Best Tenor Trombones Under $500 2025

Affordable tenor trombones under $500 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: November 5, 2025 • Next update: November 12, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $200 Under $500 Under $5,000

SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced

GENRES & STYLES: For Jazz For Classical For Big Band For Orchestra For Marching Band For Blues

BRANDS: Thomann Kühnl & Hoyer pBone music Yamaha Michael Rath

Thomann SL-39 Bb- Tenor Trombone Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 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

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Startone SSL-45 Bb-Tenor Trombone Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (45 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Startone SSL-45 Bb-Tenor Trombone Set

by Startone

Big Band Classical Jazz

Key Feature:

• Professional standard instrument

✓ PROS

• Slide technique enables unique effects
• Professional standard instrument

✗ CONS

• Slide maintenance essential
• Requires significant arm length reach

Startone SSL-45 Bb-Tenor Trombone Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Startone SSL-45 Bb-Tenor Trombone*Bb Tenor...

⭐ 4.5/5 (45 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 517393

$362

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Thomann Blacky Bb-Tenor Trombone - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 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

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Thomann Classic TB500 GL Trombone - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 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

Buy at Thomann View Details

Thomann SL-39 Bb- Tenor Trombone - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (18 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Thomann SL-39 Bb- Tenor Trombone

by Thomann

Marching Band Classical Blues

Key Feature:

• Slide technique enables unique effects

✓ PROS

• Professional standard instrument
• Slide technique enables unique effects

✗ CONS

• Requires significant arm length reach
• Slide maintenance essential

Thomann SL-39 Tenor TromboneBb Tenor TromboneBrass bell Ø 205 mmBore: 12.90 mmNickel silver outer slideHard chrome...

⭐ 4.7/5 (18 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 255320

$307

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Thomann Classic TB525 S Trombone - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (34 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Thomann Classic TB525 S Trombone

by Thomann

Big Band Blues Orchestra

Key Feature:

• Great for all musical styles

✓ PROS

• Excellent for both melody and harmony
• Professional standard instrument

✗ CONS

• Slide maintenance essential
• Can be difficult to play softly

Thomann Classic TB525 SBb Tenor TromboneØ 13.34 mm (.525 ") Medium large boreØ 203.00 mm (8 ") brass...

⭐ 4.6/5 (34 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 288560

$494

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Thomann Jazz Bb- Tenor Trombone - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (49 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Thomann Jazz Bb- Tenor Trombone

by Thomann

Big Band Orchestra Marching Band

Key Feature:

• Professional standard instrument

✓ PROS

• Classic trombone sound and range
• Great for all musical styles

✗ CONS

• Can be difficult to play softly
• Requires significant arm length reach

Thomann Jazz Bb- Tenor TromboneBb Tenor TromboneBlack Jazz versionBrass bell Ø 203 mmOuter slide nickel silverChrome...

⭐ 4.9/5 (49 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 242381

$384

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Thomann SL 600 Jazz Bb- Tenor Trombone - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Thomann SL 600 Jazz Bb- Tenor Trombone

by Thomann

Marching Band Big Band Blues

Key Feature:

• Great for all musical styles

✓ PROS

• Slide technique enables unique effects
• Classic trombone sound and range

✗ CONS

• Slide maintenance essential
• Requires significant arm length reach

Thomann SL 600 Jazz Bb- Tenor TromboneJazz Bb tenor tromboneBrass bell Ø: 203 mmNickel silver outer slidesHole Ø 12.7...

⭐ 4.8/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 242384

$362

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Thomann Blacky Trombone Starter Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 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

Buy at Thomann View Details

Thomann Classic TB500 L Trombone - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 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

Buy at Thomann View Details

Thomann Classic TB500 S Trombone - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 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

Buy at Thomann View Details

Thomann Classic TB525 GL Trombone - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 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

Buy at Thomann View Details

Thomann Classic TB525 L Trombone - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.6/5 (39 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Thomann Classic TB525 L Trombone

by Thomann

Orchestra Big Band Classical

Key Feature:

• Excellent for both melody and harmony

✓ PROS

• Great for all musical styles
• Professional standard instrument

✗ CONS

• Requires significant arm length reach
• Can be difficult to play softly

Thomann Classic TB525 LBb-Tenor TromboneBore: Ø 1334 mm (.525") - Medium LargeMessing bell: Ø 20300 mm...

⭐ 4.6/5 (39 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 288558

$362

Buy at Thomann View Details

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.

Best Tenor Trombones Under $500 2025

Thomann SL-39 Bb- Tenor Trombone Set

Startone SSL-45 Bb-Tenor Trombone Set

Thomann Blacky Bb-Tenor Trombone

Thomann Classic TB500 GL Trombone

Thomann SL-39 Bb- Tenor Trombone

Thomann Classic TB525 S Trombone

Thomann Jazz Bb- Tenor Trombone

Thomann SL 600 Jazz Bb- Tenor Trombone

Thomann Blacky Trombone Starter Set

Thomann Classic TB500 L Trombone

Thomann Classic TB500 S Trombone

Thomann Classic TB525 GL Trombone

Thomann Classic TB525 L Trombone

How to Choose the Best Tenor Trombones

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when buying tenor trombones?

How much should I spend on tenor trombones?

Are expensive tenor trombones worth the investment?

What are the best brands for tenor trombones?

Should I buy tenor trombones online or in-store?

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