Chinese CC tubas

[soitscometothis]

Personally, I think the Chinese manufactured tubas fill a hole in the marketplace. There are a ton of players out there who don't necessarily need to spend the money to obtain an expensive major-brand instrument. Are they the best choice for a someone playing in a major symphony orchestra, or a graduate-level performance major? No. Are they a viable option for a casual player who needs something for solo practice, community band, church ensemble, and other small gigs? Yes. Are they a good option for a high school student who is having to use sub-par school owned equipment that they are not allowed to take home for practice? Yes. Not everyone has the money to spend on a Miraphone, MW, Yamaha, etc.. I've been shopping around for a horn so I can get back in the game for the past couple months, and even at the low end, for a major brand CC, I'd be looking at spending at a minimum $3-3.5k. In the sub $2k range, options are extremely limited, and someone who just wants something for casual playing should not be forced to end up with a 3-valver that spent 3 decades of its life being abused in a middle school classroom that they found on Ebay.

[Lectron]

Missouri (whoever you may be) missed me saying ALL the tubas I've played are good.

I've had one JBEB-700 that I've preferred over most(!) comp ones I've ever tooted
The build quality was better on all the others (Yammies, Bessons, Cortuis..),
but I actually preferred the Jinbao (Not the valves!)..Ironic?

Another thing. They are fairly consistent. Far more then B&H/Besson could ever hope for when made in UK
and better than a typical Conn trombone. So why not keep that consistency and move it up in quality
..Or would that be too expensive? Or is it what Jonathan is working on?

The attached tuba is also made in CN. Don't know much about it, but the bracings seems stronger than
the typical chromed cheese and it also has lesser ferrules/joints and also not those cheap ugly looking U bends seen on bessons today
And MRSP is higher...of course, but still lower than 'the real thing'

CN.jpg

[The Big Ben]

Wessex, Mack and Schiller should not brand their tubas. Jin Bao should be the name associated with them. These are not professional quality instruments in build.

Many manufacturers have made stencil horns. B&S, Conn, York, Cerveny and others have made good horns under other names. I'm sure some of them have been roaches, too. Wessex and Mack have made an effort to insure that the horns they sell are 100% what they should be. They should be able to put their names on them. This 'extra assurance' is one of the things they are selling along with the instrument.

[Lectron]

Missouri (whoever you may be) missed me saying ALL the tubas I've played are good.

I am not paid to say anything at all - I have my own mind!

You are a musician, and from your CD. A good one too, Congrats.

I respect your profession. I do not mix in with your interpretation etc.

You should have that same respect to others professions, no matter witch ones.

These instruments are cheap and poorly crafted.
It is an insult to engineers and skilled craftsmen to claim otherwise

[Wyvern]

So why not keep that consistency and move it up in quality
..Or would that be too expensive? Or is it what Jonathan is working on?

That is indeed what I am working on. I am willing to pay the factory a bit extra for higher quality. I think most people would rather pay 10-15% extra for a better quality instrument.

[Lectron]

...
These instruments are cheap and poorly crafted.
It is an insult to engineers and skilled craftsmen to claim otherwise

Have you built a tuba from sheet brass yet?

Nope, but that is not my profession.
But I've seen some awesome results frome guys whose is

[Lectron]

I wouldn't know as I do not administrate master or badcler degrees.

But I've seen quite good stuff coming out from the B&S facilety among others

A friend of mine has an exam as an instrumet maker (4 years education, german exam) and has made some quite good looking stuff....With in working order threaded valve caps.

Another friend of mine is a toolsmith. He can make pretty cool stuff too. Not to me tion his weaponsmith college.

I don't know where you are heading at this, but I like to believe that proffesional quality instruments are made by professionals.

[Lectron]

Let's just say that valvecaps not popping and a surface job a li'll better than what could be taken for fine grade steel wool would be nice for starters