Startone PTB-20 Bb/F- Trombone Gold

Mi hijo, por circunstancias, ha empezado trombón este año. Como tiene 7 años, y aun es pequeño, necesitaba un trombón ligero. Puestos a comprar uno de plástico elegimos este con traspositor. Lo tiene 4 meses ya, y aunque lo compramos con miedo a que no fuera robusto para aguantar el trato de un niño no podemos estar más contentos. Es fuerte, y desde lejos parece hecho de metal. La funda que trae también es bastante robusta aunque ligera (fenomenal para él). La vara no es la mejor del mundo, y de hecho casi que funciona mejor sin engrasarla (limpiándola bien), pero para un trombón de esta calidad y precio está muy bien. El profesor nos ha comentado que con que le dure un curso/curso y medio hasta que pueda coger uno de metal podemos estar contentos. Así que, para niños que empiezan, y que aun son pequeños para coger uno de metal es una opción fantástica.

I have played trombone in a brass band for many years and have had King, Conn, Bb/F as well as a Yamaha tenor trombone.
My reason for looking a plastic ABS instrument is due to arthritis in my hands and shoulder I can no longer bear the weight of even my Yamaha which is reasonably light. I was also looking for a Bb F, so I was delighted to find that Thomann offered this instrument with Bb/F as well as being Gold in colour rather than other plastic colours. I have played it at a couple of rehearsals now as well as at home. On the Plus side, the Gold colour looks like a genuine brass trombone so blends in really well with the rest of our band. The sound is generally pretty good but maybe a little harsh when blown louder. The higher register notes are much easier than lower register. I have used both the plastic mouthpiece which came with the instrument, and also a brass mouthpiece, which I prefer. On the negative side, the slide isn’t the greatest. It makes a grinding or ‘scratching’ noise when played, fortunately not noticed in an ensemble but it doesn’t feel smooth like a brass instrument. I have tried it with the recommended lubricant that comes with it, with water/slide oil, and now using it with nothing on at all. It doesn’t seem to make any difference, perhaps frequent use will make it smoother. I think this is the only down side as far as I’m concerned. It is so lightweight, which is why I bought it, and will give me much more flexibility when performing at concerts as it’s very easy to carry in its soft bag.
All in all, an impressive instrument.