It has the look of a Taiwanese (sp?) instrument, but it is large bore and open wrap trigger. I came across one and don't know anything about it.
Help?
Thanks,
Jon

Without doing research on it, (I could be wrong) if it says made in China, Taiwan, or the like, run away. These horns are extremely cheap knockoffs of major American brands, and they are quite poorly made.

The last person I know that bought one had to send it directly to the shop when she received it in order to make it play, and it was still a piece of junk. The only brand coming out of that area that is worth anything are the Eastman (I think..) brand, modeled after Edwards. Great horns, well made, very good for college level playing.

Eastman trombones are actually modeled after Shires instruments. I played a Mannheim once - it wasn't a bad horn.

Eastman trombones are actually modeled after Shires instruments. I played a Mannheim once - it wasn't a bad horn.

Are you sure? I play an Edwards and I have a friend who plays an Eastman, and they look and feel EXACTLY the same. Only difference is in how they play. And that's not a big difference. Doesn't look or feel anything like a Shires.

I thought they were designed and owned by Shires, while being loosely modeled after Edwards. At least that's what I hear from an instrument repairman friend of mine who learned that at the NAMM show.

Ok so I went ahead and did some research. It took me a while to find their website, but I did. Not much there. Reminds me a lot of the other cheap knockoff Asian companies. No info, no prices, just one picture, and only one model. They make 1 trombone, 1 trumpet, 1 flute, 1 clarinet, 1 alto sax, and 1 snare drum. (Snare drum?!?! What?!?)

I managed to find a Mannheim Alto Sax on sale on eBay, slightly used but like new for just over $200. Same price range as the other low end Asian brands.

In my opinion, if you want a horn to sit around, play once a month or so, and never really do anything with, go for it. If you want to actually play, and play with other people, run the other direction.

Music instruments are funny things. It's one of those areas where name brand really does mean something. Go for the proven, time tested, professionally used brands.