Adams Red Brass vs. Sterling Silver bell.

[jkircoff]

Jim, do you have a preference for one or the other bell material?

In my case there is a learning curve with the sterling silver bell, and for solo work I need to work on methods to utilize the material to take advantage of its qualities. I've been maining my red brass bell Sterling euphnonium for years, and I know how to make it "sing" the way I want to intuitively. The sterlng silver bell Adams is a more recent pickup, and I need to spend more time learning its intricacies.

Which bell material I'd prefer likely depends on environment. For brass band, I thnk the red brass bell Sterling is a better choice at the moment, wind ensembles it's a wash, and for solo work it depends on the piece and the sound I'm looking for.

[Sara Hood]

Spkissane - Aha! I thought that it looked like Wessex's "baby euphonium." Interesting looking. I found the youtube sound clips to hear what it sounded like.

In any case, best of luck with the new Adams too. And of course we want pictures/recordings, when you can (smile).
- Sara

[Arnbone Euph]

I agree placing any euphonium on its bell is not a good practice and yet I see videos of Matt Tropman doing it all the time. And I believe that's with a sterling silver bell E1. Yikes. My seat mate at our tree lighting concert last night had his tuba in his lap, a slight slip allowing it to bang an adjacent chair in our very tight seating, and he got a goose-egg sized dent in his beloved tuba. One can never be too careful.