I wanted add my own two cents on my recent acquisition of a Jinbaoso ( as 'Bloke' calls it) JinBao 5 rotary valve F Cimbasso.
I have always been interested in one, but they are sooo expensive, I always passed. But after reading Bloke 's review of his, I sold a horn and bought this horn from Jim Laabs/Schiller--same animal as Joes, different importer (I believe Wessex, M&M, Laabs, MACK, etc. are importing them).
Well I got it about two weeks ago during our second NAT'L Weather Service Blizzard--couldn't believe FedEx actually delivered on that day. Laabs REALLY knows how to pack-- it looked like the Monolith from the Movie 2001. Well, I put it together and started to play it....and uh oh...'Houston, we have a problem!' No pun intended, but talk about Chinese fingerings-- it felt like a F/ BBb/C instrument--big trouble. And the 5th valve wouldn't work. I contacted Bloke and he said it was probably the alignment like on his. I tried different things, but I don't have an internal camera-and the 5th v was not working. I called Laabs and spoke to Troy--said something was big time wrong. I did mention I had corresponded with Bloke about it. He asked for Joe 's number and called him. I said I could send it back, but he said to hold on. Troy called me back and said on Laab's "nickel," to send the horn to Joe via FedEx and have him look at it. I did all this, and today got the horn back---it is wonderful. HUGE thank yous to Troy Laabs for picking up shipping each way and MEGA thank yous to Joe for the repair work.
Now the horn plays great--alignment was way, way off. As Joe mentioned about what he did to his to improve it, I will do likewise up here. I am amazed how good the pitch is. Very easy to blow in all registers and really fun to play. Here are pics below:
Bottom line--if you are looking to get one, just make sure to have the valve alignment checked with a bore scope! Once aligned, it is really a treat to play. Ran through a bunch of Verdi on it and very easy to make music on this wild looking beast!! The case--which I refer as 'Case-Zilla'--think contra bassoon case--is monsterous. Very happy it has wheels.
Finally there is an affordable Cimbasso that plays very well (but the makers in China really need to check valve alignment). Valves and slides move like glass. Really glad I bought it. This is definitely a clone of a new Rudi F cimbasso. A friend of mine has an older version of a Rudi F Cimbasso and that horn doesn't have the nice sound this one does. Using a K&M bass clarinet stand as Joe is using to hold it when not using it, and trying different mthpces on it--I think the Yamaha Griffiths is the one.
A scary beginning but a happy ending! If anyone is in the WNY area and wants to try it, just give me a heads up & no problem....
My 2 cents...
Mark