TromboneChat

I came across this on eBay.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/384720232739?h ... Sw1BdhNseI

I guess someone is making Dennis Wick gold knock-offs (or at least plated with something that's the same color of gold). Anyone ever tried one of these? For $15, I might buy one and see what's up.

The one I purchased (on a whim) is really not that bad. Seems like a real Denis Wick. (But I haven't really played it much.)

Says "Maestro" brand which is one of the flakier Chinese TSO makers. $15 isn't a horrendous toll to satisfy one's curiosity, and maybe it is usable

Grabbed one of these, and to update: it looks like a Wick from a safe distance, but the dimensions are slightly off. The shank is longer than my genuine Wick mouthpieces and the rim is narrower than a Wick. Rim profile is more rounded than a Wick and there is a minor machining inconsistency on the interior cup (small enough that I doubt it would photograph clearly, but you can feel it with a finger). I think, but am not certain, that the backbore is narrower than spec.

Will give it a more thorough play test later, but first impressions are that it's OK for fifteen bucks. Sound is a bit thin in the low/mid register, high range responds well enough. Probably wouldn't use it over my similarly sized offbrand (Benge) 6.5AL.

So,... It's "just like a DW 6BS" except a little different in most ways? At the risk of being too preachy, let me say if you like Denis Wick products it makes little sense to buy inferior knock-offs. I realize this touches on the whole issue of chinese knock-off instruments vs. original makers' products. I don't have all the answers, but I like having domestic makers creating high quality, innovative products within a viable economic niche.