Swallow Sousaphones?

[SousaWarrior9]

Has anyone heard of this brand name, or is it just another Chinese re-brand name like Maestro.
I assume since I cant find any info on them through google, and have found no other instruments with that name, that it is low quality, but I wanted to run it by here first.

[tubaforce]

You do remember what happens when we *** -u -me?
What are the specs of the "Swallow" ? As long as it is a JinBao or Huasheng product, with the exception of the smaller JinBao, it could be a decent instrument...
The forum may be able to pin down the instruments origin by the #'s, so post 'em if you can.
Al

[imperialbari]

My immediate reaction to the headline : Don’t do that!

Aside from that it is close to 40 years ago I first was made aware of the Swallow brand. Also then they were sold by non-brass-specialist music stores. When they failed, the seller referred to professional shops, which refused working on them.

But then there always have been useable samples in between. Already before 1980 there were reports on a professional classical trumpeter in London who had used a Chinese made trumpet in his job during 3 seasons without any complaints from section fellows or from conductors. bloke went over a Chinese made Conn 20K copy some 25 years ago, and as I get it that instrument is still in active duty within a school system.

Klaus

[SousaWarrior9]

Don't get me wrong, I have NO problem with Chinese horns. In fact, I'm buying a JinBao 186 clone from tubaforce. I just wanted to know if it's a brand that can be trusted.

[normrowe]

Generally, if it's named after a bird it's cheap junk from China. Jinbao isn't a bird. They're making (mostly, at least) decent instruments. Not the best - yet - but better than average for Chinese companies.

[cjk]

So I guess these Swallow sousaphones don't have spit valves?

[normrowe]

They might within a couple of months.