effects
- • Professional standard instrument
✗ CONS
- • Can be difficult to play softly
- • Requires significant arm length reach
Thomann Classic TB500 GLBb Tenor TromboneMedium bore Ø: 1270 mm (.500")Brass bell Ø: 203 mm (8")Nickel...
⭐
4.7/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 288868
$384
#6
⭐
4.7/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Jupiter JTB710RQ Ergonomic Set
by
Jupiter
Orchestra
Blues
Classical
Key Feature:
• Professional standard instrument
✓ PROS
- • Excellent for both melody and harmony
- • Classic trombone sound and range
✗ CONS
- • Can be difficult to play softly
- • Slide positions require precise intonation
Jupiter JTB710RQ Ergonomic Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Jupiter JTB710RQ Ergonomic model*Bb Tenor Trombone*Model...
⭐
4.7/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 528300
$1,040
#7
⭐
4.7/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Thomann Blacky Bb-Tenor Trombone
by
Thomann
Blues
Orchestra
Classical
Key Feature:
• Great for all musical styles
✓ PROS
- • Slide technique enables unique effects
- • Great for all musical styles
✗ CONS
- • Requires significant arm length reach
- • Can be difficult to play softly
Thomann Blacky Bb-Tenor TromboneBb- Tenor tromboneBrass bellBell diameter: 203 mmML- boreBore: 12.7 mmColour: Black...
⭐
4.7/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 503048
$406
#8
⭐
4.6/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Thomann Blacky Trombone Starter Set
by
Thomann
Big Band
Classical
Blues
Key Feature:
• Excellent for both melody and harmony
✓ PROS
- • Professional standard instrument
- • Slide technique enables unique effects
✗ CONS
- • Requires significant arm length reach
- • Slide positions require precise intonation
Thomann Blacky Trombone Starter Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Thomann Blacky Bb-Tenor Trombone*Bb- Tenor trombone*Brass...
⭐
4.6/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 508601
$461
#9
⭐
4.8/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Yamaha YSL-893DNL Trombone
by
Yamaha
Orchestra
Marching Band
Blues
Key Feature:
• Excellent for both melody and harmony
✓ PROS
- • Slide technique enables unique effects
- • Professional standard instrument
✗ CONS
- • Slide positions require precise intonation
- • Large case for transportation
Yamaha YSL-893DNL TromboneJazz TromboneNils Landgren Sigature modelDetachable yellow brass bell: 190.4 mm (7...
⭐
4.8/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 602049
$4,146
#10
⭐
4.9/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Michael Rath R3 Tenor YB
by
Michael Rath
Marching Band
Orchestra
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Excellent for both melody and harmony
✓ PROS
- • Professional standard instrument
- • Excellent for both melody and harmony
✗ CONS
- • Slide positions require precise intonation
- • Can be difficult to play softly
Michael Rath R3 TenorBb Tenor TromboneBore: Ø 0.525" (13.34 mm)Bell size: Ø 8" (203.50 mm)Bell made of...
⭐
4.9/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 349404
$4,178
#11
⭐
4.7/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Michael Rath R3 Tenor GB
by
Michael Rath
Orchestra
Blues
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Slide technique enables unique effects
✓ PROS
- • Professional standard instrument
- • Classic trombone sound and range
✗ CONS
- • Requires significant arm length reach
- • Slide maintenance essential
Michael Rath R3 TenorBb Tenor TromboneBrassBore diameter: 0.525" (13.34 mm)Bell is made from gold brassBell...
⭐
4.7/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 280021
$4,102
#12
⭐
4.7/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Thomann Classic TB500 L Trombone
by
Thomann
Jazz
Blues
Classical
Key Feature:
• Great for all musical styles
✓ PROS
- • Professional standard instrument
- • Great for all musical styles
✗ CONS
- • Can be difficult to play softly
- • Slide positions require precise intonation
Thomann Classic TB500 LBb Tenor TromboneMedium bore diameter: 12.70 mm (.500")Brass bell diameter: 203 mm...
⭐
4.7/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 288528
$328
#13
⭐
5.0/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Yamaha YSL-891ZD
by
Yamaha
Big Band
Marching Band
Blues
Key Feature:
• Excellent for both melody and harmony
✓ PROS
- • Excellent for both melody and harmony
- • Professional standard instrument
✗ CONS
- • Can be difficult to play softly
- • Large case for transportation
Yamaha YSL-891ZDJazz TromboneReversed type main tuning slideNewly developed balancerBore: 12.90 mmYellow brass outer...
⭐
5.0/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 536957
$3,518
#14
⭐
4.4/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Thomann Classic TB500 S Trombone
by
Thomann
Big Band
Blues
Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Classic trombone sound and range
✓ PROS
- • Professional standard instrument
- • Great for all musical styles
✗ CONS
- • Can be difficult to play softly
- • Slide positions require precise intonation
Thomann Classic TB500 SBb tenor tromboneMedium Bore Ø: 1270 mm (.500 ")Brass bell Ø: 203 mm (8 ")Nickel...
⭐
4.4/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 288557
$406
#15
⭐
4.6/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Kühnl & Hoyer van Lier .480/88" MKII BZ ML
Jazz
Orchestra
Blues
Key Feature:
• Professional standard instrument
✓ PROS
- • Great for all musical styles
- • Slide technique enables unique effects
✗ CONS
- • Requires significant arm length reach
- • Can be difficult to play softly
Kühnl & Hoyer van Lier .480/88" MKII BZ MLTenor TromboneBrassBronze slideDouble bore: 12.2 - 12.4 mmBell Ø:...
⭐
4.6/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 605916
$3,628
How to Choose the Best Tenor 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 tenor 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.
