When is a tuba a ______-brand tuba?

[jamsav]

" would a rose by any other name not smell as sweet ?"....those who know and " get it " dont care. It might matter to the uninitiated , it could also impact resale value...if it sounds good, play it !!!

[iiipopes]

The conventional wisdom used to be when faced with a limited budget in purchasing an instrument, go for a good used one of a reputable or recognizable name brand instead of a shiny new lesser known or no-name brand, because the name did mean something with regards to reputation for quality and durability. Except for my first trumpet in grade school that was purchased for me, that is how I have purchased most of my instruments, with good success and better turnaround if selling was indicated.

With the Chinese horns getting better in recent years, however, that might not be as strong as a pedagogical statement as it used to be.

And the "frankenhorns" that now proliferate, with bells, bows, valve blocks and leadpipes assembled from the huge universe of a buffet of parts (this is not an aspersion -- this is simply a recognition that some very fine horns have been built, salvaged or remodeled this way) available after so many decades of manufacture by so many manufacturers, also lend to a more "how does it play" rather than "who made it" to determine "what's it worth."

[pgym]

I don't care what the name on the bell is if the horn plays well. I have tried some "big name" horns that had horrible issues, and some no-name or underrated horns horns that work fine.

What's in a name, anyway?

Are you saying that if you paid $2x,xxx for what you thought was a handmade MW 6450 Baer and received a $4000 Selman 6450 stencil that played well instead, you wouldn't care?

[sloan]

This question highlights the need for a broad liberal arts education. You'll find it covered in most Philosophy 101 classes.

[Tubaguyry]

You didn't have an option for my vote: When the bows and valveset are original.

[Donn]

Does your chewing gum lose its flavor
On the bedpost overnight?

As originally phrased, it was too ambiguous, but I think this restatement only adds to the doubts surrounding this question.

I don't suppose there would be a good example, where you could just more or less accuse some specific person or enterprise of fraud?

[S.G.F.]

Don't want to fan the flames here, but the voting does leave a question mark over the Yorkbrunners. I have been told that nearly all of the instruments bearing the Hirsbrunner mark have valve sets made by Nirschl.