Taking the Plunge
I'm brand-spanking new to the forum and while I've posted on Sean Chisham's site a few dozen times, it's really nice to come to a forum that's almost all euph-related. Thanks, Dave, for this setup! (Better late than never, I guess, especially since I note it's been around for 4 years now. )
Anyway, post-retirement from the Army, I still play and indeed, cannot not play. These days I find myself playing more bass 'bone than anything, but I am first and foremost a eupher. I've never achieved anything close to the pinnacle of the profession - but that's okay!
Just a short blurb about my current equipment - I've played Bessons almost exclusively for the best part of 35 years. Some 15 years ago I bought a 967 from a friend of mine, who had purchased it new from WWBW a year or so before I bought it from him. This 967 is a fine horn and I've enjoyed playing it over the years. But the sharp 6th partial has been ever-present, and it got to the point where I had an after-market main tuning slide paddle put on it about 4 years ago, expertly done by Dan Schultz (The Tuba Tinker). The paddle does what it's supposed to and I've learned to use it, but I'm always aware that there are horns out there that don't have as big a problem with the 6th partial as most Bessons have - and mine is no exception.
Anyway, after long and careful consideration (and permission from my viola-playing wife), it's time for a new horn. I've done a good amount of research and understand the biggest elements of the latest State of Euph Manufacturer Affairs (SEMA), and I've called the biggest sources for euphs here in the States - you all know them, so I won't get into that here.
I am considering first trying the Sterling Virtuoso through Custom Music. We'll see how that goes. Then I'll try the Hirsbrunner Exclusive and gauge that.
If necessary, I'll sojourn up to WWBW and evaluate as many horns as I can get them to bring in.
These places are offering the most bang for the buck right now. I'm well aware of Dillon's for example - Matt did some work on my 967 about 10 years ago that did wonders for the valves. And I'm not ruling out a trip to NJ - but I'm reasonably certain I can find a horn that will "click" for me by staying closer to home (mid-Missouri).
Dave has a great tutorial on how to purchase a new horn, and I fully intend to use his protocol, or something close to it. It's important for me to gauge how well the horn slots, intonation in that troublesome 6th partial, to see and hear and feel where there might be bad notes. Fit, form, and function are also important - one reason why I've never liked Yamahas - they just don't feel right to me.
Anyway, I just thought I'd chime in on my 2nd thread here, and hope to spend more time reading and learning about my chosen instrument with all of you.
U.S. Army, Retired (built mid-1950s)
Adams E2 Euph (built 2017)
Boosey & Co. Imperial Euph (built 1941)
Edwards B454 Bass Trombone (built 2012)
Boosey & Hawkes Imperial Eb tuba (built 1958)
Kanstul 33-T lBBb tuba (built 2010)