Originally Posted by
John Morgan
Simon,
So glad you had the chance to play on a bunch of Adams euphoniums. They are, in my humble opinion, the finest euphoniums being made. Have to admit I have not tried any other/newer euphonium brands/models since 2019.
I am also glad the E2 seems to work so well for you. I played one of those at the last two ITEC conventions I have been to (2016 and 2019) and was impressed. I did this "after" I already had my E3 custom made. I bought the E3 without ever playing any Adams euphonium at all (ordered it in 2015 and got it in spring 2016). My purchase was based almost entirely on the descriptions and experience of a select few euphonium players (but mostly Dave Werden - who interested me in the Adams brand, and Matt Van Emmerik - who interested me in the E3 and bell engraving).
Something I found with the E3, and I think Dave Werden may have said something similar, was that you sort of had to learn some of the aspects of the Adams, let it work for you to get the most out of it. And same with the sterling silver bell. I found that true.
I loved the horn right out of the box, but I also "grew" into this horn. When my band leader first heard it, he was impressed with the horn. He had been used to hearing me play a Miraphone M5050, which was a great horn. So, he wasn't blown away right off the bat, but he thought it was very nice, and somewhat different from the Miraphone. Over time, he would occasionally tell me how much he liked the horn, and eventually that he really, really liked the sound of the E3. I think in part that is because I grew into this horn and learned how to get the most out of it.
So I think it is quite possible that experienced euphonium players can try Adams models (or perhaps other brands as well), and based on their own styles and habits, can get an early opinion of a horn that if tried again or over time, might possibly change.
I think from reading your post that you felt you could try out the horns in fairly short order and make an opinion/decision and that may surely be entirely true. But I would suggest that if you are not in a real hurry to get a new horn, and since you seem to live relatively close to a place where you can try various Adams models, to give all of the Adams models one or more sessions to confirm your choice. And perhaps put the AGR out 2-3 full turns on each horn. I would love having a music dealer close to me so that I could go and try everything out!! Well, maybe not, actually, because I would end up with a dozen horns!!
Good luck in your pursuits, Simon!
John