Stencil horns? Which are Jinbao?

[iMav]

So, Eastmans are just straight up Chinese horns… (not stenciled for another reseller).

[RickF]

The Eastman 526 is similar to the Miraphone 5050 (same bore) but with a a bit smaller diameter bell. See this link for more info:
http://www.dwerden.com/forum/showthr...ting-Revisited

[spkissane]

Chuck Kerrigan, the head of low brass at Eastman, is one of the most knowledgeable people I've ever met on the subject of euphoniums and (especially) tubas, particularly with regards to manufacturing history, design, etc. Chuck puts a huge amount of thought into the design of their instruments, is constantly working to make improvements on them, and is very receptive to feedback. Really nice guy, as well. You can say what you want about QC coming out of Chinese factories, but from both a player's and dealer's perspective, Eastman has been and is my favorite company to work with, and the horns really PLAY.

[iMav]

I actually think the horns coming out of China are really good.

So, the Eastman euphoniums are not clones of other horns (Yamaha, Besson, Miraphone, etc)…they are a unique design? (That would certainly make them unique among Chinese manufacturers.

Do they ONLY make Eastman horns out of their factory? (Or do they provide stencil horns for other brands?

[guidocorona]

Hello Larry, Eastman owns S.E. Shires, and is responsible for part of the manufacturing steps for Shires Q and Bravo series horns, including the Q40 and Q41 euphoniums. Please note that Q series horns are entirely designed by S.E.Shires in the U.S.

[iMav]

Hello Larry, Eastman owns S.E. Shires, and is responsible for part of the manufacturing steps for Shires Q and Bravo series horns, including the Q40 and Q41 euphoniums. Please note that Q series horns are entirely designed by S.E.Shires in the U.S.

I almost bought an S.E.Shires horn after talking to an employee. Love they are made in the US. I suppose it is impossible to compete with the other Chinese horns without a factory in China. (For the Eastman line)

[guidocorona]

Worth pointing out that Eastman + S.e.Shires euphos span the entire market gamut.... From beginner-level euphos designed and manufactured in the PRC, up to the Shires Solo and Custom euphoniums targeting professionals, which are entirely designed and hand-crafted in the U.S at the Massachussets Shires facility.

G.

[iMav]

Worth pointing out that Eastman + S.e.Shires euphos span the entire market gamut.... From beginner-level euphos designed and manufactured in the PRC, up to the Shires Solo and Custom euphoniums targeting professionals

Both Yamaha and Besson both have a full range of euphoniums as well. From 3 and 4-valve non-compensating horns up to fully compensated, 4-valve (3+1) pro horns.

[davewerden]

Shires Q Series instruments are a combination of USA and China input. The parts are made in the USA, shipped to China for assembly, and then returned to the USA for finishing and final quality checks:

https://seshires.wordpress.com/category/q-series/

I believe the Custom Series instruments are fully made in the USA.

[iMav]

And the Eastman-branded horns are completely made in China?

[guidocorona]

As Sean Kissane has clarified the provenance of Eastman/Shires horns, my own post is not only unnecessary but also partially incorrect. I am deleting it.

Regards, Guido

[iMav]

So, do they import valve blocks and so forth from Eastman for assembly in Massachusetts (for the "higher end" horns)??

[guidocorona]

Sean Kissane has clarified Eastman/Shires provenance.... So, my post on the subject is obsolete and incorrect.... I am deleting it.

[spkissane]

Shires makes all their parts in their Massachusetts factory, and are even moving silver plating in-house. The Q series are assembled at Eastman, and the custom series are 100-percent Massachusetts. The Bravo line, I believe, are Shires designs produced by Eastman.

Edit: I'm not a hundred percent sure on whether the Q Pistons and the Custom pistons are the same. I do know that Mike Taylor bought a Solo model from (I believe) Trent Austin that had a Q serial number, but that may have been an early prototype?

My personal Solo horn has serial number 102, and I believe the Custom that was shown alongside it at Midwest last year was serial 101.

[guidocorona]

Thank you Sean for the clarification... To avoid any further confusion, I have deleted my own partially incorrect posts on the subject.

Saluti, Guido