Tony's Trombones

Here at Maestro's we are pleased to re-launch our subsidiary company 'TONY'S TROMBONES' which during the '90's, was probably the most prominent trombone retailer in the U.K.  A change of policy and the re-location of Maestro's Music had 'side-lined' the trombone company for the past few years.  However, additional retailing space in the store has now enabled us to create a new trombone area, together with an excellent testing room.

Together with life long friend and colleague PAUL COKER, (ex-Principal trombonist, HM Band of the Royal Marines) Tony has painstakingly researched and studied manufacturers worldwide.  After many disappointments and alterations, Tony and Paul are pleased with the last set of samples from the Far East and are launching the BRAVURA TROMBONE Company in January, 2011.

There are 5 models in the Mayflower Bravura range; all have red brass bells and come in a 'Lite-tech' style case.  Both Tony & Paul have been playing the 5 models professionally for some time and the agreed comment from both players is that "They deliver exactly what you would expect from an instrument costing 5 times the price."   We have to pay the factory in US Dollars which is a little unstable, but we envisage the prices to be as follows:

MAYFLOWER BRAVURA TROMBONES

   CE 1   BRAVURA TROMBONE  (STRAIGHT TENOR)    .500" bore  -  £495

   CE 2   BRAVURA TROMBONE  (Bb & F TENOR o/w)    .500" bore  - - £695

   CE 3   BRAVURA TROMBONE  (Bb & F TENOR c/w)    .525" bore  -  - £695

   CE 4   BRAVURA TROMBONE  (Bb & F TENOR o/w)    .547" bore  -  - £795

   CE 5   BRAVURA BASS TROMBONE (Bb/F/Gb/D Bass o/w) .563" bore -£995

Our testers have been very varied in performance standards.  We know that there are far more amateur/semi-pro players.  We have a huge number of brass and military/concert players than we have pro-players.  We asked all these players what they would expect from a trombone.  We then used their replies in our discussions with the factory....Unfortunately we couldn't come up with the one that would "play like Mark Nightingale or Ian Bousfield!"

In repeated tests on Tony's colleagues and pupils, few could tell the difference between the Bravura and the top American & Japanese trombones - praise indeed.

The first showing of these trombones will be at the Wessex area British Trombone Society day. This event is to be held on Sunday, 19th September at Lychett Minster School near Poole, Dorset, when we will be taking orders for the first large delivery in January 2011 - WATCH THIS SPACE!  Tony has some stock of Bravura which he will be selling off at the end of the show and both Tony & Paul will be in attendance to answer all your questions and demonstrate if you don't want to play the instruments yourself.

SHIRES TROMBONES

With Phil Parker's Brass studios, we still act as agents for these bespoke trombones.  Our sales these past 12 months has been good, but the availability still remains difficult.  We in the UK simply don't play enough of these instruments to make us a serious contender in the manufacturing stakes.  Because of the diversity in design of the trombones, it is difficult to stock exactly what you require, but is all available if you are prepared for a short wait.  As Tony is the trombonist, please direct ALL enquiries to him via his mobile - 07966 370962. 

OTHER TROMBONES

Tony buys used trombones from all over the world.  There is quite a large turnover of these instruments - normally sold before they are advertised.  However they are listed in our eBay shop - Crackerjack Music.  Do have a look; we sell many accessories at great prices, Slide-O-Mix, Rapid-Comfort, Reka, Trombotine, Helin designer trombone snakes, etc.  Coming soon will be the fantastic Hetman Hydro-Slide water additive.

So, if you are in or visting the beautiful West Country, do come and say "Hello." (Check our opening hours on the home page of the website)

 With Tony, trombone chat is always welcome! You may meet Linda (Tony's wife) or Kerry (pictured) - You may even get a cup of tea!  If you need to see Tony, please ring first, as he still gigs, teaches in a couple of schools and has a busy private teaching schedule.