Please... Just tell me what to buy!

[John Morgan]

It is my understanding that Wessex has closed it's facility in Michigan and is in the process of opening a new facility in the Chicago area. Look at the blog postings on the Wessex website.

[Snorlax]

I played a Mack Brass euphonium for a couple of years and found it to be most acceptable, as did people I work/play with.
I've never owned a Wessex, but the number of posts here will testify to their quality. I've tried a couple, but hardly extensively.
I simply wanted to put a word in for the Mack.
Jim

[John the Theologian]

I played a Mack Brass euphonium for a couple of years and found it to be most acceptable, as did people I work/play with.
I've never owned a Wessex, but the number of posts here will testify to their quality. I've tried a couple, but hardly extensively.
I simply wanted to put a word in for the Mack.
Jim

i've never played a Wessex, but I'm very satisfied with my Mack Brass. I played a Yamaha YEP321 lacquer previously and the Mack is superior to me. Mine is silver and maintenance hasn't been a problem.

I agree that the case is big, but it's not too heavy and affords good protection.

BTW, a mouthpiece that I"ve found works well wih the Mack Brss is one of the UMI/CKB/King 5Gs-- all the same mps-- that are tulip shaped like a Wick. It's out of production, but there are often used ones available. The mp has a bigger throat and deeper cup than a comparable Bach or Bach spin-off with a comfortable rim.

[enhite]

lzajmom wrote: "At 5'4", I'm not long and I'm not strong, so having a comfortable reach seems important."

If you need any inspiration from a woman who may be approximately your size (or smaller), check out Misa Mead, an excellent euphonium player. I think that she has posted some advice on how best to use lung capacity, as hers is less than a 6 foot male. (I believe she plays a Besson Prestige.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMc50_xmSSg

[davewerden]

According to Besson, Misa plays a 967 with trigger:

https://www.besson.com/en/artist/misa-mead/

Misa is playing Besson Sovereign 967T in Lacquer.

But I don't know if she chose that over the Prestige because it is easier to hold or play. Some players like its tone better.

[ghmerrill]

I agree that the case is big, but it's not too heavy and affords good protection.

People actually use the cases that come with these things? Astonishing.

I have both a Mack Brass euph case and a Wessex tuba case that my wife forbids me to store in the attic any longer. So they're sitting in my tool shed for lack of a better place. I can't quite bring myself to dump them, but probably should do so. One of my excuses is that I might need them if I ever decide to sell and ship one of the instruments (which, of course, is highly unlikely).

For the Mack Brass euph I have a (low end) Protec case and for the Eb Wessex tuba a (likewise low end) top-loading Gard bag. I really like them both and they're "protective enough" for me since I never do anything with the horns except haul them around in car or truck.

Now the Schiller case that came with the bass trombone I DO use, and it's great. It's the same ("semi-hard" foam, fabric covered) technology as the Mack and Wessex, but for the trombone it really works. And with excellent backpack straps. I went through a period a year ago where I thought I should get a "better case" for it because I use it so much, but after looking around just couldn't convince myself that -- purely in terms of function for my purposes -- I could do better, no matter what the cost. So I'm soldiering on with it, and it's showing no signs of wear.

[jakewillis]

I own a Mack brass Euphonium and a Wessex Dolce. The Wessex is definitely better, but the Mack is still a heck of a horn.

I feel like the Wessex is worth it, but the Mack is a fine horn, too.

[lzajmom]

Based on this comment, I would not put a lot of weight on advice from the music store

SERIOUSLY THOUGH. Let me tell you another story about this chica. I went in a few months ago and had a conversation something like this. I'll paraphrase:

Me: Hi, I'm interested in getting a Yamaha 321S. Do you carry those?
Her: I don't have one in stock, but Jupiter!
Me: Uhh, can you get a Yamaha?
Her: Yes, but we have Jupiters.
Me: I don't want a Jupiter. How much for the Yamaha?
Her: I'll have to look it up. But the Jupiter is only--
Me: MA'AM! I'm not ever going to buy a Jupiter. Would you please look up the price of a Yamaha?
Her: (Laboriously flips through a very small book) The Yamaha is $xxxx, but the Jupiter is only...
Me: Bye.

So this time, when I called and realized I had the same girl, I asked for someone who knows about euphoniums, and she started telling me that most people are happy with the cheap stuff. So I asked if anyone knows about brass instruments in general, and she told me about these pre-packaged cleaning kits.

There IS an older man there who is very knowledgeable and helpful, but apparently one must contend with the gatekeeper before being permitted his assistance.

[John Morgan]

SERIOUSLY THOUGH. Let me tell you another story about this chica. I went in a few months ago and had a conversation something like this. I'll paraphrase:

Me: Hi, I'm interested in getting a Yamaha 321S. Do you carry those?
Her: I don't have one in stock, but Jupiter!
Me: Uhh, can you get a Yamaha?
Her: Yes, but we have Jupiters.
Me: I don't want a Jupiter. How much for the Yamaha?
Her: I'll have to look it up. But the Jupiter is only--
Me: MA'AM! I'm not ever going to buy a Jupiter. Would you please look up the price of a Yamaha?
Her: (Laboriously flips through a very small book) The Yamaha is $xxxx, but the Jupiter is only...
Me: Bye.

So this time, when I called and realized I had the same girl, I asked for someone who knows about euphoniums, and she started telling me that most people are happy with the cheap stuff. So I asked if anyone knows about brass instruments in general, and she told me about these pre-packaged cleaning kits.

There IS an older man there who is very knowledgeable and helpful, but apparently one must contend with the gatekeeper before being permitted his assistance.

Kimberly - I think I really like you!! That is too funny, and unfortunately in many stores, too common. I will have to remember the word "chica" and add this to my vocabulary. I am quite certain it is totally politically incorrect, so I like it more. When you get your new Wessex, please come play in our band!!

[guidocorona]

Me thinks that the sales chica in question done her sales&marketing training under the guidance of iPhone's Siri... Really, with humans as brilliant as that, who needs robotic assistants?! *Grins!*

G.