Chinese Trumpets

[David Figge]

Andalucia Musical Instruments in Hunting Beach California. www.andaluciami.com

I am a working musician. I teach and perform on a regular basis. I have been playing Andalucia horns pretty much since they came on the market. They are tremendous horns. I have one of every high brass horn they make and love them.

There are a lot of "less than desirable horns" out there. Andalucia is not one of them. Go to the web site...you see Arturo Sandoval playing them, donating them to schools, you see other working pro players using these horns and jobbing with them. Can't recommend them enough. Everyone I share these with loves them.

If you have any questions at all feel free to email me.
Good luck to you.
_________________
David Figge - "A decent player"
Andalucia of WI - High Brass Specialist
Have Horns - Will Travel
Performance/Clinics/Lessons/Product Demos
866-647-7123

[trumpethead]

The Wisemann pocket trumpet is an excellent horn and the one I had, was not too far off the playability of the Carol.

Being Australian, I have no 'Made in America' bias.

I have purchased many Chinese-made horns, to personally evaluate them, as I want to know first-hand, what they're like and how they play.

If you don't want to buy Chinese-made horns for whatever reason, then no problem. But, if someone denigrates them without first-hand experience, then you're doing yourselves a huge disservice IMO.

There are some GREAT playing Chinese horns out there and they're getting better all the time.

[Benge.nut]

[Dennis78]

Much of the Cecilio horns that are garbage also say Mendini on them. I have each. Bought the Mendini for my kids to bang around (2&5 then 5&8 now), I'll admit that for $89 it would still not be worth sending a kid to school with. I had/still have but in pieces the tt380gb (a Bach copy) played nice and has nice valve action-definitely worth the $250 I paid for it. Even saw some stage time but I got into collecting and repairing so it became a learning tool. The 500 I speak of is definitely a top notch trumpet well on par with the competition and those who have tried it only had good things to say. And I'm serious about the valve action-amazing! The Mendini is still holding up. Never been cleaned once and gets about as mistreated and under lubed as one can imagine but it is way cheaper than the other two. Receiver problem check, used to have problem valves but that has worked itself out. I'm very interested in reading about this Aliexpress Bach. I'm also interested in budget horns. Having said all that when I joined brass band my money was spent on a trusted American brand when I needed. Ended up spending $150 on a minty Bach cr310. Now I can't get enough of my newly acquired 1908 New Proportions short cornet-also got it for less than what a new China job goes for
_________________
a few different ones

[1jazzyalex]

A busker friend of mine got a Chinese trumpet, no name, but the soft case with it says "GOLDSTAR" on it, he's very happy with it and if I could find one I'd buy it right away. He got it at a local flea market.

The quality is all over the place but I think overall, it's almost harder to make a junky trumpet than one that's pretty decent.

The Yamaha 2000AD is a Chinese horn, and they're really slick.
_________________
Yamaha 8335LA with Blessing 3C, 5C, Schilke 11A4A

[ALaschiver]

If you can buy an L.A. or even Burbank Benge for $1000.00 or less, why would you even fool with a Chinese horn? They are currently available at this price. This is a "no brainer"

[Benge.nut]

[Crazy Finn]

[Rick]

No further comment from me will be posted on this topic.
_________________
Flugelhorn
Hollywood Calicchio flugelhorn

[HarryRichardson]

While I have no plans to buy one myself, I played a Carol Brass trumpet that was decent...not a Bach Strad, but decent. Also, one of my friends who is a great tuba player just purchased a Mack brass tuba, and it's a good horn. They have a Bach Strad trumpet copy I wouldn't mind trying out. Can't vouch for then yet though.
_________________
Visit www.TrumpetFinder.com for the best deals on trumpets and accessories!

[connicalman]

Got a friend, a naturalized American citizen, born in China. She 'worked a deal' for one of those 190 Strad copies with a distributor. When she gets back from her trip I'll let you know how it plays.

There was not a lot of reason applied in this purchase. Except that it was silver. And a "Bach". Because I know the Carolbrass hold their own, that was my suggestion. I was not aware of the cloned Bachs.. ..how can copyright laws not apply?

She also plans to return with a suitcase of shoes. I won't be trying them on. My piggies are too biglier.
_________________
kochaavim, csillaagkep, αστερρισμός, konnstelacji, connstellation... ...a.k.a. the 28A!
Other Conns: Victor 5A & 38A, New Wonder & 80A; 'stella 38A; 36A; 'quest 76A...

[ALaschiver]

After China had her annual Dog Eating Festival, why on earth would you send your dollars there? When you consider the politics and actions of that country, this as well as buying an under 1000.00 Benge instead of an import, is a total "no brainer". For those who do not consider world politics in their daily actions and decisions, there may be a "Moment of Truth" in your future. Remember: keeping jobs and our economy strong keeps clubs, venues and performance opportunities in your future.i.e. (If your neighbor is not working, he won't be able to hear you at the club at which you are playing..assuming that the club is even "in business") etc.....this goes on and on, affecting everybody....from artists to construction. I would hope that young players as well as those not having a broad view of life and the world, would start to "see the light"..My apologies to John Beluchi in that great scene from the Blues Brothers.

[GuidoCorona]

Excellent idea!

And we should also ostracize Stomvi whilst Spaniards continue to massacre innocent bulls in the horrid public spectacle of the Corridas... And barr Yamaha, BrassPyre and several others until Japanese stop delecting themselves with innocent whale blubber "harvested for scioentific research" in the Southern oceans.... By the way, Courtois should be banned as well.... Do you know how unsanitary it is to eat cow's guts served in Paris: ? ... English blood sausage anyone -- You could contract Mad Cow encephalitis from the revolting things!


If we banned import from every country and place with at least one habit that we do not approve of, or against which we bear some grudge, we would be left with instruments made in DogPatch USA... Yep, I disapprove of Wysconsyn politics.


Woops... I better check out that dogpatch place... May be they eat cats, or practice snake worship... Real disgusting!

G.

PS. Talking about having a World view... Did you know that cheap Chinese goods and stuff from the proto-Indian cities of Mohenjo Daro and Harapa were sold in the Sumerian city of Dilmun (modern Bahrein) as early as the 3rd millennium BC? ... Yep, World trade ain't a post modern invention.... And I am confident that there were some real ticked off potters from Ninive even back then, complaining about 'em crappy vases from India and China.... Probably they called earthenware from Harapa "rivermud objects in the shape of jars".
_________________
Cornet: Carolbrass CCR7772R-GSS
Euphoniums: Miraphone M5050. Wessex Festivo

[Dennis78]

Just because a culture is different doesn't make one happier or better than the other
We were once a country with terrible harsh laws and human inequality to the point of genocide
Much of my ancestry/my family to this day-native American and Asian both have a culture of eating dog meat! The Native American actually eat puppy meat to be honest
If a well playing well built instrument can be had for $100 that will allow more people to experience the joy of making music! And that I support
Pointing political fingers is a waste because we the USA have throughout our history been tyrannical. We all progress through knowledge
_________________
a few different ones

[1jazzyalex]

[yourbrass]

Back on topic of mainland Chinese imports - the factories are numerous, and unknown. The quality is: - the trumpet (or other instrument) looks great, and there are problems with its functioning correctly.

I will work on Yamaha AD series instruments or Bach TR500 trumpets, but beyond that, it's a huge crap shoot which I reserve the right not to play.

-Lionel
_________________
"Strive for tone." -John Coppola
Edwards X-13
ACB MV3C /ACB A1/26 backbore
https://yourbrass.com/

[ALaschiver]

I will say that I was initially shocked at the nature of the majority of the replies. There was, to my mind, a certain amount of inhumanity shown. Upon reflecting, I have changes my thinking re this subject. For those that feel this type of horn satisfies their personal standards, it is the horn they should own.

Personally, I would choose a wiped out, held together by rubber bands L.A. Benge rather then a new Chinese horn...but then that's me...It's "what ever blows your dress up".

[BGinNJ]

How workers, the environment, dogs, etc. are treated in China is probably not so great, but Americans seem more concerned about saving money at the big-box store.

Dollars may win over ethics for underwear & lightbulbs, but for discretionary purchases of products where quality matters (like a trumpet) I'm suspicious of rip-offs.

In particular, counterfeit or no-name items are things we shouldn't tolerate. Fake Bach's (or Martin guitars, etc) are a rip-off, of the US brand names, and unsuspecting buyers. It happens with carbon bicycles too- there's even a name brand, Pinarello, that has knock-offs they call "Chinarellos"- but these frames are made with 2nd rate carbon, worn-out or reverse engineered molds, etc.
Worse, I recently read about counterfeit engine control modules, like for Honda's. Difficult to detect, but risky to the consumer.

My point is, if you want to buy cheap crap that's you're perogative, but at least don't participate in counterfeiting.

[delano]

Some people are really obsessed with sub 100 dollar horns that are at least equal so not better than 3K horns of the known brands.
Maybe on some level they are equal, I don't care at all.
Still I agree with the post about counterfeiting.
F*** the fake Bach's ( Itsabachie).

[Dennis78]

Not to stir the pot but I'm a bit of a conspiracy theorist. What if IF the counterfeit Bachs are real Bachs. I've not read anything where they are disputed except here and TM. Maybe they're actually factory seconds. It would not be profitable for a company to say they are because we would buy the much cheaper one if we knew they were legit. But it would definitely offset the loss in materials and labor instead of taking them apart. I suspect that anyone on the manufacturing floor would probably make ~$25 an hour and just as my company pays me $21hr they charge the customer $135hr, when I do side work I charge $60hr-same man, same tools and same skills. Kinda like apples and oranges but it's been done before. You could buy a black and decker battery drill for half the price of a dewalt but they were exactly the same, also Milwaukee and Rigid. I've owned them all and to be honest my Ryobi has out lasted all. The kicker is that they are all made by the same company. Rheem and Rudd are the same right down to part and product codes, produced by the same company but Rudd is 1/3 of the cost of Rheem.
Just saying
On the student end I love my Holton brand but the difference between the newest t602 at ~$700 and a 3 series Cecilio ~$250, the latter is actually built and finished better
Not many 4th grade kids want a duct taped Benge complete with a worn finish and dents when they can have a shiny, new trumpet for $2-300
I'll bet before OSHA and EPA regulations and unions the early instrument manufacturers were terrible to work for
Through knowledge we grow!
_________________
a few different ones