Planned Delivery: Late January 2027
Last One in Stock!
Bring a new dimension to your trombone playing with the Wessex PB930 Superbone. Combining piston valves with a working slide, this B♭ instrument offers the fingering possibilities of a valve trombone alongside the expressive slides and glissandi of a traditional trombone.
The idea of combining valves and a trombone slide dates back to the nineteenth century. The modern Superbone came to prominence in the 1970s through jazz trumpeter and bandleader Maynard Ferguson, who collaborated with Holton on an instrument that brought both systems together. His recording Superbone Meets the Bad Man, featured on the album Chameleon, showcased its possibilities.
The Wessex PB930 continues this tradition, inviting musicians to explore different ways of shaping a phrase.
Use the piston valves for fast passages, then turn to the slide for glissandi, expressive scoops and subtle pitch adjustments. Exploring both systems opens up alternative approaches to articulation, phrasing and improvisation.
The PB930 is an appealing choice for jazz soloists, big-band musicians and players exploring funk, commercial music or experimental brass performance. Trombonists can discover the possibilities of valve technique, while valve-brass players can begin exploring slide effects alongside familiar fingering patterns.
Whether you want to add a distinctive voice to a solo or approach familiar music from a fresh angle, the PB930 offers plenty to explore.
Pitch: B♭
Playing systems: Piston valves and working trombone slide
Bell diameter: 215 mm (8.46″)
Slides: Cupronickel
Piston valves: Nickel-plated cupronickel
Finish options: Lacquer or silver plate
Included: Lightweight foam-body case and 6¾C mouthpiece
A Superbone is a hybrid trombone with both a working slide and a valve section. Players can explore valve fingering and traditional slide techniques on the same instrument.
Valve-and-slide trombones existed in the nineteenth century. The modern Superbone became particularly associated with Maynard Ferguson and his collaboration with Holton in the 1970s.
It is particularly associated with jazz and improvisation. Its combination of valves and slide also offers creative possibilities for big-band, funk, commercial and experimental music.
Yes. Its working slide allows continuous pitch changes, including glissandi and expressive slides between notes.
A valve trombone changes pitch primarily through its valves. The PB930 adds a working trombone slide, giving the player another way to shape notes and phrases.
Experience with valve fingering provides a useful starting point. Players will still need to adapt to the trombone mouthpiece, register and response, and learn slide technique to explore the instrument fully.
Yes. The PB930 comes with a lightweight foam-body case and a 6¾C mouthpiece.
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For your peace of mind
Unlike most leading brands, Wessex Tubas offers a 3-year warranty against manufacturing defects on all our instruments, and in the unlikely event that you are dissatisfied with your purchase, we offer a full refund and return within 2 weeks.
You can return any item bought from Wessex Tubas within 14 days of receiving it for a full refund, minus shipping costs. However, please contact us before returning your item so we can provide you with return labels and a collection booking with our dedicated courier to ensure the safe return of your item/s. When returning the item, it must be in its original packaging and in ’as received’ condition. Please note that shipping charges apply to refund upon return of your item and any damage will also result in reduced refund.
