Greetings, I used to lurk here during the brief time (6mo.) when I had a Shin Bao rotary valve Euphonium. My basement apartment flooded in a storm about 10 years ago and the landlord panicked and put all my worldly possessions in a dumpster. Water under the bridge. Literally. Anyway I have not played a euph in all this time. I have a French Horn and get nice sounds out of it but it just feels wrong on my face. Everytime I put it to my lips it has to be in a different place to get a nice tone. Even in one short piece I am constantly resetting my embouchure. It might be clear from this that I have never had any brass instrument instruction. Actually I have never had any formal instruction on a musical instrument.
Anyway, I have decided to find another Euphonium. I remember that the Schiller Compensating Euphoniums would get consistently positive reviews from posters here. My question is: how does the rest of the Schiller Euphonium line compare to the compensating instruments? Specifically the two rotary valve Euphoniums that Schiller sells? I have had an eye on the American Heritage 4 rotary valve Bb/C instrument for years and who can quibble with the price. More recently I have expanded my budget to include the Schiller Elite four rotary valve Euphonium for a little more than twice the price of the American Heritage. Are these decent instruments for a hobby player who does plan to play in public?
Last night I saw three different Conn four valve Euphoniums from two different sellers. One seller is offering both the four valve short stroke and the regular with a choice of recording or upright bell. The other seller is offering a short stroke four valve with recording bell only. My question: are these true Euphoniums? Are they a full size Euphonium bore? What size mouthpiece shank would they need. The Schillers are large bore instruments and use a large size mouthpiece shank but I cannot find any data on the Conns.
Bottom line: the Conns are all circa 1970 and cost exactly what a new Schiller Elite retails for (~$1250). I like the idea of rotary valves because thats what Horns have and I have all the right oils to do regular maintenance. But other than that I don't know. Thoughts anyone?