MM tu-520

[BrassKicksArse]

Has anyone played this model? Any opinions on it or the variants sold by Jim slabs? I'm looking for a horn since the schools horns need work. I have a budget of around 1000, and this seems to be one of my only options, considering that kind of budget can't afford a CC tuba.

[The Big Ben]

Ever thought about fixing one of the school horns and using it for a couple of years? Might be cheaper and better than buying a $1,000 horn and then selling it when you want another one. If one of the school horns needs $3-400 of work, that would be cheap rent for a couple of years and you would also be paying back the school for the privilege of being in the band..

[Ken Crawford]

Can't afford a C tuba? The tu400 is the exact same price and it is a C. Not that there is anything magical about a C tuba...

[Untersatz]

Is this the size of horn you are looking for???
This is one of those small (3/4 size at best) tubas that will most likely sound like a large euphonium, rather than full size tuba sound. The bore on this horn is 16mm (.630") and the bell is very small 380mm (14.96") If this IS the type of instrument that you are looking for, I would play one first & not buy it online just because it fits your budget

[Untersatz]

but I'm thinking this Jinbao model is a paste-on-a-piston-valve-section

Hmm.........maybe NOT the best use of the "cut and paste" technique???

[BrassKicksArse]

Well, rather than getting this model, I've found a Reynolds symphony. Would that be a better option?

[Michael Bush]

I may be wrong (and I'm perfectly willing to stand corrected), but I'm thinking this Jinbao model is a paste-on-a-piston-valve-section version of the Chinese COPY of the (very small bore) Meinl-Weston (NOT Miraphone) model 186 (pictured below).

The one of those I had for a while (Wessex) was a sweet little tuba. The main reason I didn't keep it was that I just couldn't get enough volume out of it for what I needed to do. But if there were some reason to, I wouldn't hesitate to get another one. Easy response, easy intonation. Just mighty little.