Custom Adams E3 for Brass Band use

[John Morgan]

DutchEupho: Nice and interesting post. When I got my E3 0.6 SS, I had not ever even picked up or seen an Adams in person, so I had no other Adams to compare it with. I got the goose bump reaction immediately with it. I still do after having it now for about 4 months. It is such a joy to play and hear. I think you will like the horn they are building for you. Guess it is a good thing I don't live near the Adams factory like you do. I would probably have a subscription to Adams horns and have a new one each year...although I can't imagine ever replacing my current E3.

[Simes]

What a fascinating insight. I have often wondered what it would be like to buy something truly bespoke - I have bought expensive euphoniums which have all turned to out to be faulty in one way or another, which is what prevents me from ever buying to "top of the range" off the shelf hooter, but this type of situation? Sounds ideal!

[DutchEupho]

Time for an update:

I’ve been try/testing a E3 Sterling Silver 0.6 (with trigger) for a bit over a week now. (used a SM3 to test)
Things I notice when playing the Adams:

1. I don’t have to work as hard as on the Sterling Virtuoso which results in me having extra room for musical expression. Don’t know if this makes sense to you but because it speaks easier it leaves me with more air to express myself musically because of this it feels like I can concentrate more on the music instead of the playing itself.
2. I did some blind tests with our conductor (a tuba player who’s opinion I really value) and he thought the sound was a different flavor then the Virtuoso, not better or worse just a different flavor. He had no favorite in the beginning but the Adams sound grew on him during our test session. He could feel/hear that I was able to express myself more.
3. The sound of the Adams came across as lighter/brighter than the virtuoso (in our practice room) articulations where a lot better on the Adams. I have a pretty dark sound naturally so the brighter sound is good for me.
4. Could not get the sound to break up even in high range fff playing it just kept on singing/ringing. The Adams gives me more dynamic range mostly on the pp, ppp side of the spectrum.
5. Could mold the sound more then on the Virtuoso. Was able to broaden the sound at will.

One test left for me to do…… Playing the E3 in a bigger room with good acoustics with the brass band to see how it holds up in the band…… Next week I’ll have a chance to do just that!

I’ll keep you informed.

[John Morgan]

The E3 Sterling 0.6 is one, if not "the one", sweet horn. I have the trigger, too, but rarely use it. I think you will absolutely love it. Had mine now for over 6 months, and it just gets better and better for me. Get to do my first serious solo with a band I play in next month. I will be interested in your opinion of the E3 after your brass band session in a bigger room.

[DutchEupho]

Update:

Before I’ve had the chance to test the euphonium, with the brass band in a hall with good acoustics, I had a chat with a well-known British brass band player (who’s name I won’t mention for privacy reasons). He had just finished testing an Adams E3 euphonium (0.6 SS bell) he liked the euphonium overall. He added the heavy valve caps (from the E2 model) and that gave him the depth of sound he wanted, after adding the trigger as well that he felt it was too much. He would need a trigger for his performances and will probably come back to Adams to fix the issue with the weight.
That off course got me curious and I contacted Adams about the Heavy caps. They send a set of those to me the same day to try (talk about service!). My thoughts with the heavy caps:
I added all caps and felt that the sound perhaps got a bit more powerful but lost the sparkle in the sound I liked. I was not able to mold the sound as well as I did before and lost a lot of flexibility. So not my thing those heavy caps. What did work for me was just the heavy cap (bottom) on the 4^th valve, I’ve had a heavy cap on 4^th on my Virtuoso as well and it gave the same effect (just a bit more presence to the sound, a bit more power I’d say).
Now for the test in the brass band…..
More then enough projection to soar across the band (conductor had me back off the ff a few times) only thing is the way the euphonium projects is different and i’d have to get used to that. Now it’s getting difficult to explain but I’ll give it a try. From behind the bell the sound of the Virtuoso seems to fill the room with sound directly from the bell. With the Adams the sound seems to come from a bit further away (further from the bell). I have to listen to the sound of the Euph/bari section in a different way to mix my sound in. (but it works)
To make a long story short: I love playing the E3 (thing it does best for me is giving me more room for musical expression, especially with dynamics and timbre changing)

Would the E3 be suitable for brass band?
Definitely yes!

Does the E3 have a British brass band sound?
I’ve always felt that that sound is mostly in the head of the player and the E3 gives you more than enough room to produce the sound that’s in your head. So yes!

Could the E3 be improved?
There is always room for improvement and Adams is a company that’s open to new things. Only thing I’d change and add to every E3 is venting the valves. (I’ve never had so many popping noises when playing) So yes!

What would my preferred setup be:
E3 Euphonium
0.6 gauge
Sterling Silver bell
Traditional waterkeys
MTS trigger
Heavy bottomcap on 4^th valve
All valves vented
SS and Nickel silver receiver (because I haven’t tried those yet)
Fully silver plated (I still like that look the most)

Now all I need to do is convince the wife that it is worth every penny ;-)

[dsurkin]

Now all I need to do is convince the wife that it is worth every penny ;-)

One of my friends with a large instrument collection had this bit of advice: if you are happy, you will be more pleasant to be around, and your wife will be happy. You will (depending upon your ages) have several decades together (let's say four decades, for this example). A custom Adams, with every possible upgrade and accessory, will cost less than $10,000. Divided by 40 years, that's a mere $250 per year. That's the cost of one night together at a Broadway show (without dinner). Surely, your mutual happiness is worth the cost of one Broadway show.

I haven't tried it yet, but he claims it's worked for him.

[davewerden]

dsurkin: That's very creative!

DutchEupho: Thanks for the very clear feedback on the E3! We love hearing all the various details from other players' perspectives.

[John the Theologian]

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but in the UK have some of the new brands-- Wessex, Rath, JIP, Shires, etc, made any dent into the traditionalism of the Brits?

When I was playing in an American brass band about 25 years ago, Yamaha was the big player here, but, if I recall, Yamaha, still didn't have a huge market share in the UK where Besson still reigned supreme except in the use of Conn trombones.

[John Morgan]

DutchEupho,

Thanks for the great updates. I had the good fortune to remember to ask to have my valves vented when I ordered my Adams E3, which is just like your preferred setup above with the exception of the finish (mine is brushed and the bell is fully engraved), and I don't have the heavy bottom cap for the 4th valve. Were you able to try both the heavy cap and the standard cap? If so, what differences specifically did you find? I have both receivers and have settled on the SS for now. I may change it up later and see the effect after getting totally used to the SS.

I am happy to have my wife tell your wife that it is worth every penny - she is a believer! Hope you get it!!

[DutchEupho]

John,

Wife gave the green light! (love her to bits!)

About the 4th valve heavy cap.....
First of all the euphonium feels more balanced when i hold it (the SS bell makes the euph want to tilt back) The heavy 4th cap balances that out somewhat.
Soundwise, It's a subtle diference but I feel that it gives the sound a bit more presence (or punch, if you will) I've liked this heavy 4th on the Virtuoso for the same reasons.
Perhaps Dave could explain why he uses it on his E1. (he has a heavy 4th bottom cap on there, if i'm not mistaking)

So now it's time to talk to Adams on how to proceed.....
The euphonium is with me in raw brass now so it needs to be polished and plated. (Preferrably in a way that doesn't separate me from the euph for long ;-) )

[John Morgan]

John,

Wife gave the green light! (love her to bits!)

Excellent!! Perhaps you can have Adams vent the valves while they do the finish work. I like that feature a lot, particularly with pulling the 4th valve slide and not having to try to hold down the 4th valve.

You are going to grow to love that horn!! I loved mine immediately, and more so now.

Happy New Year, and let your wife know she is super (as I do to my wife all the time)!

[DutchEupho]

I’ve been playing my 0.6 Sterling Silver E3 for a bit over 2 weeks now. (see pictures)

I’m getting to know the E3 better every day. Love the sound it makes, especially in mp-mf in de middle register.
I’m certainly capable of singing over the Brass band at FF with this horn. Players from within the band comment that my sound is more noticeable and they tell me they prefer it over the Virtuoso (heavy red bell) sound.
I’ve been playing around with some mouthpieces I have, and the best match seems to be the wick 4AL (in my case a 4AL with a DE 104 rim). The 4AL enables me to mold the sound the most (with the receiver turned out 2 full turns).

I’ve never been a player that needs to warm up a lot. But with the Adams I need more time to get the feeling of the horn before I really start playing. I guess that’s just getting used to playing “with” the horn instead of playing through a horn.

[John Morgan]

You are going to really love that new horn!! It takes me a bit to warm up, and I am still getting used to the horn after having it almost 9 months. Congratulations on the new horn. It is a beauty!!