Bach219

I'm guess that everything from Berkeley is Chinese made. So I wouldn't mess with any of it!

Good Luck!

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Raw brass Bach TR300
Vincent Bach 3C
Vincent Bach 7C
Vincent Bach Corp. 10.5C

I didn't want to get that ring around my lips from practicing the trumpet, because I thought the girls wouldn't like me. So I never practiced.- Wynton Marsalis

Claude Gnocchi

If you have read some of my posts on Chinese horns, you know I am a believer in them, however, I must be fair and can confirm a similar story to the above with my Berkeley trumpet. I bought it just for yuks (since I have about 25 other vintage & custom horns). I really liked its sound and it was an exact replica of a Bach...but, when I unsoldered the thumb saddle (which I don't use in jazz) the whole slide came apart! So, in sum, they are good-sounding instruments and apparently very well made...it is the MATERIALS used that seem to be a problem. On the plus side, the horn came w/a very nice case which is probably worth the price I paid for the whole thing!!!!

lmf

Claude,

Let's hear it for the great cases!

ChopsGone

And, by the way, that GR leadpipe will cost you about what you'll have to pay for one of those Berkeley horns. My general rule of thumb for cheap new horns: if it's from India or Pakistan, I won't even consider it even if my Indian friends are offended. If it's from Taiwan, and cheap enough, I'd consider it but would want to inspect the horn first. If it's from China, and cheap enough, I'll buy it only if there's someone very reputable in the USA standing behind every horn they sell. There are some pretty decent lower-grade horns coming out of mainland China, but there's still a lot of pure dreck, too. If you really want something to play on a regular basis, a top Taiwanese horn such as Jupiter would be the minimum worth considering. And I'd still rather spend the bucks for a good used American, English, or French horn.

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Vintage Olds and Reynolds, yes sir, yes sir, one gazoo full.

Calicchios, Besson, Kanstul Bessons, Selmers, etc.

F.E. forgive me, even a Bach Strad (but I like the others much better)

Claude Gnocchi

hey, seriously; I got a great case w/a Berkely flugel I also ordered and additionally, I used quite a few parts from the flugel on my "real" flugels (valve caps, buttons, etc.) for $98......some of the better cases are more than that! The flugel was NOT as good a player as their trumpet.....

Blue Pacific

...even when purchasing Chinese trumpet lamps...

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'46 Buescher 400 [L] crn
'05 Kanstul 1530 [L] crn
'07 Kanstul 1525 flg
'57 Benge 3X [ML] trp
'73 Benge 3X [ML] trp

gsmonks

I bought a Berkeley Eb trumpet to lend to my students (they ain't getting my old Bach!). So far so good- it's a very decent little horn.

Jupiter had problems when it was a new company. Valves, lacquer coming off, brass discolouring and rotting, you name it. Same was true of Yamaha back in the 70's.

The bottom line is, don't just write off the Chinese, Indian, and certain other horns as junk without trying them out (and therefore talking from experience rather than prejudice). Raison brass makes a good "classic" mellophone, I haven't seen first-hand any bad stuff regarding Berkeley (although maybe time will tell), and Amati, Lidl, Cerveny and others do make some good horns, usually their middle and low brass.

BTW- the thumb saddle bent and melted in the sun? The saddle on my Eb is nickel-plated brass. I checked after reading that comment. I think someone's either exaggerating or pulling your leg.