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Got my hands on a "Jean Baptiste" compensating euphonium recently. Having previously owned a "Schiller" euphonium (not a marque known for its quality) and thinking it to be a pretty serviceable instrument (well-fitted/quick valves, slide fitment seemed good, overall fit/finish was okay... hazy lacquer and some sloppy solder in some places, maybe B- level) , I figured that this one would also prove to be a pretty serviceable instrument. They were alike in ages, so no "they improved over time" excuse here.

The "Jean Baptiste" features rather crudely-hewn brass valve guides which makes for noisy valves (moreso even than my vintage Besson), slide fitment is poor, the pearls (even though both marques use fake MOP) feel cheaper, pistons are somehow "scratchy" even though it's a newer instrument... just overall, it feels like not a lot of effort went into making this instrument. These are just my initial impressions and could be wrong, and for all I know, the brass guides may end up being more durable or better than the Schiller's nylon ones.

Got it for a song at my friend's request and am passing it along to him at cost. I hope he's at least somewhat satisfied with it.

JB is the name Sam Ash uses for their Chinese stuff.

Plastic valve guides will last for decades as long as the person who owns the instrument doesn't slam them against the tops of the casings trying to find the guide slots. I feel pretty confident that even the cheapest plastic ( as long as reasonably oil resistant) would last for decades as long as they are inserted carefully each time.

I don't like pistons that have shiny spots on them, because that indicates that the pistons don't have straight sides and are basically crappy. I don't care whether that means they're made in China or wherever.