Before purchasing a trombone, prospective buyers should weigh the benefits and drawbacks. The advantages of buying a new trombone include the lack of defects, the availability of a warranty, and the definition of value. Cons include higher costs, the potential for loss, and the fear of damaging the trombone.
The most significant advantage of purchasing a new trombone is that the instrument is expected to be defect-free. Because any flaws in the trombone can easily be traced back to manufacturing errors, the manufacturer will often repair the instrument for free or offer a discount. Any player needs an instrument that is free of flaws. The difficulties that defects present can easily discourage beginners from playing, and professional players are expected to perform at a level that necessitates an in-tune, easily responsive, and easily controlled trombone.
Another advantage of buying a new trombone is that most manufacturers and music stores provide a one to ten year warranty on the instrument. They may only cover service, or they may cover both service and replacement. A warranty is usually much less expensive than paying for service or replacement without a warranty agreement.
Purchasing a new trombone also means that the instrument’s value can be easily determined. Because the manufacturer or music store understands the materials, manufacturing process, and history of instruments, the formal receipt is frequently accepted as evidence of value at the time of purchase. People who sell used instruments, on the other hand, may not have this understanding, and will often sell the instrument for whatever they can get for it. This is important when the buyer attempts to insure the instrument, as insurance companies frequently require formal appraisals before insuring used musical instruments.
Almost always, the most significant disadvantage of purchasing a new trombone is the price. Used trombones are typically less expensive than new trombones, though the model and quality of the instrument play a role. Some people find that purchasing a new trombone is simply out of their budget. Even if the buyer is able to purchase a new instrument, the higher cost inevitably means that the buyer will be unable to purchase as many trombones, which is a disadvantage for professional players who need the exact tone and projection for various settings.
Because a new trombone is more expensive, the buyer will suffer a greater financial loss if he is unable to master trombone playing. He may be able to partially offset the loss selling the instrument, but he will almost certainly not be able to recoup the full amount he paid for it. As a result, buyers must accept that purchasing a new instrument entails a greater commitment to trombone playing. In the event that the trombone is stolen and not insured, there is a greater risk of loss.
When people spend the extra money to buy a trombone or other instrument brand new, the knowledge of the cost can have a significant impact on how they handle and perform on the instrument. They may be afraid of damaging the trombone, or they may be hesitant to truly open up musically and push the instrument’s limits. This period of psychological hesitancy and restraint, which is especially common among young, inexperienced trombonists, does not last long, but it is something the buyer must push through in order to realize the trombone’s full potential.