Reddit reviews Yamaha Euphonium Valve Springs, Set of 4

Are you just looking for a euphonium? Or do you need to buy a marching horn?

If you do need a marching horn, I’ll dissent that Jinbao stencil will not be good in a couple of month. It’s all about who the importer is. Jinbao cranks out stencil horn to anyone who wants. Wessex, Mack Brass and Dillon music are the best in terms of quality control.

Only Wessex carries marching brass. Schiller gets their horns from Jinbao but I have only heard bad reviews of their quality control.

That being said, look for a used bach Mercedes marching baritone or a used conn 136e if you don’t want chinese. You can find them for around $500-$600 in decent playing condition. I have a conn 136e and it’s great. It’s a stencil of the King 1124 which is the gold standard marching baritone.

If your lookin for any euphonium don’t buy a marching baritone. They only have use in a marching band. I use mine in a fusion brass band for fun.

As for the Jinbao stencils, they copy the Yamaha 642 compensating euphonium. Mack Brass is the best band for your buck. Its only carried in silver and is $995.

I’d suggest replacing the springs with Yamaha springs. And maybe replace the felts. Neither are necessary but can make the horn just a little better.

Wessex Dolce already has better valve springs and felts. But the starting price is $1370. That’s for the gold brass bell version, which does have a beautiful warm sound. If you want the silver plated version it’s $100 more, and standard yellow brass bell. If you want silver I think the Mack Brass is the better option. Wessex does a few things like their Wyvern engraved valve buttons and the aforementioned springs and felts. But Tom McGrady who owns Mack Brass has a leaner operation so he’s able to keep the price down while still having great quality control.

I have a Wessex Festivo but still replaced the springs, but the felts are perfectly fine.

If you’re willing to spend $800 I’d say spend the extra $200 and get a Mack Brass euphonium. Otherwise look for a used Yamaha 321 on eBay. You can usually find them for a decent price. you’ll need to spend more on a used king 2280 which is the best non compensating euphonium on the market. The conn 19i is the stencil of the king 2280 and if you do see them on the market, they go for less than the kings but play just as well. They are a rarer find though.