Equipment Store Reviews

Reviews for Shops in the
San Francisco Bay Area

The following reviews are independently written by people who have visited or purchased from the shops listed. They are provided for informational and review purposes only and should not be seen as either endorsements for or discouragements against using these vendors by myself or the Lion's Cave Website. If you are interested in purchasing Lion Dance equipment it is your responsibility to check into the details for yourself. I hope you find the following information helpful, but remember that everybody's opinion is different and product quality can vary depending on a number of different factors--so what one person experienced may or may not be true of the store now.

Comparisons

Willy, Wed, 19 Apr 2000 01:03:19 -0500
Jonie Uniforms is open on Saturdays. They are a business operating out of a converted residential building. On the ground floor is their office and sewing room. In their attic they have their lion dance merchandise (lots of drums, heads, masks, assorted clothing and accessories). It's very easy to get to, also. From downtown SF, just hop on the MUNI L line and go all the way to Taraval and 25th Ave. in the Sunset district. It's really convenient. Right now they don't have much, but you can still get a good idea of what they have.

Cheong Kee Jan is like a little mini snack market that also sells various imported stuff. They are underneath the big Empress of China restaurant. They don't have that much stuff, and it's way overpriced. But they are open everyday I think.

Clarion is a really fantastic place to look around - it's beautiful there, esp after their remodeling. But their specialty is not really lion dance equipment (just like Cheong Kee Jan) and they don't always have the best merchandise. Right now, they are out of lion dance drums, too. But they are the only place I know with kei luns (unicorns). Very interesting. They are open everyday but Sunday. I think Excelsius and Clarion are the same place.

Of these three, Jonie's is the best place, hands down. Her best deal is her drums which are only $210 for 26" and I think $50 more for 28", whereas other places sell drums for $350 and up. She also has some of Master Siow's heads in stock, but they sell for $1000. She does custom work, like putting on the laser paper on her drums ($50 extra), refinishing her lion heads, and making custom costumes. I would have considered buying some of Master Siow's heads from her, but for $1000 each you could go to Malaysia and get one head yourself for that price.

If you can, you should check out Darwell Imports as they have the best prices. From downtown SF, take the MUNI 15 all the way down to 25th St. I believe. Go 2 blocks west, just past the 101 highway entrance ramp. I have to warn you that they are out of stock on drums and cymbals right now, though. They do have some lion heads left but their best stuff is gone (they get their new shipment only every November, and things go fast).

Alot of the big souvenir places in Chinatown are now carrying some lion heads and various other lion dance equipment. But once again they are way overpriced and lion dance stuff is not their specialty. Your first choice should always be Darwell and Jonie's - Darwell for general stuff like instruments and inexpensive Chinese lions and Jonie's for really nice lions, costumes, and accessories.

Clarion's lions are pretty wild and not too commonly seen. Jing Mo's website has some pictures of Clarion's lions - the Hoc Shan ones with the bright neon colors, etc. People either love them or hate them. I personally like their shape, but some of the colors are just too weird for me! One other thing to mention is that Clarion's lions are short tailed as well as Jonie's lions. Darwell has long tail lions only.

Albert Le, Wed, 19 Apr 2000 18:39:08 -0700
Darwell has more newer models. They're the same models clarion has, but they have different and smaller color selections, but darwell is cheaper. I've been to their place and showroom. Darwell's selection from the last time i went were not every exotic colors(the new models) while clarion stretches the mind kinda. If you go to Jing Mo's website, they have those models. Go to California Groups on the Lion's Cave. This is what I saw from the last time I went to Clarion and Darwells(on the same daY) a month ago. Clarion has deluxe metallic red, white fur and black, rainbow, i think metalic orange(white fur), metallic black and black fur.(they are more i think but i don't remember the rest).Medium, Pink Fur and purple fur. At darwell's from what was in the showroom, medium black and red tail(black fur) and white fur rainbow tail. All of the mediums are Hac Son styled and all the deluxe seem to be Fat Shan.

Cheong Kee Jan

BKLouie, Wed, 17 May 2000 02:56:46 EDT
Chong Kee Jan does not specialize in lion heads. When you first walk in, you will find to your right a glass window w/three lion heads in it. One is an orange lion, the other a rainbow-colored lion, and the last a black lion. All are the same size and type. They are way overpriced...the lion heads are selling for $695 while the tails (which you have to buy seperate) to match them are going for $350. There is one drum with a flower print on the side as well as a few Chinese characters on the skin which sells for $350. One thing I noticed though, they have a large selection on gongs with much variety. Again, most are overpriced. They had some cymbals but I cannot remember what they were selling for. They also had a dragon in the window which was VERY small and didn't have a very long tail which was selling for $1,950. So if you don't mind paying alot more that you need to for a lion head, go to Chong Kee Jan. But I recommend other places in the S.F./Bay Area such as Darwell Imports, Clarion Music Center, and/or Jonie Uniforms.

Clarion Music Center/
Excelsiour Music, Inc.

Albert Le, Sat, 22 Apr 2000 23:23:46 -0700
Clarion's might not be the cheapest, but they are one of the cheapest. they are probably some of the friendliest people you can buy from. There stuff is just like Darwell's new stuff. Darwell's and Clarion are both friendly. At Clarion, right now there are still some excellent selections left but i think you would have to wait when they get there next shipment of lions and drums. Clarion is a little more money than Darwell's is but it doesn't matter if your looking for a nice lion. Their shop is very nice after their renovation. When you go in, and you want to look at lion, just ask. They'll get one down for you and if you want pants, just ask and they'll show you to some. The pants are pretty nice. Overall a good place to buy from.

Darwell Imports

Sherman Wong, Sun, 21 Jul 1996 00:24:41 -1000
A good place in San Fran to get decent looking Lions at a pretty good Price. If you ever heard of Darwell Imports on 25th Ave (I think) talk to Corine Lai. She usually brings in a whole container load in the later part of the year. Tell her I referred you. They have the boring Fatsan heads but they also have a line of "Neon" Fatsan Heads. Check out some of the pictures on the CPCA Homepage and look at the Black and Green lion and also the Red lion. Those were from the Darwell Neon line. We slightly changed the tail and fur but they look pretty good "as is".
The ones you should look for are the one's Corine calls the Neon lions. They are also black, red and colorful but the painting is - in my opinion - nicer. They have a lot of "tiger stripe" patterns instead of the flaming swirly type patterns on the traditional fatsan lions. They also have the flat toothed mounths as opposed to the old style fatsan heads with the wire teeth. However, Corine only gets these Neon heads once or twice a year. She usually gets a shipment in around October or November and she usually sells out of the Neon lions by New Years.
Corine was very helpful. She took photographs of all the lions and mailed them to me before I bought them. She also sold me a family of Northern lions. However, I don't think she carries any more Northern lions. The heads cost $450 plus an additional $60 for shipping to my front door. They arrived in pretty good shape.

M. Vo, Fri, 21 Apr 2000 13:32:35 -0700 (PDT)
I have had a few experience with Darwell. I found their services to be very good. I talked Corine there and I also communicate over e-mail too. I had ordered from them a drum, cymbols, gongs, buddha head, and lion head. They are pretty quick if items are in stock. I am planning on getting another one as backup for next new year, since I know from experience this year to get equipment early otherwise they run out!
Anyways, when you ask Corine to send you a catalog, ask her to send you a list of prices too...I found that sheet to be very helpful in ordering.

Kirby Lim, Tue, 2 Sep 1997 07:20:00 -1000
Darwell Import is open Monday thru Friday only. My contact here is Corine Lai, Office Manager. She assisted with the displaying of several lion heads that they have in stock. They carry the basic white (Pei), red (Kuan) and black (Chang). They also have the gold lions (head trimmed with orangish nylon hair/body is a golden yellow tail with white fur trim). They had a full stock of different sizes (1, 2 & 3s)-- not sure what they have now. They also carry the coordinating pants. Being 6 ft tall, they naturally didn't have my size. Corinne has been very helpful and she even let me take pix of the lions. They have an awesome red lion on display in their showroom. It's painted as an older Kuan/darker head colors. All their heads are fat-shan. My price was US$450 for a multi-color Size 1. I paid an additional US$80 to have it trucked to Southern California. I purchased it Friday and the darn lion had beaten me home! They use a small trucking carrier. Darwell carefully double-boxed my head. It arrived in good conditon/no damage. The elder staff took extra care. They give that special touch for YOUR merchandise. That's why I feel you won't be disappointed with 'em.

Willy, Wed, 19 Apr 2000 23:45:23 -0500
I definitely know they have a lot better heads when they get their new shipment every year since my troupe leader has gotten stuff there for a long time. All kinds of colors available (not just what's featured in the catalog). Actually, the catalog is pretty bad. Doesn't show you what they really have.

Jonie Uniforms

Albert Le, Tue, 02 May 2000 16:28:03 -0700
I have been to their location once. It's just a converted residential building. Unfortunately I did not call the place to tell we were coming. Jonie was in Shanghai at the time and all the drums were at her house and the lions were somewhere else. The girl the was there was friendly when we came so you people should be able to feel welcomed. I have ordered through the website and I must say it is not that bad. The only bad thing about ordering of the website is that you can't specify things like if you wanted laser paper on your drum or a certain color of lion. THat you got to do by phone or mail. The delivery came in a 2 or 3 weeks. Not bad. They pretty good lions and they offer Master Siow's malaysian lions too. Their prices aren't that cheap, but what else would you offer for such nice lions. Pretty good place to order from if you're a up and running team that's been in the business a while. Begining teams should go to Darwells.

If you've been to or purchased equipment from a store in this area and would like to write a review, email it to me and I'll include it here the next time I update the page.

	Cheong Kee Jan
BKLouie, Wed, 17 May 2000 02:56:46 EDT Chong Kee Jan does not specialize in lion heads. When you first walk in, you will find to your right a glass window w/three lion heads in it. One is an orange lion, the other a rainbow-colored lion, and the last a black lion. All are the same size and type. They are way overpriced...the lion heads are selling for $695 while the tails (which you have to buy seperate) to match them are going for $350. There is one drum with a flower print on the side as well as a few Chinese characters on the skin which sells for $350. One thing I noticed though, they have a large selection on gongs with much variety. Again, most are overpriced. They had some cymbals but I cannot remember what they were selling for. They also had a dragon in the window which was VERY small and didn't have a very long tail which was selling for $1,950. So if you don't mind paying alot more that you need to for a lion head, go to Chong Kee Jan. But I recommend other places in the S.F./Bay Area such as Darwell Imports, Clarion Music Center, and/or Jonie Uniforms.

	Clarion Music Center/ Excelsiour Music, Inc.
Albert Le, Sat, 22 Apr 2000 23:23:46 -0700 Clarion's might not be the cheapest, but they are one of the cheapest. they are probably some of the friendliest people you can buy from. There stuff is just like Darwell's new stuff. Darwell's and Clarion are both friendly. At Clarion, right now there are still some excellent selections left but i think you would have to wait when they get there next shipment of lions and drums. Clarion is a little more money than Darwell's is but it doesn't matter if your looking for a nice lion. Their shop is very nice after their renovation. When you go in, and you want to look at lion, just ask. They'll get one down for you and if you want pants, just ask and they'll show you to some. The pants are pretty nice. Overall a good place to buy from.

	Darwell Imports
Sherman Wong, Sun, 21 Jul 1996 00:24:41 -1000 A good place in San Fran to get decent looking Lions at a pretty good Price. If you ever heard of Darwell Imports on 25th Ave (I think) talk to Corine Lai. She usually brings in a whole container load in the later part of the year. Tell her I referred you. They have the boring Fatsan heads but they also have a line of "Neon" Fatsan Heads. Check out some of the pictures on the CPCA Homepage and look at the Black and Green lion and also the Red lion. Those were from the Darwell Neon line. We slightly changed the tail and fur but they look pretty good "as is". The ones you should look for are the one's Corine calls the Neon lions. They are also black, red and colorful but the painting is - in my opinion - nicer. They have a lot of "tiger stripe" patterns instead of the flaming swirly type patterns on the traditional fatsan lions. They also have the flat toothed mounths as opposed to the old style fatsan heads with the wire teeth. However, Corine only gets these Neon heads once or twice a year. She usually gets a shipment in around October or November and she usually sells out of the Neon lions by New Years. Corine was very helpful. She took photographs of all the lions and mailed them to me before I bought them. She also sold me a family of Northern lions. However, I don't think she carries any more Northern lions. The heads cost $450 plus an additional $60 for shipping to my front door. They arrived in pretty good shape.
M. Vo, Fri, 21 Apr 2000 13:32:35 -0700 (PDT) I have had a few experience with Darwell. I found their services to be very good. I talked Corine there and I also communicate over e-mail too. I had ordered from them a drum, cymbols, gongs, buddha head, and lion head. They are pretty quick if items are in stock. I am planning on getting another one as backup for next new year, since I know from experience this year to get equipment early otherwise they run out! Anyways, when you ask Corine to send you a catalog, ask her to send you a list of prices too...I found that sheet to be very helpful in ordering.
Kirby Lim, Tue, 2 Sep 1997 07:20:00 -1000 Darwell Import is open Monday thru Friday only. My contact here is Corine Lai, Office Manager. She assisted with the displaying of several lion heads that they have in stock. They carry the basic white (Pei), red (Kuan) and black (Chang). They also have the gold lions (head trimmed with orangish nylon hair/body is a golden yellow tail with white fur trim). They had a full stock of different sizes (1, 2 & 3s)-- not sure what they have now. They also carry the coordinating pants. Being 6 ft tall, they naturally didn't have my size. Corinne has been very helpful and she even let me take pix of the lions. They have an awesome red lion on display in their showroom. It's painted as an older Kuan/darker head colors. All their heads are fat-shan. My price was US$450 for a multi-color Size 1. I paid an additional US$80 to have it trucked to Southern California. I purchased it Friday and the darn lion had beaten me home! They use a small trucking carrier. Darwell carefully double-boxed my head. It arrived in good conditon/no damage. The elder staff took extra care. They give that special touch for YOUR merchandise. That's why I feel you won't be disappointed with 'em.
Willy, Wed, 19 Apr 2000 23:45:23 -0500 I definitely know they have a lot better heads when they get their new shipment every year since my troupe leader has gotten stuff there for a long time. All kinds of colors available (not just what's featured in the catalog). Actually, the catalog is pretty bad. Doesn't show you what they really have.

	Jonie Uniforms
Albert Le, Tue, 02 May 2000 16:28:03 -0700 I have been to their location once. It's just a converted residential building. Unfortunately I did not call the place to tell we were coming. Jonie was in Shanghai at the time and all the drums were at her house and the lions were somewhere else. The girl the was there was friendly when we came so you people should be able to feel welcomed. I have ordered through the website and I must say it is not that bad. The only bad thing about ordering of the website is that you can't specify things like if you wanted laser paper on your drum or a certain color of lion. THat you got to do by phone or mail. The delivery came in a 2 or 3 weeks. Not bad. They pretty good lions and they offer Master Siow's malaysian lions too. Their prices aren't that cheap, but what else would you offer for such nice lions. Pretty good place to order from if you're a up and running team that's been in the business a while. Begining teams should go to Darwells.