Best budget deals on new chinese horns - my thoughts

[iMav]

So, based on everything I've read, researched, ordered, and seen...I'd recommend the following for NEW, budget-friendly, fully-compensating, 3+1 euphs:

Under $1k budget - Monzani MZEP-1150 - The silver-plate version was ^$646.34 shipped (lacquer would be under $600). I find no discernible difference between it and my Schiller Elite euph which I've had since 2011. Both sound GREAT and the valves are nice.
https://www.musicstore.com/en_US/USD...BLA0002559-000

Under $1.5k budget - John Packer JP274 - There are eBay sellers that are currently accepting $1250 offers for new ones in lacquer finish ($1343.75 shipped). These are heavier than the Jinbao stencils, which is probably why you see them in a lot of school settings...they hold up well. While made in China, their design and manufacturing are managed by John Packer ("we don't do stencils").
https://www.ebay.com/itm/175424707616

(I'll add some pics later on in this thread.)

[Note, this is as of the end of Nov 2022]

[iMav]

The same eBay seller is currently accepting $1525 offers on the silver plated JP274. (And, again, $1250 for the lacquer version.)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/175456218390

[iMav]

Additionally, the same eBay seller (Capital Music Gear out of Madison, WI) is accepting $2405 offers (shipped) on the JP374 Sterling horn in lacquer finish!

[massmanute]

So, based on everything I've read, researched, ordered, and seen...I'd recommend the following for NEW, budget-friendly, fully-compensating, 3+1 euphs:

Under $1k budget - Monzani MZEP-1150 - The silver-plate version was ^$646.34 shipped (lacquer would be under $600). I find no discernible difference between it and my Schiller Elite euph which I've had since 2011. Both sound GREAT and the valves are nice.
https://www.musicstore.com/en_US/USD...BLA0002559-000

Under $1.5k budget - John Packer JP274 - There are eBay sellers that are currently accepting $1250 offers for new ones in lacquer finish ($1343.75 shipped). These are heavier than the Jinbao stencils, which is probably why you see them in a lot of school settings...they hold up well. While made in China, their design and manufacturing are managed by John Packer ("we don't do stencils").
https://www.ebay.com/itm/175424707616

(I'll add some pics later on in this thread.)

[Note, this is as of the end of Nov 2022]

The Monzani MZEP-1150 euphonium that musicstore.com sells was mentioned as a good buy in the under $1k range. Let me add my comment to this. I bought one from musicstore.com, and other than a few minor problems that I easily resolved on my own I have been happy with the instrument and the purchase overall.

[iMav]

[ivanhouston]

Hi Larry,
The finish on the Schiller is much darker than the Monzani, and they look to be the same horn just about. I believe you mentioned this before. Is this because the Schiller is nickel plated?

[iMav]

Hi Larry,
The finish on the Schiller is much darker than the Monzani, and they look to be the same horn just about. I believe you mentioned this before. Is this because the Schiller is nickel plated?

Yep. The nickel-plate is indeed darker…and looks better IMHO.

although I believe I prefer the non-fingerprint-magnet lacquer finish.

[iMav]

So, for complete transparency. I recently purchased the following horns, brand new, for these exact "shipped-to-my-door" prices:

Monzani MZEP-1150S (silver plate) - ^$646.34
John Packer JP274L (lacquer) - ^$1,343.75
John Packer JP374LT (lacquer, w/ trigger) - ^$2,821.91

[and for the "historical record" ]

Adams E3 Select series (silver plate) - ^$5,877.00

[Pat]

What are you planning to do with all those horns? Put them into a rotation? Use one as a "traveling" horn?

[iMav]

What are you planning to do with all those horns? Put them into a rotation? Use one as a "traveling" horn?

May sell the Monzani horn cheap to a local college student looking for a budget-friendly compensating horn (it actually plays and sounds pretty great). Maybe loan out the Schiller or sell it as well.

Have to see if I like the 274 or the 374 better before I can decide what to do with them.

[comebackplayer]

I liked the videos you'd shot of yourself playing. It would be nice to do something on the Monzani. I also noticed that for the JP youtube video many of them are made by the company; it would be great if you could A/B compare your 274 and 374.

[iMav]

I liked the videos you'd shot of yourself playing. It would be nice to do something on the Monzani. I also noticed that for the JP youtube video many of them are made by the company; it would be great if you could A/B compare your 274 and 374.

Yeah. I want to book an hour in our college concert hall and play a passage with each of the horns.

The only thing I recorded with the Monzani is the TubaChristmas vids…but, obviously, you can’t really hear me individually.

[iMav]

JP374LT has arrived.

[guidocorona]

Hey Laerry, that's fabulous.... I am looking forward to reading your comparative impressions with the 274

G.

[John Morgan]

Congrats on the new horn, Larry. Isn't getting a new euphonium just the greatest??!! I sometimes wish I wasn't so darned happy with my Adams E3 so that I could get another euphonium. Oh well, that is a good dilemma to have.

Let us know how you like it, as I am sure you will. Happy playing!