pBone (Red)

About the pBone (Red)

Like the rest of the pBone line, the PBONE1R combines an ABS plastic body and bell section with fiberglass inner and outer handslide tubes fitted with brass stockings, built to the standard dimensions of an entry-level trombone: a .500-inch bore, small shank and an 8-inch bell. At 1.8 lbs it weighs roughly half what a comparable brass tenor trombone does. The handslide is self-lapping, meaning its action is designed to smooth out through regular use rather than needing a technician's break-in. It ships with a carrying bag and two plastic mouthpieces - a 6.5AL and an 11C - covering a couple of different preferences out of the box, while remaining compatible with any standard small-shank metal mouthpiece if a player wants to switch later. The only thing that sets the PBONE1R apart from its siblings is the red finish; bore, bell and slide construction are identical across the color range.

Where to buy

Unfortunately we can't currently find any offers for this instrument. Check back regularly - we update our listings several times a day.

Sound character of the pBone (Red)

Despite being built almost entirely from plastic, the pBone is repeatedly described as sounding remarkably close to a genuine brass trombone - full enough to work in general music class, jazz band, pop band and marching settings alike, rather than coming across as a toy-like approximation of the real thing.

What owners of the pBone (Red) say

Customer reviews across retailers for this pBone line lean positive overall, with the tone and out-of-the-box playability drawing the most praise - more than one reviewer notes surprise at how much it actually sounds like a real trombone given the plastic build. The one consistent gripe is the slide: a bit noisy and stiff on new units, though that's framed by the maker as a feature that improves with use rather than a flaw, and reviewers who've played theirs in report the action loosening up over time.

Playability & handling of the pBone (Red)

The ergonomic grip is sized to work for hands of any size, and the light plastic build is credited with helping younger or smaller players maintain good posture and hold the instrument comfortably through a full rehearsal rather than straining under a brass horn's weight. Retailer customer reviews for this line describe a sound and out-of-the-box playability remarkably close to a real brass trombone - a notable result for an instrument built almost entirely from plastic. The recurring complaint centers on the slide: several owners describe it as noisy and a bit stiff on a fresh, unplayed unit, which lines up with the maker's own claim that the self-lapping slide needs regular use to smooth out. The light weight is consistently welcomed by younger players and anyone who struggles with the heft of a metal trombone.

Recommended accessories & strings for the pBone (Red)

Two plastic mouthpieces - a 6.5AL and an 11C - come included, covering a reasonable range of preferences right out of the box, with a later switch to a standard small-shank metal mouthpiece possible just like on the rest of the pBone range. Standard slide oil applied to the fiberglass-and-brass slide combination, plus occasional cleaning with warm water, is all the maintenance this instrument needs. The included carrying bag is adequate given how robust the plastic construction is; a hard case isn't necessary.

Technical data for the pBone (Red)

The history of the pBone (Red)

pBone's red finish completes its standard color lineup, all built on the identical acoustically tuned plastic trombone design.

About pBone as a manufacturer

The PBONE1R belongs to the same pInstruments range founded in 2010 by UK trombonists Simon Hogg and Steven Greenall, who turned to instrument design after growing frustrated with how heavy, costly and fragile conventional brass instruments could be for young players. The original pBone won Best in Show at NAMM in 2012, success that led the company to expand into the pTrumpet, pBuzz, pCornet and eventually the hybrid hyTech trumpet. Trombonist Jiggs Whigham backed and invested in the brand early on, which is why every pBone tenor trombone - including this red version - carries his name. Since 2020, the brand has also held an independent carbon-neutral certification, keeping sustainability alongside affordability as a core part of its identity.