Daylan

[Rochester2013]

Is this company gone?

I went to look at their website the other day to look up the specs of my horn (Apollo CC) and I couldn't find their site.

[jmerring]

The Dalyan tuba is sold by http://www.BrookMays.com" target="_blank, but when you look up Dalyan Tuba on their site, you get a message that they are not allowed to advertise the horn(s) and to contact them, directly. It does seem strange, with the extreme saturation of the horns listed at one time on E-Bay and at WWBW (no longer carries them) and Music 123 (same thing).
So, I guess that you will have to contact Brook Mays directly.

I hope you find the information you seek.

[skeath]

You may have trouble reaching Brook-Mays; they went out of business a few years ago (a lawsuit). If they have come back, I am not aware of it.

SK

[Mike Finn]

You may have trouble reaching Brook-Mays; they went out of business a few years ago (a lawsuit). If they have come back, I am not aware of it.

SK

From Wikipedia:

In 2003 First Act Inc., a competitor that sells its instruments at mass market retailers, sued Brook Mays, and was awarded $16.7 million. According to First Act, Brook Mays discouraged patrons from buying First Act's very inexpensive instruments. This claim was based on a flyer that Brook Mays sent out to band directors and consumers.[3] In 2006, a judge awarded First Act the full amount of their claim. In July 2006, Brook Mays Music Group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, citing poor back-to-school and holiday sales.[4]

In August 2006, after 105 years of business, the liquidation of Brook Mays was ordered.

Effective December 1, 2006, a new entity began operating at least one of the old Brook Mays music stores, using the name Brook Mays. The store continues to rent band instruments to schools.

Anyone have any more info? First hand knowledge? I'm curious too, as I bought a Dalyan from WWBW and was wondering if these are still even available or if the factory is just turning out other brands now.

[goodsn4]

They are available. Their new website is http://www.dymusic.com.cn/new/index.asp" target="_blank

[Tom]

You may have trouble reaching Brook-Mays; they went out of business a few years ago (a lawsuit). If they have come back, I am not aware of it.

SK

From Wikipedia:

In 2003 First Act Inc., a competitor that sells its instruments at mass market retailers, sued Brook Mays, and was awarded $16.7 million. According to First Act, Brook Mays discouraged patrons from buying First Act's very inexpensive instruments. This claim was based on a flyer that Brook Mays sent out to band directors and consumers.[3] In 2006, a judge awarded First Act the full amount of their claim. In July 2006, Brook Mays Music Group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, citing poor back-to-school and holiday sales.[4]

In August 2006, after 105 years of business, the liquidation of Brook Mays was ordered.

Effective December 1, 2006, a new entity began operating at least one of the old Brook Mays music stores, using the name Brook Mays. The store continues to rent band instruments to schools.

Anyone have any more info? First hand knowledge? I'm curious too, as I bought a Dalyan from WWBW and was wondering if these are still even available or if the factory is just turning out other brands now.

Brook Mays is still around in terms of operating several locations and using the "Brook Mays" name. Who owns/controls them now, I'm not sure. However, I was in Dallas this past week (Thanksgiving) and can confirm that the original Brook Mays store on 635 (LBJ) between the Tollway and 75 is still open and that there are a few tubas there. FWIW, this is where to Brook Mays "tuba store" concept went to die and was ground zero for tuba and accessory deals when they went "out of business" a few years ago. The warehouse (location of their original "tuba store" with Charlie Krause) is also still operating, but I have no idea what items are there. Part of it used to be a showroom mostly for tubas, percussion, and audio gear. Other stores are operating in the Houston area.

Also, Holze Music, which snapped up many of the old Brook Mays locations, exploded in Dallas and disappeared all in the few years since Brook Mays went under. There isn't a lot left in Dallas in terms of retail music stores...a handful of Music & Arts Stores, a couple of Mr. E's Music stores, and Guitar Center's left along with another handful of small "mom/pop" shops with craftsmen like Eric Swanson (repair & bass trombone, Dallas Opera) and Dennis Houghton (horn builder).

[Rochester2013]

Thanks Bloke, but how do they sound?

I personally like mine. It tends to run a little bit flat sometimes but I didn't find that too difficult to solve. I think it sounds great, it isn't the best horn in the world, but it does the job, quite nicely.

Does anyone know if the "harmony" is the same tuba or similar to the Apollo model that apparently has been discontinued?

[Rochester2013]

It looks (and its specs look) identical to my Apollo. Many people on here will probably say it is the luck of the draw with these Chinese instruments, and if that is the case then I got lucky.

The one main problem I have with Daylan is the case. Mine fell apart totally within about a year. First one wheel, then the side handle, and eventually the zipper.

The horn is really nice I think. It is my first CC tuba, after switching from a small 3/4 holton BBb. For me personally it is difficult to "blow down the center" of this horn. The water key is also positioned just perfectly that it almost always catches on the strap inside the case it comes with (didn't notice until I thought there was a huge leak to find out the water key had just taken a 90 degree turn).

I don't like the linkage it has though, nor the valve set up itself at all. This is my first rotary tuba, but the screws come loose very easily (lost one before I realized) and I am always worrying that the linkage with simply break, but after over 2 years it hasn't happened yet!

Overall, for the price I like it.