Wessex Tubas in China- Exciting developments!

[Mark Finley]

It will be nice to have an affordable contra that isn't a clone

[Teditiks]

Anything new on the Eb-front Jonathan? I'd like to see a 5/4 or 6/4 if possible, and possibly a rotor Gnagey too.... :)

[Wyvern]

Anything new on the Eb-front Jonathan? I'd like to see a 5/4 or 6/4 if possible, and possibly a rotor Gnagey too....

We have got some plans for future development on the Eb front too, but I won't say more now

[GC]

What happened to all the pictures of the Dragon?

[Wyvern]

What happened to all the pictures of the Dragon?

The photos will be up on the website very shortly

[pauvog1]

Is Wessex an Eastman dealer?

[Steve Marcus]

Is Wessex an Eastman dealer?

Wessex and Eastman are two different manufacturers.

Wessex specializes in brass instruments and accessories.

[pauvog1]

Is Wessex an Eastman dealer?

Wessex and Eastman are two different manufacturers.

Wessex specializes in brass instruments and accessories.

Sorry for the confusion. Recent events made me wonder... Thank you for the clarification.

[Teditiks]

Anything new on the Eb-front Jonathan? I'd like to see a 5/4 or 6/4 if possible, and possibly a rotor Gnagey too.... :)

We have got some plans for future development on the Eb front too, but I won't say more now :)

I've got an idea for you, not that I doubt that you have several already... :) How about a 3+1 rotary, akin the ones Hirsbrunner made? Don't know if any other manufacturer went that road... Not to copy, more like the idea of setup... Like the F-tubas have their setup. Haven't seen one being played, but I for one like the idea of a 3+1 without the requirement of reaching all the way around the instrument.

[Ken Crawford]

Is Wessex an Eastman dealer?

Wessex and Eastman are two different manufacturers.

Wessex is an importer of Jinbao instruments built to Wessex specifications. Eastman is a manufacturer. Big distinction.

[Mark Finley]

Considering very few of wessex instruments are clones anymore, I'm not sure that statement is entirely fair. It's more like jinbao builds wessex designed instruments

[hrender]

Considering very few of wessex instruments are clones anymore, I'm not sure that statement is entirely fair. It's more like jinbao builds wessex designed instruments

This. JB appears to have moved more into the contract manufacturing space, although I don't know their business well enough to say whether it's a general trend for them or an exclusive relationship with Wessex. I do know there are a lot of contract manufacturers in China.

[Steve Marcus]

JB may still contract with other companies. But Wessex has its own area of the factory. One of the reasons is that we’re doing some things that are not done in other parts of the factory, such as hand-hammering bells and bows.

[Dan Schultz]

Is Wessex an Eastman dealer?

Wessex and Eastman are two different manufacturers.

Wessex is an importer of Jinbao instruments built to Wessex specifications. Eastman is a manufacturer. Big distinction.

Glad someone clarified that. I was about to.

[Mark Finley]

It's not a clarification if it's incorrect.

[Wyvern]

Let me clarify the relationship between Wessex and Jinbao. Wessex may have started out as a mere importer of Jinbao instruments, but over the last few years that relationship has evolved and changed out of all recognition.

Now Wessex instruments are designed in-house, usually by Chuck Nickles and we get manufactured at the Jinbao factory to Wessex specifications and under Wessex supervision and quality assurance with Jinbao as a manufacturing contractor. We have our own dedicated high-grade team that only make tubas for Wessex, our own air-conditioned quality assurance room and even a Wessex rest room - important when we are working at the factory for up to three weeks at a time and at least four times a year.

I believe the Wessex/Jinbao relationship is unique. It means we have the resources of the largest brass factory in the world at our disposal complete with department for tooling which makes it economical for us to make the huge selection there is in the Wessex range, including speciality tubas and sell them all at reasonable prices.

Quality is paramount to Wessex, and any instrument that does not pass our stringent quality assurance never leaves the factory - something else unique to Wessex, as we believe no other company checks and professionally play tests every horn in China so as to ensure quality and great playing horns every time.

We are ever striving to improve the horns further and I won’t rest until Wessex tubas are consistently the best in the world regardless of price (not just the best for the price, but the best at any price). We are making major strides, but I am fully aware there are still areas for improvement.

[TubaDude]

What ever happened to the C helicon? Pictures of Carl with the prototype were posted several months back, but there hasn't been any talk of it since.

[Wyvern]

What ever happened to the C helicon? Pictures of Carl with the prototype were posted several months back, but there hasn't been any talk of it since.

Waiting in line for mandrels to be made to go into production

[TubaDude]

Thank you for the update Jonathan.

[Ltrain]

Thank you for the update Jonathan.

Glad to see there are some holdouts for this cool new offering! I can't wait to see it in action... although I won't be piloting one. I actually thought I'd be the first in line for this awesome helicon since Jonathan first told me about its development over a year ago. But since then (and out of necessity) I've:

*Acquired a nice, vintage Conn BBb Sousaphone for next to nothing
*Put in a butt-ton of hours in the woodshed and played nearly 30 gigs on sousa
*Regained my pre-college BBb reading proficiency
*Became noticeably "worse" at sightreading notes on my CC horn
*Sold my Eastman CC
*Acquired a brand new Wessex Viverna BBb
*Gained $1500 from the sale (which funded an emergency)
*Sealed my fate as a "BBb player" (until I get an Eb... someday)

A lot has happened in a year!

Either way, I guess my situation is a win for Wessex! :)