FS: Really Pretty 1918 Couturier Euphonium - 3-Valves - Silver

[davewerden]

Below is the seller's description of this rare instrument, but look at the photos here and in the post. What a lovely-looking instrument! Experienced seller is very highly rated. Buy-it-now is $650 but there is also a bid button.

THE HORN SOLD FOR $600

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Silver-Plated-Couturier-Baritone-1918-LaPorte-Idianna-/321652678712

This Couturier Baritone was made in La Porte Indiana in 1918, Serial # 2042, This horn is silver plated, This is a very rare example in excellent condition of a conical bore baritone, This horn is in good playing condition, Valves and slides move freely, The length of the instrument is 26.5", The bell diameter is 11", This instrument needs no repair and was recently checked at Meridian Winds, The case is used but in good working condition as seen in photos, Couturier mouthpiece is included as seen in photos, Thanks for your interest!

[Garcky]

I love the shapes of the valve tubing on that instrument. It's as much a beautiful piece of design as it is an instrument. It's probably a high pitch horn, but what a beautiful thing.

[daruby]

The Couturier's had conical tubing from beginning to end. The idea was one could get a better sound by having conical shape to the slide tubing. Thus, as you can see, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd valve slides cannot be pulled for tuning. There is a tuning slide in the leadpipe and one after the leadpipe. I have never played one of these horns. If it is indeed high pitch, it would be virtually impossible to alter because you couldn't easily lengthen the valve tubing.

[Garcky]

The Couturier's had conical tubing from beginning to end. The idea was one could get a better sound by having conical shape to the slide tubing. Thus, as you can see, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd valve slides cannot be pulled for tuning. There is a tuning slide in the leadpipe and one after the leadpipe. I have never played one of these horns. If it is indeed high pitch, it would be virtually impossible to alter because you couldn't easily lengthen the valve tubing.

Those horns are museum pieces, really. The design is artistic and the concept for them is fascinating. I can't be sure it's high pitch, but that's likely. Either way, though, some collector is bound to grab this.

[davewerden]

I'm not sure I can explain myself logically, but, no kidding, if my house had more space I'd own that horn by now. It just "called" to me. Hey, even my wife thought I should get it!

[daruby]

So Dave. Just get it! You know what they say. A man can never have enough euphoniums!

[davewerden]

So Dave. Just get it! You know what they say. A man can never have enough euphoniums!

[Garcky]

I'm not sure I can explain myself logically, but, no kidding, if my house had more space I'd own that horn by now. It just "called" to me. Hey, even my wife thought I should get it!

I understand that completely. Logic doesn't come into play at all.

[carbogast]

I bought the horn at the reserve price of $600. My hope is that it will be a companion to my 1910 high pitch horn and I can play euphonium duets with a friend. But, I'm also thinking "what have I got myself into"? Getting the valves aligned and keeping it clean will be a real challenge. I suppose an ultrasonic bath is the way to go. - Carroll

[davewerden]

Congratulations, Carroll!! I'm a little jealous, but I had my chance.

[ghmerrill]

My hope is that it will be a companion to my 1910 high pitch horn and I can play euphonium duets with a friend. But, I'm also thinking "what have I got myself into"?

Well, I don't believe that you've thought this through since there is still further to go with it.

First, you can begin to organize period instrument groups in your area so that you'll have others you can play in tune with. That in turn will encourage you to make more acquisitions of this sort.

Second, you need to be able to play with accompaniment. If you have a piano, you probably don't want to re-tune it to the higher pitch since then you wouldn't be able to use it with your modern instruments. So you should start looking for another piano you can tune to the high pitch. Or maybe a nice harpsichord. This could be expensive (and you might end up needing a larger house as well -- which is more added expense), but there's another more economical alternative: Get a decent electronic keyboard where you can adjust the pitch appropriately.

I think that these are the directions you on which you should now focus. I'm just trying to be helpful.

[carbogast]

Congratulations, Carroll!! I'm a little jealous, but I had my chance.

I hope I wasn't bidding against you... in any event, it now has a home where all the forum members can check up on it from time to time.

[carbogast]

Well, I don't believe that you've thought this through since there is still further to go with it.

First, you can begin to organize period instrument groups in your area so that you'll have others you can play in tune with. That in turn will encourage you to make more acquisitions of this sort.

Second, you need to be able to play with accompaniment. If you have a piano, you probably don't want to re-tune it to the higher pitch since then you wouldn't be able to use it with your modern instruments. So you should start looking for another piano you can tune to the high pitch. Or maybe a nice harpsichord. This could be expensive (and you might end up needing a larger house as well -- which is more added expense), but there's another more economical alternative: Get a decent electronic keyboard where you can adjust the pitch appropriately.

I think that these are the directions you on which you should now focus. I'm just trying to be helpful.

Maybe a vintage brass quintet? Tuba, euphonium, 2 cornets and French horn. Hmm... even that will require a larger house!

[Garcky]

I bought the horn at the reserve price of $600. My hope is that it will be a companion to my 1910 high pitch horn and I can play euphonium duets with a friend. But, I'm also thinking "what have I got myself into"? Getting the valves aligned and keeping it clean will be a real challenge. I suppose an ultrasonic bath is the way to go. - Carroll

Outstanding. I'm hoping to hear more about it. I was in love with that horn, but it's not in my budget, so I'll have to live through you. Think about getting together with others with high-pitch instruments in a quartet or something. It would be fun!

[daruby]

Getting the valves aligned and keeping it clean will be a real challenge. I suppose an ultrasonic bath is the way to go. - Carroll

Carroll, Valve alignment is actually easy. Just have the technician pull out an adjacent valve and check alignment through the valve-to-valve ports rather than up through the slides. Doug

PS. I will be glad to help you on duets!