For people buying a trombone, there are pros and cons to consider before deciding to buy new. The pros of purchasing a new trombone relate to the absence of defects, warranty availability and definition of value. Cons include factors such as greater cost, loss potential and the fear of damaging the trombone.
Probably the biggest pro of buying a new trombone is that it is expected that the instrument be free of defects. Any defects that are present are easily traced back to manufacturing errors, so the manufacturer sometimes will repair the instrument at little or no charge or discount the trombone. A defect-free instrument is imperative for any player. Beginners easily can get discouraged and turned off from playing by the difficulties defects pose, and professional players are required to perform at a level that requires an in-tune, easily-responsive and easily-controlled trombone.
Another pro of purchasing a new trombone is that manufacturers and music shops often offer a warranty one to ten year warranty for the instrument. They may cover just service, just replacement or both service and replacement. The cost of a warranty usually is much lower than paying for service or replacement with no warranty agreement.
Buying a new trombone also means that the value of the instrument is easily defined. The formal receipt often is accepted as evidence of value at the time of purchase because the manufacturer or music shop has an understanding of the materials, manufacturing process and history of instruments. By contrast, people who sell used instruments do not necessarily have this understanding, often selling the instrument for whatever they can get for it. This matters when the buyer tries to insure the instrument, with insurance companies often requiring formal appraisals before they will insure used musical items.
The largest con of buying a new trombone is almost always the cost. Used trombones generally are cheaper than new ones, although the model and quality of the instrument come into play. Some people find that new trombones are simply out of their financial reach. Even if the buyer is capable of buying a new instrument, the higher cost still inevitably means that the buyer cannot purchase as many trombones, which is a con for professional players looking for just the right tone and projection for different settings.
The increased cost associated with a new trombone means that the buyer experiences a greater financial loss if he cannot catch on to trombone playing well. He might be able to offset the loss somewhat by selling the instrument, but he likely will not be able to recover the entire amount he paid for it. Buyers thus have to recognize that a new instrument somewhat implies a greater commitment to trombone playing as a result. The potential for greater loss also is present in the instance the trombone is stolen and is not insured.
Sometimes people who spend the extra money to buy a trombone or other instrument brand new let the knowledge of cost drastically influence their handling of and performance on the instrument. They can become afraid of damaging the trombone or be uneasy to truly open up musically to push the boundaries of the instrument. This period of psychological hesitation and restraint, especially common in young, new players, doesn't last too long, but it is something the buyer has to push through to find the full potential of the trombone.