Willson 2950 vs 2900

[Daniel-J]

Thanks for the timely and helpful response!
*update for the posterity of people who may have the same question in the future.

I ended up getting the 2900. As a person who had tended towards larger equipment for years, this surprised me. I was lucky enough to get to play both horns in rehearsals with Marine Band San Diego and with colleagues in the band and the 2900 is designed exceptionally well for wind band playing. I ran the opening to Holst 1 with a tuba player and, while they both played well, the 2950 sounded like it was fighting for sonic space with the tuba and the 2900 fit right in with the sound making a richer sound with a nice shimmer on top, this took both of us by surprise as we both thought the larger horn would blend better. In fact the compact sound really payed off during rehearsal. I felt like I could fit in better with whatever section I wanted, add depth to the trombone, warmth to the clarinets, darken the horns up a little, basically just be the jack of all trades that wind band euphs need to be a little easier. I feel as if i also need to remark that the high register consistency is a bonus. With some horns I feel like I have to do tricky things with my air in the higher registers and as if there's unnecessary (almost dead) weight. With the 2900, faster and higher pressure air works perfectly and there's no fight, nothing tricky at all.

I'm sure that a fair bit of my decision also has to do with listening to the Mark Jenkins CD nonstop for months, with a large percentage of my listening being 2900 players that has steered my sound concept considerably. Both horns were lovely, and were I in a different spot in my career where I could make use of the extra depth, width, and sonic colors I could see myself getting the larger Willson, or a larger horn in general. Yet, for where I'm at now the 2900 is a solid choice and there is no shortage of exceptional players in exceptional bands playing them.

Alex S.

This is an amazing experience. I really came up with what's better. You have fully answered it.

I’m doing a tube recently, I wanted to ask you the difference in the mouthpiece plays a big role? And what can you advise? I used to play clarinet using D’Addario, it’s hard for me to play another instrument, everything will probably come with experience, but maybe there are simpler versions of mouthpieces for me?

[AlexS]

Sorry for the late response(November is a very busy time in every Marine musician’s life). I would say that a mouthpiece choice could be considered more important than instrument choice. Just imagine a dent on the bell vs an indented lead pipe, or mouthpiece shank: the smaller the tube and the closer it is to the player, the larger the impact on sound, tuning, and response will be.

As for mouthpiece suggestions, try something common that many people are successful on. For euphonium, a bach 4/5 g or schilke 51d (faxx makes cheaper versions of these as well) or Dennis Wick size 4. See if you can test out a couple at a school or music store and see what suits you. If you want tuba mouthpiece suggestions, there’s a different thread on the forum that’ll be of more help than I can be.

Good luck and happy doubling,
Alex S.