Chinese puzzle: backpack straps on Jinbao euph case?

[sloan]

I just took delivery on a Jinbao 3+1 compensating euph. The case has backpack straps that baffle me.
I'm hoping someone here knows how they work.

Each strap consists of a single, wide strap with snap connectors on each end. It seems fairly obvious where these are supposed to attach to the case (but, tell me anyway - sometimes what is "obvious" is also "wrong").

The confusing part is that each of these wide straps has attached to it a narrower strap, with it's own snap connector. I have no clue where these are supposed to go.

I could post pictures, but...if you need pictures you probably don't know the answer!

Help, please?

[sousaphone68]

Hello I have a jb Eb tuba that came with similar straps and as best as I could work out was as follows.
The snap clips at either end should snap onto D rings on the rere and side of the case.
The Tuba I think was supposed to be carried bell up and I am assuming that the Euph should be as well.
The straps have a D ring and strap towards one end this is intended to be a cross strap to secure the straps to each other across the chest to stop them from sliding of the shoulder so the end with the extra d ring and strap should be attached to one of the d rings on the rere of the case at the bell flare. The other end goes to the d ring on the side.

I never intend wearing my tuba as a back pack as I tried this in the past with a gig bag and found it way too uncomfortable so have hung the straps in the wardrobe.
The foambody cases are the most disappointing part of a JinBao instrument for me they are too big and cheap looking.

Leaving the puzzle to one side how does it play and will it meet your needs?
What is the overall finish like ?

[sloan]

Thanks for the rapid reply.

The euph straps don't have D rings (I think - I'm at the office) - just snap hooks.

The idea of a strap across the front of the chest makes sense - I'll see if I can get that idea to work, tonight.

The euph arrived with one very minor fit and finish problem ( a clanking valve ) that was solved with one
application of valve oil to the top cap threads and a couple of "screw on, screw off" cycles. Cursory examination revealed nothing surprising. Three people have played it (mediocre tubist, out of practice eupher, excellent trombonist) for a total of 30 minutes, and no one has thrown it to the floor in disgust.
Since my range on euph is about 2 octaves, I'm afraid I can't really comment, yet.

Anyone care to recommend a mouthpiece for it? The one included is...well, it's a mouthpiece. Do I want the old standby - a 51D?

Now...where did I put my son's old Rubanks books for baritone horn? I wonder if I have time to get in shape for EuphoniumChristmas? Naah - I'll let the trombone player in the family use the Jinbao and I'll bring the 36J.

[Dan Schultz]

Just a side note on those Chinese cases.... when you open the case... check first to see that the zippers are all way 'round the backside. Otherwise... you'll be holding the case closed with an old belt!

[pgym]

Anyone care to recommend a mouthpiece for it? The one included is...well, it's a mouthpiece. Do I want the old standby - a 51D?

I've tried several different mouthpieces (including a 51D) on a couple of Tuba Exchange-branded Jin Baos over the past few years.

For me, the 51D starts to sound stuffy at F2 and gets stuffier as I go down, and the sound starts to thin out at A4. That could be size related, though, since my normal mouthpiece (Doug Elliott XT-I 103) is a good bit larger than a 51D.

The 52E2 doesn't thin out (as much) in the upper register as the 51D, but blows excruciatingly sharp from 6th partials on up (and I don't like the rim).

I find that heavier mpcs give me a more even response from top to bottom and slot more securely above the 8th partials than lighter ones. The mpcs that work best for me are an Alliance David Childs 3 and a Warburton Demondrae Thurman (both 1.03" dia/0.291 throat), which are borderline heavyweight mpcs. Of course, YMMV.