I don't know if this forum needs another "I just got an Adams" thread, but just like others in the same situation, I am excited about it and wanted to share my experience so far. My perspective may be a little different than others since I am an amateur. One can argue whether it is "appropriate" for someone like me to invest in a high-end instrument (which was discussed recently in another thread), but at this point I have no regrets.
This instrument is the .60 mm E1 lacquered brass with sterling silver bell. From others' descriptions that seems to be the most often preferred model. I have always said that with this sort of thing that one should "try before you buy" but I did not follow my own advice. I kind of came upon it by "accident", as I was inquiring about another instrument that was advertised on the Tuba Exchange website. The one I bought had been returned by a previous customer and had "tiny nicks" in the bell, which was good of them to disclose, but quite honestly it took me some time to find the defect--it is trivial in my opinion. But that plus the fact that it was a return was an opportunity for a really good deal that I felt was too good to pass on.
**This brings me to a question which hopefully someone can address... It was described to me as .60 mm and I have no reason to think that it is not, but I was wondering how would one verify this, i.e. is the metal thickness stamped on the instrument somewhere?
It arrived un-damaged via truck on a pallet with a HUGE box (which apparently at one time housed a Chinese C Tuba), and the case was suspended in the interior of the box by several cubic feet of foam. It would have been hard to damage the instrument in that box even if you tried. That, plus other impressions I got from Tuba Exchange in my limited experience dealing with them would make me inclined to recommend them.
Appearance-wise this thing is beautiful. It has some serious bling going on, and seems so "bright" in contrast to my Besson (which is lacquered brass with 43 years of patina). I love the way the silver bell and accents go with the brass.
Tone-wise, it sounds very nice, but not really all that different to my ear from my Besson--which is a good thing I suppose, because I really like the way my Besson sounds. All things being equal, it is maybe a little "fuller, richer, louder", not quite as much "edge" to it? I don't really perceive the unique silver-bell resonance thing that I have read about, but as has been pointed out to me, I have not played it in a large room, so it is likely I am not getting the full effect.
I have fiddled a little with the adjustable receiver a little but haven't really figured out the best place for it yet. I imagine it has more to do with the mouthpiece being used rather than the person playing (?).
**I am using an SM4X--anyone out there using the same mp with this horn, and if so, where are you placing the receiver. (I currently have it 2 turns out from all the way in.)
The valve springs are MUCH lighter than what I am accustomed to. I wiped out the casings and oiled the valves prior to playing. They seem to be a nice tight precision fit, but even with the light springs, I haven't noticed any sticking. I may consider going to a little heavier spring at some point.
Lower register is a little more "full" than my Besson but not dramatically so. Upper range and just playing in general seems to be do-able with less effort. It doesn't exactly play itself, but on faster stuff I have a better chance of hitting the right note and it just doesn't seem like I am working so hard. Others have described this better than I could, but I'll just say it is definitely a noticeable difference in terms of effort. I would THINK that if it is easier to blow, the air would just go through the horn faster and I would run out of breath, but that is not the case, it is not that simple. Something else is going on that I don't pretend to understand. Bottom line, it is easier to play on and sound better doing it, so I foresee that I am going to play more and enjoy it more, so that right there is the main return on investment, or at least that is what comes to mind at the moment.
I didn't spend a lot of time using the tuner, but did enough to verify that the sixth partial Eb concert (the sharpest note on my Besson) is right on , but there a couple other notes (6th partial F, middle G, middle Gb) which I noticed were kind of sharp but I think "lip-able" for the most part. In general I would say the intonation is definitely better than what I am used to, and it seems easier to adjust pitch with my embouchure.
So far so good!