Tom9641

Anything to the rumor that these trumpets are made in China?

Has anyone received a mouthpiece yet? How do they play?

Claude Gnocchi

I haven't tried one, but don't let the "made in China" scare you off...I have owned an Andreas Eastman for about 6 months and I think its a better trumpet than any of the dozens I have owned and/or played in the past 45 years!!!! They are that good, and I'm not the only one saying so....

crazyhorns

There is absolutely NO reason to believe they are made in China.
He has done quick turnaround on custom diameters and rim shapes for myself and others. I am led to believe that he is making these himself.. with his own machinery.
~Steve Hyde

John Miconi

I agree with Steve that John is making these mpcs himself. I just received mine today. My mpc is the XE .565 diameter with the triple 'X' backbore. I will be test driving it tonight.

Claude has a good point as well...does it really matter where the equipment is made if it works for you??? I believe Yamaha has a factory based in mainland China...so?

Tom9641

Well yes, it does matter where things are made, like dog food for instance. More to the point, I feel there is a major hype promotion going on right now with information about the product being very, very scarce. While John comes right out and states he makes the mouthpieces himself, no one that I know of is using them on a permanent basis and willing to write a review of them. There is definitely a lack of specs on the mouthpieces.

As for the trumpet itself, here's what John's web site states - "Xstream is the Exclusive Xstream Trumpet Dealer." Okay, I'll buy that, but who is Xstream? Where are they located? Where is their manufacturing plant? What is the affiliation of John with the Xstream organization? What are all the specs on the trumpet? The web site states that the trumpet is being sold for half price. If that is true, then someone tell me where the trumpets are selling for full price - around $1,800.

Why is the web site so secretive about all this information. Since John is "the man" he has complete control over the web site and gives the hands up or down on what is put out to the public. Obvously he takes the approach that less is better. Why?

This could be a completely legit operation but until everything is on the table I take all this hype with a grain of salt.

John Miconi

Tom9641,

I would suggest you contact John Eth by e-mail or by telephone...get the word right from the horses mouth (so to speak)!

hirnu

Reply to Tom..

Gee Tom, Since you can find time to write your cynical questions but have no time to call John Eth at Exstream for the info(His cell 602-618-8535 It's easy) I will try to answer some of your questions.
I have played a X-1 top with a XXX backbore for the last 6 months. It has increased both the volume and quality of my sound in the upper range. i like it alot.
I have played the trumpets but do not know or care where they are made. They play great!
B.T.W. Tom, F.Y.I. over 90% of the trumpets being manufactured in the world are coming out of China. (NAMM import stats 2006)
John Eth lists his playing credits on his web site.
Bud Brisbois loved Johns lead playing.
Ask Bobby Shew about John Eth.
You state that "nobody YOU know of" plays Exstream. Are you a competitor? Who do YOU know?
Tom, time for YOU to step up and list your qualifications for
and justify your hostilty to Exstream.
Give us your credits so we can take your opinion seriously.


Hirnu

rowuk

Hirnu,
I do not read hostility, just healthy scepticism which is not the same as pessimism.

Anybody with a "HOT new deal" should be under scrutiny, we have ALL run into snake oil vendors.

You are the only player to have come forward and that is helpful. Of course we geeks are interested. That doesn't mean that we will chase anybody down. JOHN wants to sell mouthpieces and horns. HIS marketing will create exposure. The questions here are just guidelines about what information is missing.

I am sure if John is interested, he will pay attention. Attention to detail is what gets customers interested AND coming back for more.

Trumpets out of China does not say anything about their quality. It is a sensitive issue and there is no reason to hide that if it is true. They can build to spec like any other manufacturers. If one feels a need to withhold information then there must be a problem. I agree with Claude that the Andreas Eastman line is a very good deal-but you know up-front where they come from.

Like any other business venture, John is subject to the same market pressures as anyone else. If he can leverage them to his advantage, he has a chance. Real innovation and consistent value is what we are looking for! The ball is in HIS court!

You also do not need to get on Toms' case. This is an open internet forum and all posts are quoted "as is". Nobody needs credentials to claim anything and if you follow the flow, it becomes obvious who offers quality advice. On the otherhand, even the finest players have "flaws" or certain traits that are not universally accepted. We have defensive posters who think that you have to be better than somebody else to point out discrepancies. I disagree. Maurice André was one of the finest trumpet players ever but in many of his recordings his rhythm/articulation is not consistent. That does not discredit the man, it is just a observation that is worthy of mention - Bud Herseth is not the only person on earth "worthy enough" to notice that!

Just because John is an excellent player does not automatically make his mouthpieces the cats meow. Only the working players that make a long term commitment to the product can prove that. We are all anxiously waiting for equipment that makes our life easier. The ball is in HIS court!

hirnu

Tom, Your lack of listing any credits as a player simply show your lack of credit as a critic. By the way what have you invented and applied for a patent on that might help your fellow trumpet players ply their craft?
Will you be posting your objections to the marketing of Bach, Yamaha and every other company that imports horns from China?
Will you be putting down thier websites?
I see you still have not been able to simply call and talk to John but
still continue to put him down You are so brave.
In the future you might consider actually using something before you
pass judgement on it in such a strong manner.

Hirnu

tatakata

Why don't you tell your good friend John Eth to come on here and answer some questions hirnu. If he designed his web page he sure knows his way around computers. Or are we already talking to him