You can piano a tuna, but can you tune a Willson?

[unwiredmedic]

I've owned my Willson 2950TA since September, and it seems that the tuning slides are about worthless. I seem to have to adjust everything from the embouchure alone. Is this correct in your experience and knowledge?

Also, coming from a non-comp euph to this comp euph, I don't seem to find a true main tuning slide. I'm use to the large slide in the front, but this one has one in front and back. I can't find a tuning guide for this horn in any of my searches. I know correct embouchure is essential, but in this horn, I find it's all I have. Thank you in advance.

[davewerden]

I'm guessing you switched from something like a Yamaha 321 to the Willson. On the 321-style horns the tuning slide is in front and the 4th-valve slide is on the back. It's just the opposite on a compensating horn, so you should be tuning the open horn using the rear slide.

You might find the following discussions helpful:

http://www.dwerden.com/forum/showthr...ting-euphonium

http://www.dwerden.com/forum/entry.php/112-How-to-Tune

[unwiredmedic]

Thank you, Dave! I'll give it a try tonight and post my results. And yes, I used a YEP-321S two decades ago.

[davewerden]

Here is one more link with considerably more detail. It is really about how I test horns, but the tuning tips there might still help.

http://www.dwerden.com/forum/entry.p...ing-Intonation