improvements on horn made in China

[MackBrass]

I am starting this thread from a retail or/consumer perspective.

First thing is we have to look at some history and Yamaha come to mind first. 30 years ago Yamaha was known mainly for school level horns, certainly not the stuff pros would use. When they engaged with the pros on changes and designs all of a sudden they really took off and today they make some of the best products in the world. Do you think they made copies of othe name brands? You bet and they still do and they do it well.

Now for China, the are where or even a little a head of where Yamaha was and their products keep improving. Why is the question? Its called feedback from pros. The 200 model I sell is the best in that model due to three small changes I requested to make it better. If there are no requests by dealers to make improvments and the model sucks, it will continue to be sold until the demand is no longer there.

I asked for a few e-flat trumpets on an order and my account rep said they did not recommend it and removed it from my order. The could have sold them to me and just let me take the hit but did the opposite.

We have sold over 1100 instruments in less than three years, I have only had 6 returns and paid 3 very small repair bills, all under 50 bucks each. These companies don't just make Jinbao brands, horns from all over the world are being made to ship back to the US and abroad to have their name put on them.

It's really easy to poke holes and paint with a broad brush based on a few bad experiences. Let me ask this question, what tech makes a full time living trying to fix horns made in China? Answer is not one.

Time will tell and based on Jinbao their story is already being told. They have been doing this for 30 years. Who knows, that 30 year old MW or Miraphone or PT may have been made in China.

Some will say the only good stuff they make are copies Well so what? Take a look at the Miraphone 188 and compare it to the MW 30 32, which came first. What we are seeing is a spin and it will only get better.

Alough I am a very proud dealer, what makes my every day is hearing from a student, school and yes plenty of pros say holy sh!T, I cant believe the value, quality and sound from these horns.

It's just a matter of time when someone wins a job on a horn made in China.

JMST

[Wyvern]

Tom, you are very right. The Chinese are working hard to improve. When I visited the Jinbao factory earlier this year the production manager really took serious my feedback and is making real effort to correct production deficiencies I raised - as well as improving the models.

People condemn the Chinese for copying existing designs, but that has been going on throughout the history of musical instruments. Brass design is one of very small improvements over what is already available and not generally revolutionary designs. It is a matter of only models which western dealers initiate are made in China, and if those dealers know what they are doing, that will be to base new horns on good designs.

I am again in China, this time for the Shanghai music fair and will be seeing what more improvements and new models I can get underway. The factory has made really good jobs of the BBb travel tuba and F cimbasso, although I am meeting with production to discuss improving the cimbasso still further while over here. I don't want to just copy designs, but to make improved horns to what is currently available.

Oh, and look out for announcement of another new Wessex tuba in the coming month...

BTW I tried the Eb trumpet and it was hopelessly out of tune - avoid!!!

[MackBrass]

Just a thought on the Eb tpt, when I went to order one to try, they told me it was not ready and pulled it off my order. JinBao could have easily sold it to me without caring but my hat go off to them for their care.

Tom

[Wyvern]

Just a thought on the Eb tpt, when I went to order one to try, they told me it was not ready and pulled it off my order. JinBao could have easily sold it to me without caring but my hat go off to them for their care.

That is maybe because I previous told them it is no good. Really great they took note and warned you. Care indeed!

I just wonder about whatever dealer initiated the model and approved - they cannot know anything about what they are selling???