Read on Twitter
(1) To the editors of the @chicagotribune: Next time a "best" review is published for the trombone, it is wise to have an actual trombonist suggest the best trombone for your next article. >>> The best trombone https://www.chicagotribune.com/consumer-reviews/sns-bestreviews-music-the-best-trombone-20200409-drfzes6n5jb3toehz4pjlsrhdu-story.html
(2) Chicago's local orchestra has a "fairly decent" trombone section who have been playing their instruments for quite some time. You could ask them for their opinion. Thank you for selecting a Bach trombone as your top choice. However...
(3) for the other two instruments, going off an Amazon algorithm of "bestseller" or "most relevant" is actually not giving the consumer a true, clear understanding of the best trombone for a beginner student. All the time, music repair shops are having to fix these...
(4) Amazon instruments causing more headaches for the technician and more money for the consumer. Plus, as strong as plastic can be (and as a cool as a red trombone may look), fixing plastic instruments can be hard to do.
(5) Our suggestion? Since this quarantine is happening, why not reach out to a local brass technician and ask for their opinion. Our website has a directory of technicians in the Chicagoland. https://www.lastrowmusic.com/brass-repair-directory/
(6) Here's a quick list...
Des Plaines - Dana Hofer Brass Repair (Dana Hofer)
Elgin - Brazen Bandworks (Jim Langenberg)
Lemont - Doctor Valve (Steve Winans)
Oak Park - Ron Pinc Brass Repair (Ron Pinc)
Palatine - Fix This! Instrument Repair (Matt Johnson)
Des Plaines - Dana Hofer Brass Repair (Dana Hofer)
Elgin - Brazen Bandworks (Jim Langenberg)
Lemont - Doctor Valve (Steve Winans)
Oak Park - Ron Pinc Brass Repair (Ron Pinc)
Palatine - Fix This! Instrument Repair (Matt Johnson)
(7) And don't worry, we also saw your article on the "best" trumpet. Please read the above thoughts. Yamaha? Yes. The others? No. >>> The best trumpet https://www.chicagotribune.com/consumer-reviews/sns-bestreviews-music-the-best-trumpet-20200409-l4x5dutcbfhbjhrnuhxfavnndq-story.html
(8) Reaching out to local brass musicians allows for much better insight on how parents/students should select those beginner-level brass instruments. Please take this into consideration the next time someone writes a consumer review article.
