Cheap Euphs

[prototypedenNIS]

Cheap Euphs

Nice case, I may have to order one for myself!

[MikeCT]

Cheap Euphs

Originally posted by: prototypedenNIS Nice case, I may have to order one for myself!

It's really solid.  Heavy, but that's what's needed.  It has double (top & bottom) aluminum piano hinges on full-surround aluminum lips for the heavy stiff plastic half-shells. 

Kids leave the case "open" when the horn is out and the "hinge" on the "Enthral" case (included with the Schiller elite) looks like it's made of glued cardboard since it's separating under the fabric (can't actually "see" it).

[prototypedenNIS]

Cheap Euphs

Originally posted by: MikeCT
Kids leave the case "open" when the horn is out and the "hinge" on the "Enthral" case (included with the Schiller elite) looks like it's made of glued cardboard since it's separating under the fabric (can't actually "see" it).

Those cases are very common on import horns, even on quality ones unfortunately.

[iMav]

Cheap Euphs

EuphBone recently posted this over at LowBrass regarding Big Bottom Music NW.

This is a small operation run by a fellow who was disgusted by the mark ups of the Chinese horns sold in the US. He imports and sells the same horns at a VERY modest mark up. For example, the Schiller Elite compensating euphonium sold by Jim Laabs Music for $885 can be had through Big Bottom Music NW for around $700. A F-attachment trombone which sells for $439 at JLM can be had for under $300 through BBM.

Obviously, these are not official quotes, just info I have acquired from my inquiries with them. The point is, if you are looking for an economy chinese horn, check with BBM as they can, likely, get you the same horn for a significant discount over some of the more established retailers.

Additionally, he does not mark up the different plating options as much as the other retailers.

As always, YMMV.

[Tonya]

Cheap Euphs

Originally posted by: iMav

A F-attachment trombone which sells for $439 at JLM can be had for under $300 through BBM.

The same trombone I just recently paid around $450 for.

[yadent]

Cheap Euphs

Al at Big Bottom Music NW is a good guy to deal with if you are looking for a JinBao horn. He will treat you right. Sold me a silver-plated JinBao Eb tuba...great transaction.

[qwertre]

Cheap Euphs

Anyone played a Jin Yin Compensating euph? Nothing about them online.

(Sorry if this was posted elsewhere, I didn't read the whole 7 pages)

[Frog]

Cheap Euphs

Been looking at the Schiller/Jinbao horns and while the Elite sounds very good, I'm wondering if anybody has any experience with the Schiller 400 or equivalent Jinbao 4 valve in line horn. For my use, I don't think that a compensating horn is likely worth the extra money but I still want a horn that approaches the sound of a good Besson, has good intonation, and plays nicely. And is well under the price of the big name horns.

The Schiller 400 is a large shank horn I believe I've read. Otherwise it appears to maybe be a Yamaha 321 clone. Anybody have any experience with the 400 to be able to voice an opinion on the sound quality and playability of the 400 vs the Elite?

The Schiller 450 3+1 doesn't seem to get much press coverage and I wonder why that might be since 3+1 usually gets more recommendations than the 4 in line arrangement. Seems I've read that non-comp 3+1 horns have some intonation problems.

Anybody out there able to comment on the Jinbao non-comp horns? Thanks.

[Gallenod]

Cheap Euphs

I have a beginner student who plays on a nickel-plated Schiller 400. It was a less-expensive starter option for the family ($537 + shipping) than renting to buy a 3-valve Jupiter or Yamaha 201.

It is a pretty good knock-off of the Yamaha 321, albeit with a larger receiver.

(She thinks it's hilarious that my SM3M for my Willson 2900 doesn't fit into her euph's receiver.)

As far as playing goes, I like its sound better than all the 3-valve beginner horns I'm familiar with (in particular, it blows away the aforementioned Jupiter and Yamama) and the base intonation is also pretty good. Mechanically, the valves are working well and the construction (so far after six months) is holding up.

However, the horn is relatively light and is probably more fragile than some people might like. Her mother accidently "wrinkled" part of the bell flare by tripping over the case while the horn wasn't fully inserted. You can't see it from most angles and it doesn' affect the sound, but it's not an injury I've ever seen on a sturdier horn like a Besson or Willson.

However, for the price they paid you can get three of the Schiller 400s for what a beginner Yamaha 201 or a Jupiter costs around here. I wouldn't leave them unsupervised in a middle school band room, but for someone who will take proper care of it, it should work.

Given the option, though, I'd prefer the Elite. Simply adding a 4th valve to a non-compensating horn just doesn't get the job done, IMO.

[Frog]

Cheap Euphs

Thank you for the feedback. The Elite is looking more like the one to get.

Frog

[pam]

Re: Cheap Euphs

TubaMM has the Jin Bao 4-inline on sale for $475 right now.

If you decide to go with the compensator, you might want to check out Mack Brass' and Big Bottom Music's price on the Jin Bao.

[Disclosure: I am not affiliated with and have no financial interest in any of the above-named companies.[/l]

[prototypedenNIS]

Cheap Euphs

These also get branded as Stagg... the valves get the same brown buildups that Amati's get.

We had 2, we sent them back.

[DaveBj]

Cheap Euphs

This is my first day on this forum. I've been playing a 1923 Conn 86I since 1960, currently active in a community band and some lightweight church soloing. I've been looking lustfully at the horns played by the likes of the Davids Werden and Childs on Youtube, but I don't have $5-7k to spend on a new instrument. What I've read about the Schiller Elite really has me excited. I went on the website, showed the picture to my wife, and she said, "Go for it!" :-D

[pam]

Cheap Euphs

Don't get hung up on the Schiller brand: it's simply a re-badged Jin Bao. For a number of years, Jim Laabs was the low-price leader, but that's no longer the case.

Mack Brass and Big Bottom Music are selling the Jin Bao compensator WITH A TRIAL PERIOD AND RETURN FOR REFUND PRIVILEGES for several hundred dollars less than Jim Laabs ($750 lacquer/$900 silver vs. $885/$1285).

[DaveBj]

Cheap Euphs

Originally posted by: pam Don't get hung up on the Schiller brand: it's simply a re-badged Jin Bao. For a number of years, Jim Laabs was the low-price leader, but that's no longer the case. Mack Brass and Big Bottom Music are selling the Jin Bao compensator WITH A TRIAL PERIOD AND RETURN FOR REFUND PRIVILEGES for several hundred dollars less than Jim Laabs ($750 lacquer/$900 silver vs. $885/$1285).

Yes, ma'am, I've read the thread, and I'm familiar with the concept of re-badging -- for several years I drove a Mitsubishi re-badged as a Dodge. I've been more interested in the reviews than the German-sounding name, and given what people have been saying about it, they could re-badge it as a Trabant and I'd still be interested :-D