Simba Instrument quality

MarchardFerguson · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2003 6:57 pm Post subject:

I saw how cheap the simba instruments are and was thinking about getting a cheap sax to play until I am off acutane and my lips are healed. Would this be a good investment?

TrumpetAdam · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2003 7:40 pm Post subject:

my cat's name is Simba...haha, well I heard that they are decent quality, dunno about your lips and acutane though.
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Adam Zwebti
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Bach Stradivarius 37
Schilke 14
my trumpet
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DavesTrumpet · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2003 7:42 pm Post subject:

You know, when these instruments first showed up at Sam's Club about a year ago, the saxes were the worse of the bunch - they were terrible. I do, however, think they've improved. I was at Sam's the other day and tried all the instruments except the sax. It didn't have a mpc. But looking it over, it looked "ok". I really think you'd probably be better off buying an older Conn, like the 16M. Or any other brand which parts will be readily available, if and when the need arises. From the perspective of a repair tech, like myself, any horn, no matter how good a purchase, is worthless if I'm not going to be able to get replacement parts for it.

Dave M

James B. Quick · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2003 8:12 pm Post subject:

I heard from Scott Becker, the sax rebuilder here in town, that one of the problems with the cheap woodwinds is that the metal used in the keywork is too soft, and will not hold its shape well enough to ensure good sealing of the pads.... jbqd

_dcstep · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2003 4:28 am Post subject:

As one that spends a couple of hundred dollars per year keeping my daughter's $2000 Yamaha flute, woodwinds need routine adjustment or they become unplayable fast. I'd want to hear from someone that'd owned a Simba for a year or so before I'd buy.

As for the trumpet, after playing one, I'd say it's worth the $159. For a ten-year old, it's a valid choice.

Dave
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Schilke '60 B1 -- 229 Bach-C/19-350 Blackburn -- Lawler TL Cornet -- Conn V1 Flugel -- Stomvi Master Bb/A/G picc -- GR mpcs
[url=http://www.pitpops.com] The PitPops[/url]
Rocky Mountain Trumpet Fest

romey1 · Heavyweight Member Joined: 11 Jun 2003 Posts: 797

I played one at Sam's Club the other day. These horns are a joke - horrible workmanship, stuffy, abissmal intonation. Then again - it's only $160!

No horn will ever make a player, but bad ones WILL hold you back.

You get what you pay for.

romey

_dcstep · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2003 5:38 am Post subject:

The Simba trumpet that I played at Sam's was well in tune (for a student horn) and had a nice, open response. My Yamaha is better, but it cost eight-times as much. Other student horns cost two to four times as much as the Simba and don't necessarily offer proportional improvement.

Most parents of fifth graders don't have the contacts to select and purchase a quality used horn; therefore, I would recommend that they purchase the best student horn that they can afford. Here in Dallas, many have a tough time coming up with even the $159.

Dave
_________________
Schilke '60 B1 -- 229 Bach-C/19-350 Blackburn -- Lawler TL Cornet -- Conn V1 Flugel -- Stomvi Master Bb/A/G picc -- GR mpcs
[url=http://www.pitpops.com] The PitPops[/url]
Rocky Mountain Trumpet Fest

MarchardFerguson · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2003 3:30 pm Post subject:

well, it doesn't have to be perfect just good enough to get me through Christmas, because that is how long I am going to take acutane, I doubt it was effect my embrouchure any more than not playing for a couple of monthes

MarchardFerguson · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2003 4:10 pm Post subject:

well i just ordered the $280 sax, are there any sax players on this forum so I can ask questions if I run into trouble?