Amcan Imports? Are their stuff any good?

[zixinus]

I have browsed through some of the topics on the forum of varios dizi & xiao sellers. I would like the opinion of one seller in particular:

Amcan Imports

The only reference on this forum is to their freely-provided fingering chart. As far as I can tell, they are an off-shot to a travel agency.

I'm wondering: has anyone brought anything from them and how good is it?

I am in particular curious about their xiaos (the 3-piece one). Depending on what they ask for shipping, I am considering buying from them. I am not looking for an uber-quality xiao, merely one that won't teach me bad habits or be out of tune. My musical hearing is rather undeveloped, I can distinguish between notes when played next to each other but I wouldn't be able to tell what note they were. Same with a xiao. I could tell that a note is different or not, but not whether it is a note that is supposed to be.

[edcat7]

Hi zixinus and welcome,

That's one vendor I haven't come across. I had a quick look and the xun and hulusis are very dear. I'm not a Xiao player but if I were to get one I would go for one or the other vendors that also contribute to this forum ( and not just because they contribute to this forum).

Ed

[Flolei]

I don't know the seller, but the xiao for 70 US seem to be a very cheap model from senque (a factory in Tianjin). Avoid this. For this money, you can get a much better one fron another seller.

If you are a beginner, the best is to get a middle-range instrument. Not to cheap (it can be out of tune and difficult to control), but not a too expensive either.

For example, this one :
www.orientalmusic.org/dizi/dxh934.html
www.shoppingchinanow.com/shop/vertical-bamboo-flute-xiao-x005.html

or these ones (if you can spend a little more money):
www.orientalmusic.org/dizi/dxh935.html
www.shoppingchinanow.com/shop/maestro-xiao-bamboo-flute.html

Transport fees are also OK.

[Flolei]

Sorry, I just noticed that you are from Hungary (I live in Slovenia). Unfortunately, Shoppingchinanow doesn't ship instruments to Eastern Europe.

Another possibility (for the same price range and in 3 parts, as you wrote): www.redmusicshop.com/Xiao/Professional%20Bamboo%20Flute%20Xiao%20by%20Huang%20Lifeng,%203%20sections

[zixinus]

Thanks for the suggestion.

I am surprised that they made a xiao out of ebony. Too bad that it's beyond my price range.

The other two three-section ones look great though.

[Flolei]

Don't regret, for xiao bamboo is the true material! Really.

[zixinus]

I know, I am just a sucker for stuff in black. Especially shiny black!

Does this seller include a fingering chart though? Or is the one that Amcan has on their website also good?

[Flolei]

The fingering chart which is provided by sellers is the standard one for 8 holes or 6 holes xiao. After that, players have to adjust some delicate fingerings to their own instrument.
If you won't be satisfied with the one you will get or find, I'll provide you a detailed one I made - of course on the basis of my own practices with my xiaos.

[edcat7]

Jun 15, 2014 17:32:56 GMT zixinus said:

I know, I am just a sucker for stuff in black. Especially shiny black!

Does this seller include a fingering chart though? Or is the one that Amcan has on their website also good?

I have three, yes three ebony/ black sandalwood dizis which I bought on recommendation from a friend. He doesn't even have one! I regret buying them and buying them from this particular seller. Now if Flolei recommends bamboo over any other material; and from a particular seller, I would heed her advice.