Hi all,
Haven't been on the forums in a few years, but am happy to see they are still running strong. I still think this is the go-to place for all things euphonium.
I wanted to ask you guys if you could tell me anything about a euphonium my parents helped me buy off of ebay for Christmas. We paid about 2k for a Boosey and Hawkes 4-valve, compensating, medium-shank euphonium. I'm a freshman in college and hope to play and take care of this horn for a very long time. Unfortunately there was a bit of false advertising, as it was portrayed as a large shank horn, but everything else was accurate. The listing didn't give much information other than the brand, the horn's condition, and general features.
Upon getting the horn, I found the serial number (160268) and did a quick search on it. It appears that the horn was made between 1943 and 1944. Unfortunately, I don't know anything else about it. On the bell above the leadpipe, more on the side of it than the front, there is insignia of a bird carrying a bugle. Under that, it says,
Boosey & Hawkes Ltd
Makers
295 Regent St
London W.l. (?)
160268
The valves are also numbered (from 1st to 4th) 58, 59, 60, and 23. The second valve also has the number 123919 under the 59. I'm not sure what this means. I doubted the serial number would be on the valve casing rather than the bell, but I don't know.
I also noticed that the main tuning slide seems really long; it extends all the way down to where the instrument would touch my lap. The tuning slide also is the only part of the instrument that is a color other than silver; the straight tubing on the back side of it is gold. I was able to fit the tip of my large shank mouthpiece in (very carefully of course) far enough to play the horn and see how it sounded. I'm really happy with the response and sound, but I was much flatter than I usually am. I'm hoping this is due to the fact that I was using a mouthpiece that didn't fit and not an issue with the horn, but then again, I'm not sure.
I'll attach some pictures so you guys can see what I mean. My impression is that it's an Imperial, but I don't know a) if that is correct or b) what kind of horn this would be (beginner, intermediate, professional).
If any of you have any information to offer or any advice on how I should keep this horn playing well, please let me know. The valves seem to be working pretty well, especially considering the age of the horn, but if there's anything I can do to improve them (specific oils, grease, replacement parts, etc.) then I definitely would like to do so. All of the tuning slides are working nicely as well.
(I also forgot to mention that I replaced the valve caps with some extra Yamaha 321 caps I had. Hopefully this didn't confuse anybody)
Thanks for reading this far and I appreciate any knowledge/advice anyone has to offer!
Preston