Here at Warwick Music Group, we’re committed to helping everyone get their start in music. We believe music matters – and it's our mission to help make your musical journey accessible and fun for everyone!
As the leading manufacturer of plastic trumpets and trombones, we obviously think plastic instruments are pretty fantastic. Not only are they a great entry point for younger players, but they’re also more affordable, surprisingly durable, and fun to use. That’s why we’re here to set out the top five advantages of choosing a plastic instrument, and hopefully help you find the choice that’s right for you.
Before we go on, let’s be honest: there’s no getting around the fact there are also problems with plastic instruments you should consider before making a purchase. You can - and totally should - read our blog post exploring some of the issues with plastic instruments too, and weigh up the positives with the negatives.
We think it’s important to share all the facts with you before you buy: if a plastic instrument isn’t the right choice for you, you definitely shouldn’t buy one!
But for right now? Let's take a look at some of the reasons that plastic instruments are, in many cases, the superior option.
In this article, we’ll discuss:
Are plastic instruments cheap?
Well, that depends entirely on what you mean by “cheap”. If you’re asking if plastic instruments are shoddily made and badly put together, the answer is “absolutely not” - at least they’re not the way we make them! But if you’re asking if plastic instruments are affordable? Well, ours certainly are.
Take a look at our pricing guide below and you’ll see just how low the barrier to picking up music becomes thanks to pInstruments.
| Instrument | pBugle | pCornet | pTrumpet | hyTech | Yamaha YTR-2330 |
| Weight | 250g/ 0.5lbs | 500g / 1.1 lbs | 500g / 1.1 lbs | 650g / 1.4 lbs | 1.08kg / 2.4lbs |
| Comes With | 7C plastic mouthpiece. | Cloth bag. 2B and 4B plastic mouthpieces. | Fabric Bag. 3C and 5C plastic mouthpieces. | Gig bag / backpack. 7C silver plated mouthpiece. Works with any standard trumpet mouthpiece. | Compact zip up bag. TR-11B4 metal plated mouthpiece |
| Colour Choices | 🔴 | 🔴 🔵 |
🔴 🔵 ⚪ 🟡 🟠 ⚫ 🟣 |
Gold/Silver/Black | Gold/Silver |
| Price From | £29.95 | £99.00 | £129 | £149 | £395 |
| Instrument | pBuzz | pBone Mini | pBone | Yamaha YSL 354E |
| Weight | 250g / 0.5 lbs | 500g / 1.1 lbs | 800g / 1.8 lbs | 4.9 kg / 10.8 lbs |
| Comes With | Custom made plastic mouthpiece. | Fabric Bag, Custom made plastic mouthpiece. | Fabric Bag, 6.5AL and 11C plastic mouthpieces. | Yamaha 48 mouthpiece. Moulded case |
| Colour Choices | 🔴 | 🔴 🔵 |
🔴 🔵 ⚪ 🟡 🟠 ⚫ 🟣 🟢 |
Gold/silver |
| Price From | £19.99 | £99.00 | £139 | £746 |
The pBuzz, which is a great starter instrument, is less than £20 and easily the best way for younger children to get to grips with the basics of brass playing.
Then we have the pCornet and pTrumpet, which are £99 and £129 respectively. While we’re certainly not about to pretend that’s an amount of money anyone can simply throw away, let’s compare it to some of the traditional brass trumpets on the market. The Yamaha YTR-2330 is a great bit of kit, but it’s over £400! While there are slightly cheaper options - such as the Thomann TR 620 L for £168 - our plastic instruments offer a blend of affordability and quality that you’re no doubt after.
Now at this point, you might well be thinking: “Mr Blog Author, just because something is affordable doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best option.” And you’d be right! There may well be a better instrument out there for you that isn’t made of plastic and doesn’t come from us. But there’s more to plastic instruments besides being affordable, as you’re about to find out.
Are plastic instruments bad for the environment?
We totally understand that the environmentally conscious readers among you may hear the words “plastic instrument” and immediately recoil in horror. But here’s the good news: our instruments are made from fully recyclable ABS plastic.
In fact, you can rest easy knowing all our products – pBone, pBone mini, pTrumpet, pCornet, pTrumpet hyTech, pBuzz and pBugle – are entirely Carbon Neutral. This means the carbon emissions caused by them have been balanced out by funding an equivalent amount of carbon savings elsewhere in the world.
In contrast, brass instruments can actually be worse for the environment! They use a lot more energy and some environmentally damaging materials such as lead and nickel in their manufacturing processes.
Are plastic instruments easier to learn?
This may shock you, but plastic is actually lighter than metal. Do wonders never cease? This means traditional brass instruments like trumpets and trombones - which are typically quite hefty and difficult for younger players to hold for long periods of time - become much more comfortable. Thanks to plastic instruments like the pBone, little Timmy can play for longer, have more fun doing it, and hopefully get better much more efficiently!
While we can’t outright promise that kids will advance more quickly just because they’re using a plastic instrument over a traditional brass instrument, it’s worth noting that our range has been specifically designed with younger players in mind. From the pBuzz all the way to the pBone, our pInstruments are certainly easier to pick up and get started on - and if an instrument is easier to pick up in the beginning, your child is much more likely to stick with it and improve.
Are plastic instruments durable?
You’d assume that because an instrument is made from plastic, it would fall apart much more quickly than if it were made from, for example, brass. Not so! Not only is plastic lighter than metal, but it can also take much more punishment in the right circumstances. Our entire range is made from a virtually indestructible ABS design, which essentially means our instruments can withstand the most brutal knocks, bumps, and drops.
Conversely, a dropped brass trumpet will almost certainly need a repair, while brass trombones are as fragile as it gets. If you’re after an option that you can leave the kids with knowing you aren’t going to have to keep a constant eye on them, consider a pInstrument.
But don’t just take our word for it. Many of the consumer reviews for the pBone remark that the instrument is tough, durable, and safe from even the clumsiest of children!
You can read a full review roundup of the pBone here.
Do plastic instruments require much maintenance?
One particularly massive advantage of plastic is that it’s fairly hassle-free. The slide on pBone and the valves on pTrumpet require very little maintenance. No water and gunk on the slide is needed and oil on the valves will slow them down. These instruments really have been designed to pick up, play, and enjoy with no fuss and zero stress.
Naturally, this is just another reason pInstruments are far more approachable for newcomers, eliminating much of the upkeep and cleaning that can otherwise dominate a brass player’s time and energy.
Find out more
Convinced a plastic instrument is the right instrument for you? Feel free to browse through our comprehensive learning guide, or take a look at the full range of pInstruments to see if there might be a better fit for you.
And if you’re still not sure, consider taking a look at the following articles:
What Is The Difference Between Plastic And Brass Instruments?
After seven years writing about video games, Ewan made the jump to the music instrument industry to stop his family asking when he was going to get a real job. Mostly, though, he adores music and is passionate about its vital role throughout life - especially in education. He also played guitar in several bands with deeply embarrassing names that won't be revealed here. With a degree in journalism from an NCTJ-accredited university under his belt, Ewan uses everything he learned as a writer over the last decade to help answer any questions you might have about pBone Music in an accessible (and hopefully entertaining) way. Because if you can write 1,000 words on SSDs and ray-tracing, you can explain why plastic instruments are accessible, sustainable, and fun.
