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Long post alert:
This past Saturday I received my new Geneva Oldroyd Cardinal euphonium, and I wanted to post a few first impressions, since I know a lot of people (myself included, obviously) have been curious about the Geneva brand in general.
Note: All my impressions are in comparison to the Willson 2900 I've played on since college.
First off, it's a stunning horn to look at. The photos don't do it justice. From what I learned you can get a variety of options on these horns. This one is silver plated with red brass slides and black bottom valve caps, a tuning slide kicker, and there's extensive engraving along the bell (which I know won't be everyone's cup of tea. The other Cardinal I looked at didn't have it).
Physically, it's a lot beefier than my Willson - holding it reminds me more of a Besson Prestige. The third valve tubing sits a little farther away from the horn, so I have to spread my hand a little more, and the whole horn feels "wider" than my Willson if that makes sense. Not necessarily a good or bad thing, just different. Someone with smaller arms/hands than me would probably find it uncomfortable. And the position of the main slide water key is something I'll have to get used to. My horn also has a lexan/plexiglass shirt guard, which has a really durable/non-chintzy feel.
Sound: Huge. Open. The horn sings. I took the risk of playing an Indianapolis Brass Choir concert on this horn the day after receiving it, and it filled the space with ease. I'm still getting used to how freely it blows and compared to my Willson, so my guess is the more I play it the more I'll love it.
Response and note slotting is a breeze. I found myself almost overshooting lip slurs and high notes just because I'm so used to having to exert more effort than this horn obviously requires.
Valves are nice and heavy with easy action and comfortable, concave finger buttons. The fourth valve has a heavy bottom cap.
I'm still exploring mouthpiece options. For my Willson, the Giddings Danny Helseth solo model was a perfect fit for me, so that's what I'm currently using, but who knows?
I'll post more impressions on the horn (like intonation) as we grow more acquainted (I haven't even had it a week yet), but just based on the short time I've spent with it, I don't think I'll ever be needing another euphonium. I can also post more detail photos if anyone wants to see something specific on the horn, as well as answer any questions anyone might have!
A NOTE ABOUT OBTAINING THESE HORNS IN THE STATES (since that's probably a big thing people are wondering about!) - Joe Johnson of the Salvation Army in Altanta, GA is apparently the sole(?) US Geneva retailer. He was extremely nice and easy to do business with. He doesn't show at conferences because he runs a shop that sells other brands as well, and he doesn't feel right "competing" for sales with his own suppliers at a conference. I can certainly supply his email for anyone interested.
-Sean
This past Saturday I received my new Geneva Oldroyd Cardinal euphonium, and I wanted to post a few first impressions, since I know a lot of people (myself included, obviously) have been curious about the Geneva brand in general.
Note: All my impressions are in comparison to the Willson 2900 I've played on since college.
First off, it's a stunning horn to look at. The photos don't do it justice. From what I learned you can get a variety of options on these horns. This one is silver plated with red brass slides and black bottom valve caps, a tuning slide kicker, and there's extensive engraving along the bell (which I know won't be everyone's cup of tea. The other Cardinal I looked at didn't have it).
Physically, it's a lot beefier than my Willson - holding it reminds me more of a Besson Prestige. The third valve tubing sits a little farther away from the horn, so I have to spread my hand a little more, and the whole horn feels "wider" than my Willson if that makes sense. Not necessarily a good or bad thing, just different. Someone with smaller arms/hands than me would probably find it uncomfortable. And the position of the main slide water key is something I'll have to get used to. My horn also has a lexan/plexiglass shirt guard, which has a really durable/non-chintzy feel.
Sound: Huge. Open. The horn sings. I took the risk of playing an Indianapolis Brass Choir concert on this horn the day after receiving it, and it filled the space with ease. I'm still getting used to how freely it blows and compared to my Willson, so my guess is the more I play it the more I'll love it.
Response and note slotting is a breeze. I found myself almost overshooting lip slurs and high notes just because I'm so used to having to exert more effort than this horn obviously requires.
Valves are nice and heavy with easy action and comfortable, concave finger buttons. The fourth valve has a heavy bottom cap.
I'm still exploring mouthpiece options. For my Willson, the Giddings Danny Helseth solo model was a perfect fit for me, so that's what I'm currently using, but who knows?
I'll post more impressions on the horn (like intonation) as we grow more acquainted (I haven't even had it a week yet), but just based on the short time I've spent with it, I don't think I'll ever be needing another euphonium. I can also post more detail photos if anyone wants to see something specific on the horn, as well as answer any questions anyone might have!
A NOTE ABOUT OBTAINING THESE HORNS IN THE STATES (since that's probably a big thing people are wondering about!) - Joe Johnson of the Salvation Army in Altanta, GA is apparently the sole(?) US Geneva retailer. He was extremely nice and easy to do business with. He doesn't show at conferences because he runs a shop that sells other brands as well, and he doesn't feel right "competing" for sales with his own suppliers at a conference. I can certainly supply his email for anyone interested.
-Sean
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