Thomann SHF-400 MKII Bb-Sousaphone

This Sousaphone is an excellent instrument for its price and is complementary to our comedy marching band where the instrument will be used in carnivals and arena shows throughout the mid to south of the UK and occasionally in European countries. It plays well, it is loud, the tone is very good and the build is very good too bearing in mind the cost and that some embellishments are plastic or similar rather than brass. Our player is amazed at how easily playable the instrument is and how well it sounds and the provision of the 4th valve certainly helps this. It may be of Chinese manufacture but the design is first class and, in our opinion, one of the better instruments from China that we have ever purchased. Thomann have certainly got a Sousaphone of quality alongside all their instruments. In addition to the instrument itself it comes with a hard case to protect it in transit. We have had Sousaphones in our Band for over 30 years but we can say this purchase betters all our previous models.

I bought this as a stopgap while my vintage Conn was being repaired. For the price I cannot fault it. It comes with a decent wheeled hard case and, despite losing a small amount of "feel" through the fibreglass, it blows really well. Far from being a spare instrument it has become a regular first choice as it is lighter than a full brass instrument (the 4th valve tubing does add weight) and covers the full range with a good tone and intonation. The only downside (hence 4 stars for quality) is that the fixing stays work loose over time which means the whole body of the instrument flexes. I carry a small tool kit but some of the bolts are tricky to tighten but that said it is a superb instrument for the price and anyone buying one will not be disappointed.