WTB: Marzan/Willson 2975 or other 4-Front Valve Compensating Euphonium

[1Cor13:4]

I guess I'll throw this out here. I am interested in finding a 4 front-valve compensating euphonium, but not a Wessex Festivo.

I believe that's limited to:
Willson/Marzan 2975 or the Canadian Brass version of this
Besson "50 Medals of Honor" Detachable Front Bell made in the 1950s (yes, I missed buying that one that was posted a week ago)

If you have one for sale, please send me a PM, thanks.

[Shinn]

Besson just listed!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/265166910013

[1Cor13:4]

I know...I can't find myself to pay that much.

You see, I saw this for $1200 and it didn't get a bid and the person relisted for $1100.

Then, I was actually was the only other bidder on this when it was re-listed at $1100. Being at work, I couldn't monitor it and lost to Quinn who got it for $1200. I should have put a higher max bid, but oh well.

Since I lost the chance to basically get this for $1200 when it was first listed...I can't find myself paying more for it, it just feels wrong! =)

Good for Quinn though, I'm sure he'll make a profit on this, it's a nice horn.

[Shinn]

The original listing has a ‘Make Offer’ option... now also a second listing with a starting bid of $2,299 auction.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/265167236849

Also listed on Reverb with a ‘Make Offer’ option-
https://reverb.com/item/40734309-bes...sn-143871-rare

[ann reid]

Has anyone actually played one of these?

I think this is the horn the Wessex Festivo prototype was developed from. If it’s actually like the Festivo, it wouldn’t work for me anyway.

Anybody?

[1Cor13:4]

This is the model that Wessex started with for the Festivo.

What about the Festivo did you not like?

I heard the spacing or ergonomics for this one makes it difficult for small hands.

[ann reid]

This is the model that Wessex started with for the Festivo.

What about the Festivo did you not like?

I heard the spacing or ergonomics for this one makes it difficult for small hands.

It (the Festivo) has a beautiful sound, looks amazing, and the intonation is great. For ME, with my bad shoulders, arms, and tenosynovitis, I was never able to figure out a way to hold it that would be comfortable for me. I tried everything I could think of, and nothing really allowed me to relax properly while holding it.

The Wessex people tried to help (it was purchased second hand) but what with Covid, I was never able to get it to a repairman who was able to take care of what I would have needed to have done. Oddly enough, my Conn is absolutely a perfect fit for me in every way.

It’s kind of surprising to me that the men who played the Connstellations were obviously typical sized men, and yet I haven’t seen or read any complaints about the Connstellations being “too small”. The mythical bigger bore, large shank receiver Connstellation continues to be my dream.

I’m glad you posted the “small hands” comment, because although I have a medium sized woman’s hand, the Festivo always felt too big both in my right hand and overall. I’d played the other Wessex Euphonium previous to buying the Festivo, and it didn’t have the “too big” feel of the Festivo.

Oh well, you and I are still waiting for the “right” horn but it’s out there somewhere. Thank you for your post!

[guidocorona]

Hello 1Cor13, I have owned and enjoyed a Wessex Festivo for a couple of years. My hands are rather narrow, and my right pinky is not the most muscular in the world. Yet, I found the arched arrangement of Festivo's piston to be quite ergonomic and to easily fit the moderate reach of my right hand fingertips.

Yet I admit that, while I can operate the 4th valve with the right hand pinky if I really want to, I much prefer to dedicate to its operation the more muscular and longer index or middle finger of my left hand.... With these, I control the 4th valve with total comfort.

As for valves 1, 2, and 3, unless a player had very unique hands, their position, ergonomic arrangement, and inter-valve distance are likely to be found utterly graceful.

Bottomline for me is that I discovered absolutely no issue with Festivo's ergonomics, and I found its design absolutely natural and comfortable from day one.... Which by the way, was the very first time I held a low brass horn in my hands, let alone a euphonium.

Regards, Guido

[1Cor13:4]

Thank you, Guido.

I'm personally not interested in a Festivo for other reasons not related to ergonomics. I appreciate your feedback though!

[ann reid]

guidocorona, Could you hazard a guess as to whether this Besson can be held parallel to the body?

[guidocorona]

Hi Ann, unfortunately I can only speak of the Wessex Festivo, as I have not tried the original Besson, and being blind, I can't tell from photos how close its critical design is to my Festivo.

Talking about festivo, for my own max coimfort, I keep it on my right thigh, slightly turned clockwise by some 15 degrees, and with the bell inclined to the left by another 15 degrees.... This last one is to optimize the height of the mouthpiece. I am a smidgeon below 5'10" tall, thus the inclination.

On the other hand, I have just tried right now to straighten the horn completely upright and hold parallel to my trunk, without any clockwise rotation or left-tilting of the bell, and it is completely possible for me to play the eupho this way with only minor neck stretching because of the lack of left-tilt.

Hope this helps... I'd be happy to chat over phone if you like more info.

Saluti, Guido

[1Cor13:4]

Quinn had contacted me to offer it at $2500 before he listed it. I'll ask them if it's playable parallel.

[ann reid]

Quinn had contacted me to offer it at $2500 before he listed it. I'll ask them if it's playable parallel.

Much appreciated!

[1Cor13:4]

This is what they replied when I asked if you can play this parallel to your body:

"Here is what my brass tech had to say about your question. For reference she is about 5'4".

"I guess that would depend on the size of the user. For me, sort of, but the pistons have a really wide grip for my small hands. The bell was positioned about at my shoulder""

[ann reid]

Thank you both, guidocorona and 1cor13:4 - I guess I have to give Up my dream of a front valve Besson.