JinBao for a high school player

[Buccin]

A high school player is looking for another instrument. Money is very tight. Under ideal circumstances they would probably opt for a Mack brass, or Wessex. However that is a bit out of their price range.

Does anyone have experience with recently produced JinBao instruments?

If looking for something in the 800 range would it be better to try to get a used king 2280? I would expect the condition would be poor at this price point.

[DaveBj]

In that price range I would rather have a new Jinbao than a used anything. I've had four Chinese horns, and they've all been good bang for the buck. If y'all can put the $$$ together for a Mack or a Wessex, good, but I bought a Jinbao English baritone from a Chinese vendor (i.e., just about straight from the factory) and played it in a brass band for 5 years.

[Sara Hood]

Agreed!

I will second Dave's opinion there. I purchased the same Jinbao JBBR-1240 baritone from an Ebay vendor and am very pleased with the service and the horn. It is now going on three years old, so I can't tell you how it will hold up over the decades. It did get me back into playing in the brass band world. I am a very happy camper!
- Sara

[Sara Hood]

And friendly suggestion (smile) - Buy from a seller offering a hard sided case. Not too much difference in price. And a kid may complain about the difference in weight. But the added protection for the horn is worth it.
- Sara

[DaveBj]

I agree with Sara. You don't want a kid schlepping an instrument like that back and forth to school in a trash bag.

[Buccin]

Thank you for the replies. It sounds like you had good experiences with the instruments and with purchasing them from overseas.

It is strange that the used market is so high for step up instruments given that the Chinese ones that are priced so low.

[dsurkin]

I agree with Sara. You don't want a kid schlepping an instrument like that back and forth to school in a trash bag.

Hah! That brings back memories...the rental horn my school gave me in 4th grade didn't have a case - just a plastic bag!