Hey everyone!
I've been reading a lot of threads concerning euphonium choices, and I just wanted an update of sorts to see how they are now. I'm currently a high school student who plays euphonium and am looking to get one of my own.
My budget isn't quite strict but going over $4000 AUD (~$3000 USD) is really quite pushing it. Euphos are quite expensive so it doesn't really help.
I'm looking for 4-valve (3+1) compensating euphos at a somewhat reasonable price that will last me a long while. At this point, I'm not entirely sure whether I want to continue pursuing music seriously, but I'd rather a good horn that will last me a long time, so that I won't have to spend lots and lots on many different models.
The models I'm looking at at the moment are:
~$2900 AUD/$2100 USD - Wessex Dolce
~$3100 AUD/$2250 AUD - John Packer JP274s (via dfmusic)
~$3900 AUD/$2770 USD - Yamaha YEP-621S (via Tarotrade) ( https://www.tarotrade.com/brass/euph...phonium-detail )
~$5800 AUD/$4100 USD - Yamaha YEP-642S (via Tarotrade) ( https://www.tarotrade.com/brass/euph...phonium-detail )
(Has anyone had any experience with Tarotrade by the way? Their prices are almost "too good to be true". A lot of Australian dealers of Yamaha sell the same models for so much more. The 642 usually goes for $9000 AUD–$15000 AUD. They offer a 1 year warranty as well).
Since I'm still a high school student, and my skill level isn't particularly that impressive, that'll of course influence my choices. It's difficult to find an intermediate/advanced model here in Australia, or one that ships here (I used to have Mack Brass on my list, but I've since learned that they no longer ship internationally), and so I don't want to spend a lot on getting a top of line model since I wouldn't be able to fully utilise it.
I have a friend who has a JP and is quite happy with it, and recommends it over the Dolce, but I've read lots of threads of people who really do love the Dolce and its sound. I do like a balance between a dark and warm sound since in a year or two, I'll be having a solo performance to be assessed.
The 3 main factors of this are:
- Skill Level (I'm not the best, and so this will really quite influence how much I'm willing to spend)
- Price
- Durability
But if anyone does have any of the models or had any experiences with them, what do you like about them? And what are some things that you dislike that you think I should be taking into account (ie the action of the valves aren't satisfactory, etc)? And if you have any other suggestions, do let me know!
Sorry if I've repeated myself a few times.
Many thanks!