New (to me) Baritone
Hey guys...I have a new member of the family. I purchased a Salvation Army Triumphonic baritone (see pictures below) from eBay. It came today and I am very pleased. This horn is unuseual since it is a 3 valve compensator. Most SA horns were not compensators. When I visited Charley Brighton last summer, he had a "Super Triumphonic" euphonium that was produced near the end of the SA production at St. Albans. His was essentially a small bell clone of a Boosey Imperial. Apparently the SA were trying to produce professional quality horns and were able to make a few using Besson's design.
My SA Triumphonic baritone unusual because it is also a clone of a Besson New Standard baritone. The design and the serial number (#31794) should make it later in the SA production. (Charley, if you are listening, I'd love to find out exactly when this was produced). UPDATE: Charley's euphonium is #319xx and was produced in 1965. I suspect that mine is pretty near that date (mid-60's).
The horn cleaned up very nicely. I will post some "after" pictures shortly. It playes well, though there is a little valve leakage. Also, some dents on the outer branch and the 1st valve slide is stuck. All else is near perfect. The horn is VERY well constructed and made of very thick brass. It feels as heavy as my 4-valve York baritone.
The collection is now up to 2 English euphs, 2 American euphs, 2 English baritones, and a Holton Superbone. You never can have enough euphoniumes!
Doug
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