best finish on euph's?

[coolguy684]

So there has been satin silver, bright silver, and lacquer. More recently theres the trims: bright silver trim with satin silver, and gold/black nickel/platinum with bright silver. Any thoughts on the best?

I ask because I know many trumpet players on some other forum were appalled by what some ebay seller did to a...Olds Recording i think it was? The ebayer turned it from its original lacquer to bright silver with gold trim. Would euph players be turned off by an imperial in bright silver, with custom gold trim?

[ydave]

HI

I have a late Imperial in dark silver plate- as in the same as the original Round Stamp Soveriegn. It is its original plating, in fact when I compare it to my round stamp, it appears that it is only the bell and lead pipe which are different. I have never seen another like it, this age of imperial is normally the classic frosted silver.

I didn't like the gold 'bling' when it came out, but now I preffer dark silver plate with gold. I got used to it when I had a Sterling. Infact I put gold prestige top and bottom valve caps and a gold Sterling heavy 4th valve bottom cap on my round stamp. Modern instruments look slightly plain to me now if they are all silver!
I like the look of Prestiges but find them too bright sounding so I'm back on the round stamp until somehing can beat it for me!

I like the variety of finishes that companies like Adams provide, but ultimately like the Sound (arguable) and longjevity of Silver plate.

I also think the darker silver plate with black laquire accents that York did to be one of the 'bonniest' finishes you can get.

So to answer the question- I have no problem plating an old classic in a diferent manor to its orriginal- it can always be changed back! But I wouldn't like to use modern looking out f charictor braces etc on them. I have several classic Euphs which came in raw brass, but if money were no object I'd like them plated (better than getting smelly hands off the brass)- but I preffer to keep the structure of the euph the same.

Having said that I can never find a euph to better (across the board) my Round stamp- so it is quite altered to try to creat my perfect euph!: Third valve water key added, lyre box moved to 1st valve slde, Wilson nylon valve guides to replace the old noisey metal ones, Sterling 4th valve heavy cap, the rest of the top and bottom caps new prestige ones alng with black finger buttons, at present awaiting a new Eminence lead pipe and recever to fit on unsoldered to the bell with just one brace (this transformed my 2900), I've considered retro fitting a trigger but I don't like the extra wieght they add, any way I'm so used to lipping the notes around!

By the way if you live in the UK and want the easiest playing big sounding euph I've ever come accross.... I'm getting around to selling the 2900 with the emminance Lead pipe and reciever- imaculate. Over the last few years I've tried and sold them all!:
Prestige, Eminence, Courtouis 167, 551, Sterling, 642, modern 967, old 966, Geneva and several others. I even tried several Wilson 2950 and 2960s and they can't touch the 2900 with the Eminance lead pipe. I've come to the conclusion that the round stamp just feels too 'like home' I love the sound and feel of the instrument, but have to work around the tuning and hard to blow factors compared to the rest, I guess I'm set in my ways!

Just my ramblings.................
Cheers Dave

[Pat]

I guess another consideration is whether you're refinishing it to keep it or refinishing it to sell it. If you're looking to keep it, then it's whatever pleases you. If you're looking to sell it, then you have to consider your audience. As a buyer I expects New Standards to come in lacquer or satin silver. If I see one with a different finish, I might wonder if the seller is trying to pull a fast one.

[ERocky]

I like the look of satin silver with gold accents such as the design on the bell, caps and valve tops. on the bells turned forward gold washed, cause it doesn't make sense for bell up.

[cochranme]

The correct answer is tie dye, ala Pat Sheridan:

http://pedalc.files.wordpress....4/patrick-sheridan.jpg

[coolguy684]

well thats definitly interesting....I think i'll stick with silver for now xD

[davewerden]

I have to say I like a couple of the new Adams' finishes, where they are using a satin lacquer (over bright metal, I assume). They also offer a "scratch" finish, which has clear lacquer over brushes brass, but the satin lacquer is more subtle as far as I can tell. Here are a couple photos from the Adams Euphonium Page:

The satin version of the horn I now have:







And the gold version with satin lacquer:

[coolguy684]

The "standard" for now appears to be bright silver with gold accents. I find gold plated tuning slides a bit much though....like the ones on the 842 and Sterling ( flagship model name?)

The Inderbinen is quite the character though

[PigLord]

I find the Inderbinen's "raw brass" finish quite pleasing. Adams also makes a "raw brass" euphonium that gives a more vintage feel than the Inderbinen. (Pictures of the Adams "raw brass" look are on Dillons website).

[cochranme]

I've always liked the "brushed" look. On a slight tangent, if anyone ever gets a chance to see Marc Dickman play live, check out his Besson. He has some of the coolest custom engraving I've seen on a euphonium.