| I have a Jupiter 846L purchased from St. John's Music in Calgary. It's a really nice horn for the cost. There are definitely better flugels made but at a significantly higher cost (remember, y'all... eisprl is in Canada). I've read many reports that the 846RL (rose brass bell AND 3rd trigger) is a significantly better horn at a slightly higher price. I've seen one person comment that they didn't think the RL option was worth the extra price given the amount of use they have for a flugel. Consider the Jupiter a clone of the Yamaha 631.
It really depends on how much you think you'll be using one: in concert band I have played it on ONE tune in 4 years. Other people have borrowed and used mine more than I have! In your case, you want it for jazz... I've had a student from the local university borrow mine because they needed on in the jazz ensemble for a couple of weeks (just not something that they tend to have in their collection out here). You should probably get a GOOD one. Unfortunately you are in a position (as am I) where it's difficult to try many out unless you go somewhere where they have a bunch of 'em.
There's a local pro (all he does is teach and perform... on a multitude of instruments) who has a Yamaha 731 with the rose bell; it works for him but he can write the cost off on his taxes as a "professional musician".
In your case I would think that "used" is the way to go... the difficulty will be in the pre-purchase testing. Good luck. |