Posted by Dale Phelps on December 14, 1999 at 20:46:49:
In Reply to: Re: I need your opinion! posted by Tony Clements on December 14, 1999 at 16:58:31:
I'm with Tony on this one. Regardless of all the good said about tubas
made in Brazil or in China, the fact is that these cheap horns are unproven
over the long term. How many 20-year old Jupiters have you seen? Uh-huh.
Now how many 20-year old Mirafones? There are other considerations.
OTHER popular inexpensive horns (like the St. Pete, for example) are KNOWN
to have serious problems with the basic materials used to make the instrument.
For ANY manufacturer there are only two ways to save money in selling a low-cost
instrument. One is in the cost of materials, and the other is in the cost of labor
to build it. To some extent you can overcome low-cost manufacturing effects,
but then you might as well have spent more money on a better-built horn. Some big manufacturers off-set the cost of quality materials by volume production (like Mirafone.) But you CANNOT overcome the effects of simply cheap materials. Solder, brass, these metals do not easily agree with each other. Over time compromise WILL be reflected in the durability of your instrument. Period. Now for those of you who don't like this.....try to be objective....and look for evidence contrary to what I've said...it really IS typed and stated with the best interests of the young tubist who is shopping. Save your bucks, spend a little more and get a Mirafone!