The two testing opportunities I had the pleasure to conduct have left me with very positive experiences:
*I enjoyed playing two very different styles of euphonium.
*We should all be enthusiastic about the explosion of instruments available to us as performers at ANY level.
*I was excited to work with TWO manufacturers--ACB and WESSEX--who are consumer-oriented and vitally involved in serving the needs of their customers by LISTENING TO THEM and trying to meet their wants & needs.
*Trent and Jonathan are entrepreneurs who deserve our support...if not by buying from, then by recommending friends, colleagues, and students to consider them. I have suggested both manufacturers to colleagues and students.
*The fact that these and other manufacturers offer OPTIONS within models is superb. If we can buy Adams euphs at .50, .60, .80, etc. it is a tremendous opportunity to fit buyers with diverse wants & needs. If we can get a yellow-brass, gold-brass, or silver bell, that is a tremendous opportunity to fit buyers with diverse wants & needs...so if a company offers two tuning slides, that is also a tremendous opportunity to fit buyers with diverse wants & needs. The tuning slide issue is quite common these days. My purchase of a Miraphone 5050 a few years ago was delayed until Miraphone sent me a shorter tuning slide out of their stock (I guess that meant other people also wanted one) and then the sale was completed. I have had to have the MTS shortened on EVERY horn I have owned except two.
*Not only are there more people making more horns, but they are also offering more options on the horns. That has to reduce economy of scale in manufacturing, but allows every player to get an instrument that suits their needs. I would not look at inclusion of a second MTS as a flaw; I would rather applaud any manufacturer who realizes that players are very diverse in this aspect of playing.
*The recent increase in quality of the "cheaper horns" has been a boon for musicians in community bands and student musicians. It allows them to own a quality instrument without breaking their bank. More people playing euphonium is good, isn't it?
*Testing the two horns has allowed me to get to know the other three guys a bit better--I have learned from all of them and enjoy their wisdom & humor.
I have exceeded my daily quota for positivism. You do not HAVE TO get off my lawn, but I would appreciate it if you did ;-)
Jim