PT 6 Clone test and Evaluation

[MackBrass]

Sponsor Page
I chose to write this on this forum and not the sponsor page so you can write some feedback. I know TE recently received a batch of this model and sold them out prior to arrival. Those that biught from them please add to this thread.

I have recently aquired a PT6 clone and have had some time to sit and evaluate it. First off this is not made by JinBao but Wisemenn.

Sound
My first experience with it was back to back with a real PT6 and the major difference that struck me was the sound. The sound was warmer and not as bright. Second thing was how consistant the horn was from top to bottom. There was no shift or
adjustments made to make the sound even, it was just there. This is a great copy that could compete with anything on the market today.

Intonation
The horn is plug and play with very little tuning slide pull. The
only notes I have to pull are for the top of the stall f other than
that I leave the first valve slide out about an inch and even in this position the first valve D is spot on. The open harmonics are
great, no alternate fingering needed. When talking about the false tones, the only not a little out is the open Bb at the top of the stall
which is on the flat side. I mention this only because I use this
not within my flexability excercises.
Low register tuning is another spot on feature.

Eveness
The horn plays very even from top to bottom and the most notable thing here is that the low regester is something that next
to the Thore, there is no comparison with other horn in this Class. It plays with an Alex or very good german sound but with more. I like it enough to consider selling my Alex.

Pricing
When TE first introduced these we all thought that the pricing was a little high being made in China. I can tell you that the pricing is
very fair and well worth it. There are those that say you can get a good used real PT6 for almost 5-6 K but that is not true or if you wait maybe even 7k, I have never seen one, have you? I did buy
years ago an early version of the PT6 witht the smaller valve set and I thought the low register sucked and sold it within a month. With a company like Wisemann, they really take pride in what
they do and it shows. This is not a Two or three or even a 4 thousand dollar tuba. And those who think they can sell it at cost, I can tell you they won't have inventory because it just is not worth churning money when you have overhead expences.

Bore size,
The bore on this seem when comparing it with the Thore the
same size but the 5th valve on the Clone was much larger. Bell on the Thore I thought may be larger but the owner who is a pro thought the bell close to the same.

Compared to the Thore,
They both have the strong points and my comparison with the
owners Thore was a good one as he has the best Thore I have played so far. He could not believe how good the horn was. The only thing I thought the Thore was stronger on was the Low G,
but anyone who has played a Thore knows that nothing else compares. The PT6 clone has a very open an even low register, better than my Alex.

Craftsmanship
Since these are made by Wisemann there is very limited
production on this model. I can tell you that as far as craftmanship, they do go the extra mile and this would compare with any other model costing 12k or more. In speaking to othesr
that own a real PT6 the complaint they have is the length of the
pull on the 1st and 4th tuning slide, on the Clone it is not different. The material used for the valves appear to be the same valve
used by MW, the tuning slides are Nickel inner an outer and the finish is German quality.

Why am I posting this?
Since I have one and have been able to put some real time into it I am working with the Manufacturer on getting exclusive rights to
the changes I am going to recommend for it and we are just about at an agreement as all I have to do is respond to one more email

I can't speak of pricing just yeat but it will be available in Lacquer, silver and silver with Gold trim. One thing I can tell you nay sayers is don't knock the gold trim as it is tastfully done. Euphoniums have been doing it for years, so why not on tubas?

Your opinions are appreciated and if you want in on the first batch of 15 give me a call.

Regards,

Tom

[b.williams]

What Wisemenn model number is it?

[NCSUSousa]

Is it the Wisemann model 900? http://www.wisemann.com.cn/english/product.asp?id=896
That looks alot like this one: http://www.tubaexchange.com/tubas/te-900

[Michael Bush]

What you are saying is that with your reply by email that TE will no longer be legally able to sell this model.

Strangely enough, in the retail world, especially with items that are not commodities, it's not that unusual to have several "exclusive" sellers. I don't know anything about Tom's deal, but it does happen.

[MackBrass]

What you are saying is that with your reply by email that TE will no longer be legally able to sell this model.

Strangely enough, in the retail world, especially with items that are not commodities, it's not that unusual to have several "exclusive" sellers. I don't know anything about Tom's deal, but it does happen.

I guess I should explain this more clearly about the exclusive. What I meant was regarding the modifications I will have them do to horn will be exclusive. I never meant to intend the word as the only seller. I will correct my post, thanks for pointing this out.

[Toobist]

I was seriously impressed with the Wiseman PT6 clone this year at NAMM. I was enamored with its pretty looks but didn't expect the tone and intonation when I gave it a toot. It blew me away - especially since I didn't expect much. It's on-par with many instruments at double the cost or more from other manufacturers. I had to get some of my colleagues to come and give it a listen to make sure it wasn't me and it did, in fact, sound as good as I thought. Nice job Wiseman.

I really enjoy this horn and would suggest it to any of my students or colleagues.

[MackBrass]

I was seriously impressed with the Wiseman PT6 clone this year at NAMM. I was enamored with its pretty looks but didn't expect the tone and intonation when I gave it a toot. It blew me away - especially since I didn't expect much. It's on-par with many instruments at double the cost or more from other manufacturers. I had to get some of my colleagues to come and give it a listen to make sure it wasn't me and it did, in fact, sound as good as I thought. Nice job Wiseman.

I really enjoy this horn and would suggest it to any of my students or colleagues.

Were you the one who bought the demo model there? What is the sn # on your horn? Mine ends in 0001.

[Untersatz]

I am working with the Manufacturer on getting exclusive rights to
the changes I am going to recommend for it

Tom, what sort of changes are you recommending?

[Toobist]

I was seriously impressed with the Wiseman PT6 clone this year at NAMM. I was enamored with its pretty looks but didn't expect the tone and intonation when I gave it a toot. It blew me away - especially since I didn't expect much. It's on-par with many instruments at double the cost or more from other manufacturers. I had to get some of my colleagues to come and give it a listen to make sure it wasn't me and it did, in fact, sound as good as I thought. Nice job Wiseman.

I really enjoy this horn and would suggest it to any of my students or colleagues.

Were you the one who bought the demo model there? What is the sn # on your horn? Mine ends in 0001.

No, I didn't.
Somebody has a gorgeous horn though. It was head and shoulders above the rest of the clone types I'd seen. And perdy too.

[MackBrass]

The changes I am asking for are going to start with making the inner tuning slides longer, then there are two others that will make the horn even better like rerouting the 5th valve tuning slide so water doesn't accumulate and I also want the leadpipe off the bell. I can say this now as I have approval from the factory to do this and will be placing an order of 15 shortly. Also this will be available in Lacquer and silver without the gold trim as other options.