What euphonium would you buy if money were no object?

[dsurkin]

Unless I have my calculations wrong, the Inderbiden is even more expensive than the Adams, right?

Per their website, 13,300 Swiss francs, and the CHF is about on parity with USD these days.

I just checked the conversion: $13,434. And it doesn't even have any water valves!

[ChristianeSparkle]

At that price, I fully expect the Inderbiden to be fully self-tuning with the ability to bend the pitch a full 360 degrees and allow me to play like Mr. Werden and Mr. Mead.

[tbonesullivan]

Probably also the Yamaha YEP-642TSII Neo with Trigger. I've got a few Yamaha horns, and they always are well made and dependable.

[Kit15]

I'm not sure. I'd want to go somewhere where I could spend a number of hours over several days playing all the best horns before I made a decision.

I'll tell y'all one thing for dang sure -- it would have a trigger!

I thought along the same lines. If money wasn’t an issue then I should be able to travel as well. I guess if I absolutely HAD to make a blind choice, I’d probably give in to sentiment like an idiot and also go for the Yamaha 642 II Neo. My first euph was a Yam, my flute is a Yam, heck even the baby grand piano my mom has owned since before I was born is a Yam. The Yamaha name just has this familiar, nostalgic allure.

[msharp7]

Ah, the "big foot" of euphoniums ... I've never ever seen one, but some people think it exists. (Actually, I'm pretty sure this horn does actually exist!)

Since the name has been raised, has ANYONE on the forum had a chance to blow on an Inderbiden? Unless I'm forgetting something, I don't recall ever hearing a first-hand report.

I tried to buy one back in 2012, but ultimately the seller decided he wanted to keep it. Here's what he had to say about it:

I bought the horn in 2007/2008 I think. I have used alot in the start but in my job as the one euphonium player in 40 persons military band, my old Wilson and Yamaha 642NEO seems to work better. Blends better with the tubas and trombones [...] The horn is very flexible and a dream to play. Somewhat light in response but sings rich, deep and warm.

[Simes]

If money were no object, it would a toss up between refurbishing the hooter I’ve got now, or specifying an Adams. I don’t really know the options, but I’d want no water keys, no trigger, no fourth valve retaining clip, no lyre box, and the lead pipe soldered to bell (preferably a Boosey style “S” leadpipe).

[daruby]

If you had access to an inordinate sum of money which euphonium would you be buying? I'd say a custom Adams E2 or possibly a Meinl Weston Phoenix. As well I've always wanted to try out a Besson Prestige baritone horn.

Money has not been an object for me in the 5 euphoniums I have owned over the last 39 years. These include a 1980 Besson Sovereign 967, 2007 Besson Prestige 2051, a 2009 Sterling Virtuoso customized to my spec, a 2001 Besson Sovereign 967 modified to Prestige spec (w/o trigger), and a 2017 Adams E3 prototype with short action valves and .70 yellow brass bell.

My keepers are my 2009 Sterling and my 2017 Adams. I love my Sterling for its rich sound, quality, and feature set that suits me perfectly. It has a 300mm heavy red brass bell, trigger, gold trim, and Besson-style belly pan (and my name engraved on it). The Adams was a prototype of the short action top sprung valves, but in all other respects is a standard E3, no trigger. It is physically light, easy to play, very responsive, and ergonomically suits my physical infirmities as I grow older.

At this point, having played (not owned) so many horns over the last 60 years, I have no interest in anything other than my two keepers.

Doug

[dsurkin]

Money has not been an object for me in the 5 euphoniums I have owned over the last 39 years. [snip]
The Adams was a prototype of the short action top sprung valves, but in all other respects is a standard E3, no trigger. [snip]

The only instrument for me where money was no object was my 1902 Steinway Model A, and as a matter of fact I got a great deal on it - even after the 7-month long refurbishing project, it wound up costing one-fourth of a new instrument.

But that's a digression from my real question: Doug, since my arthritis keeps progressing, I wonder about those short-action valves. Do they make a difference in the sound of your Adams E3 compared to an Adams E3 with the regular valve set?

[daruby]

Doug, since my arthritis keeps progressing, I wonder about those short-action valves. Do they make a difference in the sound of your Adams E3 compared to an Adams E3 with the regular valve set?

I really do not know. The various other E3's I auditioned when I tried my horn were either .55 or .60 brass bells (no sterling silver) while mine is a .70 brass bell and had a richer sound IMHO. which I preferred to the other two. When Miel Adams explained the prototype valves, the easy action and light weight closed the deal (I had modified a 2001 Sovereign to near Prestige spec because it was physically lighter than my Sterling, did not have a trigger, and had lighter valve action). I can say that as a prototype, my horn needed some tweaking and experimenting to get the pitch correct. I love playing both of these horns and do not feel that the differences are that great.

Doug

[joshealejo]

phoenix and the prestige baritone both have... issues. The prestige baritone is the best available choice if you really want four valves, but it's got some serious intonation quirks for sure.

Do you mean the Meinl Weston 751 Phoenix? I thought not much people liked that one. I have been always curious about that model.

[JakeGuilbo]

Custom E3 - but I'd fly to the Netherlands and visit the factory to play on it upon delivery and make sure everything works like I want it physically and cosmetically before taking delivery.

[davewerden]

T...since my arthritis keeps progressing, I wonder about those short-action valves. Do they make a difference in the sound of your Adams E3 compared to an Adams E3 with the regular valve set?

My impression was that the prototype valves did not affect the tone noticeably. The only difference I picked up was that the response did not feel quite as "clear" as with the standard valves. However, it was still excellent - I don't think you would notice any negatives in the response if you are switching from a different brand. And the shorter valve travel was really nice!

[dsurkin]

Custom E3 - but I'd fly to the Netherlands and visit the factory to play on it upon delivery and make sure everything works like I want it physically and cosmetically before taking delivery.

And then buy yourself two first-class plane tickets for the return - one for you and one for the horn.

[franz]

I'm happy with my Prestige, but soon (next year when I retire) I'm going to buy an Adams E3 as a lighter alternative to Besson. I had the opportunity to try one recently, E3 0,6 and I liked it. Hearing the opinions of the various owners of Adams in this forum I got a fairly precise idea of the model I will order: E3 silver plated thickness 0,7 yellow brass, no trigger, no AGR, water keys only on the main slide, vented valves, 4Th valve heavy bottom cup. Then I will have the finger buttons, the cups and the slides plated in ruthenium 65.

[Euphism]

A hirsbrunner that was custom and handmade back in the 1980s/ 1990s.