7 replies to this topic

[DavidDaniel]

I studied percussion in college and now I dont know much about what instruments to buy or what to avoid buying. I need to brass instruments right now, can any one email me with a list of what brands to get and which to avoid and why

email: dkd0010@unt.edu

Thank You.

[audioinc]

 sdeuel, on Sep 25 2006, 07:42 PM, said:

I'd e-mail you this response but then no one else gets to see the text. I'm a trumpet player, and I'll sugest a few brands of brass instruments to get. For legal reasons, I'll only tell you the things to look for in things NOT to get.

First, what country does it come from? It's a pretty safe bet that it's a good instrument if it comes from the USA, England, Germany, Japan, or France. Those countries are the top brass producers. If it comes from China, Indonesia, Taiwan or India, be VERY careful. There are a couple brand names out there that have some instruments coming from those countries (Antigua Winds, Jupiter) that are OK brands, but other than that, be very careful. A lot of the stuff that is coming out of those countries are not nearly the quality of instruments coming out of the countries I first mentioned.

Here are a few GOOD brands for brass: YAMAHA (I love yamaha instruments), Bach, Conn, King, Besson, Gerhard Baier, Accent, Courtois, Kanstul, Miraphone, Willson, and I'm sure I'm forgetting a couple of them. Yamaha is easy to find, and easy to trust - at least for their school stuff. Their pro-stuff is all good, some great, but not all great (make sense?).
Good luck!

Lots of good advice in the above post. Let me give you one more to consider and one to avoid.

Consider Olds. Good quality, sturdy student instruments and I've even used some of their upper line horns and have liked them a lot.

I really like a lot of things about the Getzen horns but one thing I DON'T like is the high tech spit valves that they use. I've had too many come back either with problems or just plain knocked off of the horn.
My .02

[Michael]

If a store sells clothing, garden tools, frozen pizzas and Band Instruments....run away!

[Meldog]

Absolutelty!! These First Act instruments are already driving me nuts..lol.

[Jrblack100]

Try to avoid mixing brands within sections as much as possible...different brands have different pitch tendencies which is more difficult for younger players.

My preferences for middle school:
Flute - Yamaha open hole
Clarinet - Buffet E-11, R-13
Alto Sax - Yamaha YAS23
Trumpet - Bach Strad
Horn - Conn 8D
Trombone - Bach 42
Euphonium - Yamaha 642 (321)
Tuba - Cerveny 681 (awful cases though) or Yamaha 641 (but don't mix Yamaha/Cerveny in the same group
Oboe/Bassoon...how much money do you have?!

[Melloking]

I am a new band director and was approved of almost a half of a million $'s for new instruments! Just two years ago, the band bought new concert instruments and acce... I'm looking into purchasing new marching band instruments! Can someone tell me which brand is best to use for each section!

[hmsbandmaster]

Man, if you got that much dough to spend, buy the best of everything. Anyone who sees your post I am sure, is very envious. Sounds like you landed in an awesome situation!