Jupiter Baritone Horn question

[David DeWitt]

A Band Director friend of mine is looking to by a baritone horn (Not Euphonium) for his elementary school.
He called me and asked about a Jupiter JBR700 standard 3 valve Bb Baritone.
Has anyone had any of these?
Pros/cons
I`ve heard good and bad regarding Jupiter but I know that they have come up in quality in the last number of years.
Thanks

[iiipopes]

They are a clone of the King that has been around for more than a century. They tend to have thin metal. Yes, they have improved in quality in the last few years. Shop around. John Packer and Mack Brass, and probably a few others including the standard King, Conn, etc., have similar offerings that should be compared to find the best value/durability/price ratio. As far as tone, intonation, etc., they all play about the same with a 6 1/2 AL, Schilke 50, or similar mouthpiece. If those two mouthpieces are too large for a starting player, then maybe a 12C. Yes, it is a trombone mouthpiece, but it may be easier to navigate for a beginner, it is a common size which you can find inexpensive clones, and I wouldn't go any smaller, having played all the above.

For a front-bell American style horn, I actually prefer the Wessex 4-valve, as it is a tad larger bore and the 4th valve, of course, helps with intonation in the lower register. I pair it with a Denis Wick Ultra 6 baritone mouthpiece. The Ultra 6 is like a 6 1/2 AL, but a little deeper so the low register is not so grainy, but keeps the lyric quality of the mid register and doesn't sacrifice stability in the higher register. Of course, both of these are more expensive than a person may be willing to spend of either personal or school money, and the beginning player's hand may only be able to navigate three valves and the smaller mouthpieces as a start, but it is a point of comparison so the player can grow with the horn and not be frustrated by it.