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Thread: My New Custom Adams Euphonium

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Dumfries, VA (Potomac Shores)
    Posts
    316

    My New Custom Adams Euphonium

    Hello everyone!

    My brand new custom E3 euphonium from Adams arrived this week. I drove up to Baltimore Brass (which I highly recommend doing business with, by the way...ask for Andrew) on Friday to pick it up. The guys at Adams did a PHENOMENAL job through and through. Here's my set up:

    * E3 - .60 gauge
    * sterling silver bell
    * sterling silver lead pipe (I opted for no adjustable gap receiver as I kept mine set to all the way in on my previous E3)
    * yellow/gold/red brass body
    * tuning slide trigger
    * vented valve pistons
    * slightly shortened 4th valve reach
    * Adams version of "Amado" spit valves on main slide, and all slides 1-4
    * heavy valve caps and finger buttons w/ wood inlays (also have lightweight versions w/ wood inlays as well)
    * 4th valve lock mechanism (they are sending this to me soon; photo to follow)
    * entire horn brushed (including interior of bell, all valve caps/buttons, slide crooks, etc...literally everything is brushed finish)

    Initial impressions:

    WOW. Upon opening the case, it is just absolutely beautiful. They really outdid themselves in the assembly. It is absolutely perfect. Upon playing a few notes I could immediately tell the difference I was looking for from my original E3 selected which has all yellow brass. The sound is "deeper", "bigger", offers more color options, yet feels even "zippier" to me than my previous E3. The response is second to none. I was pleasantly surprised with how smooth and fast the valves were right out of the box, and after cleaning and playing for a day at my home, they are already faster than my previous E3, believe it or not. I was also pleasantly surprised that the pitch is actually BETTER than the previous E3. Every single note now slots right in the center. I have to lip very, very little. I decided to go with a trigger on this horn for basically 2 reasons... the high concert D I like to finger 2nd valve because it absolutely sings, but as on any euphonium, is incredibly sharp. With the trigger use, it is literally dead on in tune! I also like having the option for a trigger when using a mute. The trigger is built incredibly well and you can actually customize how far the trigger sticks out from the body of the horn as well as how far you want it to push the main slide out with use. Pretty clever! They're sending me a 4th valve locking mechanism to use if you desire when storing the horn in the Marcus Bonna case that they ship with or a gig bag of your choice. They choose to not solder a lock directly to the horn as they feel it disrupts the vibrations of the horn, which I can totally see. This will be a detachable 4th valve lock to alleviate that issue while still allowing the 4th valve to be depressed for safety when storing the horn in a case/gig bag. Innovative, indeed, and smart!

    I had this horn customized to exactly what I wanted, no compromises, and I literally could not be happier with what Miel and his team have produced for me. I have some initial photos of the horn that can be viewed by visiting my Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/bariphonium. Yes, my name there is "bariphonium". Don't act like you're not impressed...

    If you haven't tried Adams, I can't recommend them highly enough. It always seems that we're forced to make compromises in our equipment too much with euphoniums. There are SO MANY fantastic choices these days, and the Adams Custom Euphonium manages to stand out in a BIG way for me. I haven't been this excited about practicing in years!

    Click HERE for photos
    Brandon Jones
    Principal Euphonium - The United States Air Force Band, Washington, D.C.
    bmjones82@gmail.com

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    West Palm Beach, FL
    Posts
    3,853
    Congratulations Brandon. Thanks for a link to pictures too. Looks really great!
    Rick Floyd
    Miraphone 5050 - Warburton BJ / RF mpc
    YEP-641S (recently sold)
    Doug Elliott - 102 rim; I-cup; I-9 shank


    "Always play with a good tone, never louder than lovely, never softer than supported." - author unknown.
    Symphonic Band of the Palm Beaches
    El Cumbanchero (Raphael Hernandez, arr. Naohiro Iwai)
    Chorale and Shaker Dance
    (John Zdechlik)

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    Summerfield, Florida Sturgis, SD (summers)
    Posts
    1,867
    Hey Brandon,

    Very sharp looking horn! There is just nothing quite like getting a beautiful, custom horn, and Adams really delivers. I love mine like the first day I got it even after over a year of owning it. I love just picking it up and playing it, daily and usually several times daily. Yours is gorgeous. I will be curious about the 4th valve lock. I was a little concerned about that when I got my E3. So far, after a year, no issues. I only use the Marcus Bonna case, no gig bag. And I am the world's most careful guy when it comes to my horn.

    As Spock almost said, "Play long and prosper".
    John Morgan
    The U.S. Army Band (Pershing's Own) 1971-1976
    Adams E3 Custom Series Euphonium, 1956 B&H Imperial Euphonium,
    1973 F. E. Olds & Son Studio Model T-31 Baritone
    Adams TB1 Tenor Trombone, Yamaha YBL-822G Bass Trombone
    Year Round Except Summer:
    Kingdom of the Sun (KOS) Concert Band, Ocala, FL (Euphonium)
    KOS Brass Quintet (Trombone, Euphonium)
    Summer Only:
    Rapid City Municipal Band, Rapid City, SD (Euphonium)
    Rapid City New Horizons Band (Euphonium)

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Dumfries, VA (Potomac Shores)
    Posts
    316
    Totally understand about only using the Bonna case, John. They've seemed to "update" the Bonna cases even. The interior has a "plush" design look to it, new zippers, and new and MUCH improved straps. Bonna cases are about the best thing you can put an instrument into, in my opinion. I love the looks of the Cronkhite cases, but it would only take the one time of hitting it in the wrong spot... I'm trying to keep this horn ding-free for as long as possible! I'll certainly post a photo of the 4th valve lock when it arrives.
    Brandon Jones
    Principal Euphonium - The United States Air Force Band, Washington, D.C.
    bmjones82@gmail.com

  5. #5
    Very very nice! When you get it broken in, send out a link so we can hear it. Maybe a little Danny Boy.

  6. #6
    gorgeous instrument!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Smoketown, Pa
    Posts
    233
    Brandon, thanks for sharing about your new horn. Many years of success with the instrument. Also may I thank you for serving in the Air Force band and may this instrument be of great help in your service through music.
    B&S 3046 Baritone/Euphonium
    Wessex Festivo
    B&S PT37-S
    Schilke ST20 Tenor Trombone
    Jupiter XO Double valve bass trombone

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Dumfries, VA (Potomac Shores)
    Posts
    316
    Thanks so much!

  9. #9
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Valley City, North Dakota, USA
    Posts
    1,314
    Figured I’d revive this thread, because I had a question about the fourth valve locking clamp.

    Do all E3 owners here use it when putting their horns away? I have…but I noticed it was NOT installed when I received the instrument. (So wondering if it is necessary with the included bag. (It made it over from Germany without issue! ))
    Groups
    Valley City Community Band
    Valley City State University Concert Band
    2024 North Dakota Intercollegiate Band (you're never too old!)


    Larry Herzog Jr.

    All things EUPHONIUM! Guilded server

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Farmington Hills, MI
    Posts
    472
    I use it but probably don’t need to.

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