I don't own an Adams, I may never own an Adams because it's hard for me to justify that kind of expense, but the two times I have played one were practically religious experiences. By far the best euphonium ever made
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Alternatives to the Adams Horn
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With the level of euphonium nirvana Adams has achieved, it's a wonder that the Adams Tuba line has yet to receive much buzz or acclaim over on Tubenet. Their CC looks absolutely beautiful in photos but not often mentioned. Price perhaps? The only Euphoniums that don't seem too get mentioned as frequently here, in general, are Willsons. I never quite understood why but then again I've never played one. I always enjoy keeping up with this forum and have learned a lot.Bob Tampa FL USA
Euph -- 1984 B&H Round Stamp Sovereign 967 / 1978 Besson NS 767 / Early 90s Sterling MP: 4AL and GW Carbonaria
Tuba -- 2014 Wisemann 900 CC / 2013 Mack 410 MP: Blokepiece Symphony American Shank and 33.2 #2 Rim
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Originally posted by tampaworth View PostWith the level of euphonium nirvana Adams has achieved, it's a wonder that the Adams Tuba line has yet to receive much buzz or acclaim over on Tubenet. Their CC looks absolutely beautiful in photos but not often mentioned. Price perhaps? The only Euphoniums that don't seem too get mentioned as frequently here, in general, are Willsons. I never quite understood why but then again I've never played one. I always enjoy keeping up with this forum and have learned a lot.
I never actually played on one until last december and i was amazed. I liked it more than the Adams E1 .55 I played one week before that, which I already liked more than the instrument I was already playing, which I liked quite a bit. Generally, I think Willsons have a more solid construction, or at least it feels that way. Also, it is far more easy for me to hit high notes on Willsons (I played a 2950 TA and a 2960 TA Celebration) than on any other instrument i played on (including the Adams, where i had to unscrew the receiver gap at least 4 or 5 turns to make the high G, A and B flat anywhere close to even being playable. Might just be my specific airstream though). Also the Willsons have not that much differences in tuning inbetween the notes themselves, so you don't have to correct massively.
But I too am learning a lot on this forumEuphoniums
2008 Willson 2960TA Celebration
1979 Boosey & Hawkes Sovereign (Round Stamp)
Mouthpiece: Denis Wick SM4
Baritone
1975 Besson New Standard
Mouthpiece: Courtois 10
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Willsons are good horns and are well-known in some circles. Here is my review of the 2960 from ITEC last year:
http://www.dwerden.com/forum/entry.p...ng-and-Willson
The Adams E1/.55 is not intended to compete directly with the Willson. The two horns have a totally different concept. Adams makes their E2/.80 to attract folks who like Willson but want the other qualities an Adams brings. And in fact one of the Adams artists switched from Willson to the E2/.80 model.Dave Werden (ASCAP)
Euphonium Soloist, U.S. Coast Guard Band, retired
Adams Artist (Adams E3)
Alliance Mouthpiece DC3, Wick 4AL, Wick 4ABL
YouTube: dwerden
Facebook: davewerden
Twitter: davewerden
Instagram: davewerdeneuphonium
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I played a new Wilson at TMEA this year and was pleasantly surprised I liked it. I say surprised because I played an older one at my last school and did not like it at all, the tone just seemed very bland and intonationion on the 2nd valve was terrible with those two horns the school had(medium shank models). When I played the new Wilson I like the response and tone of it, it had a nice characteristic sound on the brighter side of course, but for my tastes I didn't prefer it because it was slightly more resistant and was a physically uncomfortable build for a person of my size, I'm 6'2 with lanky long arms and I just felt I was holding something really small.Might just be my specific airstream though
I don't remember my friend ever mentioning something specific why he didn't like them but when he was looking at a tuba to buy at ITEC this summer he played literally everything and just didn't seem very interested in Adams. He played all their horns but quickly moved on and stayed longest playing on the Kanstul 5/4 CC in Red brass, and the B&S area, I'm assuming it was a PT-6(4/4CC i believe with rotary valves) that he eventually bought. He played an older used Hirsbrunner and liked it, but he said it just had a few quirks and was too expensive for a used horn. Ended up buying the B&S brand new for around the same price.Adams E1 SS, Gold Brass Body .6mm DE Euph N103 Jcup, J9 shank
Meinl Weston 2141 Eb Tuba PT 84
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Originally posted by Jrpetty24 View PostI don't remember my friend ever mentioning something specific why he didn't like them but when he was looking at a tuba to buy at ITEC this summer he played literally everything and just didn't seem very interested in Adams. He played all their horns but quickly moved on and stayed longest playing on the Kanstul 5/4 CC in Red brass, and the B&S area, I'm assuming it was a PT-6(4/4CC i believe with rotary valves) that he eventually bought. He played an older used Hirsbrunner and liked it, but he said it just had a few quirks and was too expensive for a used horn. Ended up buying the B&S brand new for around the same price.Dave Werden (ASCAP)
Euphonium Soloist, U.S. Coast Guard Band, retired
Adams Artist (Adams E3)
Alliance Mouthpiece DC3, Wick 4AL, Wick 4ABL
YouTube: dwerden
Facebook: davewerden
Twitter: davewerden
Instagram: davewerdeneuphonium
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As a Willson 2900S player, the only brand I'd consider switching to is the Adams although my experience with their horns is extremely limited. My Willson is a very early model, probably made in 1980 or 81. I went to college with Roger Behrend and he raved about the Willson while we were at MSU playing Sovereigns. He studied with Brian Bowman who was one of the earliest adopters of the 2900. I've rarely thought the horn anything but outstanding. There are some intonation issues, but only the Adams is significantly better. The 3rd partial F concert is quite sharp and the A above that quite flat. Other than that the intonation is very good. What I really love about it is the tone quality and the high range speaks very clearly up to the high D. Willson makes a sturdy heavy horn with a resonant tone. I recently played a newer model 2900 at NABBA with a trigger and there were some differences. The newer horns vibrate more(different bracing?). The tone is similar.
I played an Adams at a dealer about 18 months ago. It was more of an entry level model without the SS bell and in a lighter metal. The response and intonation were great but I struggled with the upper range and the sound was light. I'd love to try a higher end version.
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Originally posted by euphphilli View PostThanks for the feedback everyone, I'm in contact with Aaron now. Dealing direct with Adams has already proven to be much easier than going through a dealer.
http://www.dwerden.com/forum/showthr...New-Adams-EuphDave Werden (ASCAP)
Euphonium Soloist, U.S. Coast Guard Band, retired
Adams Artist (Adams E3)
Alliance Mouthpiece DC3, Wick 4AL, Wick 4ABL
YouTube: dwerden
Facebook: davewerden
Twitter: davewerden
Instagram: davewerdeneuphonium
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Just a word about alternatives to Adams...Just 4 Brass is now carrying Sterling in stock. You can order a Virtuoso for a list price of under $7,000 from Mark Stuckemeyer. A comparable Besson is over $8,000.Adams E3 0.60 Sterling bell - Prototype top sprung valves
Concord Band
Winchendon Winds
Townsend Military Band
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Originally posted by tampaworth View PostWith the level of euphonium nirvana Adams has achieved
in in all seriousness, Adams are well-built, high quality, undeniably beautiful instruments. However, they will only do whatever the user tells them to do. I'm glad that so many here have had positive experiences with them, but I get a little concerned that people may expect them to possess magical properties. Playing an Adams isn't going to fix any fundamental problems that the player has. Same for Besson, Willson, Yamaha, or any other high quality instruments. I love my horn and it works wonderfully for me, but it is probably responsible for less than 30% of the total package that is my playing. It would be like me buying a $500 tennis racquet: it will work great...if I'm a great tennis player.Martin Cochran
Adams Performing Artist
mceuph75@gmail.com
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Originally posted by daruby View PostJust a word about alternatives to Adams...Just 4 Brass is now carrying Sterling in stock. You can order a Virtuoso for a list price of under $7,000 from Mark Stuckemeyer. A comparable Besson is over $8,000.- Scott
Euphoniums: Dillon 967, Monzani MZEP-1150S, Dillon 1067 (kid’s horn)
Bass Trombones: Greenhoe GB5-3G, Getzen 1052FDR, JP232
King Jiggs P-bone
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