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Thread: Question to the long-time Wessex owners

  1. Quote Originally Posted by ann reid View Post
    In my case the euphonium has been seen by three highly reputable and well thought of repair techs, two with years of experience and one younger and very well trained.

    Their attempts cost me over $700 dollars, because I liked the horn and wanted to give it a “fair” shot.

    Having had the first valve “fixed” three times, I do have a sense of what may be happening that makes it difficult to fix it, and I think I really have been fair about doing all I could do to have a playable dependable instrument. If I’m right about what I “think” may be happening, it would possibly be impossible to permanently repair it.

    I can’t put any more money into it, and if I donated it, I’d have to explain to a recipient about its history.

    Also a “reformed” woodwind specialist, I have no issues with troubleshooting and fixing, but I figure if the experts haven’t been able to fix it, I’m not going to be able to either.

    I think it’s wonderful that so many people have excellent luck with entry level horns by the way.

    That's just terrible.
    Life is too short.

  2. #32
    I have a Wyvern CC tuba for which the quality has generally been excellent. It did have an issue where it looked like the bracing on the main tuning slide had been mangled by a pair of pliers before installation and before plating, but otherwise it's pretty flawless. I also had an issue where the valve cap holes were too small for the stems and it caused pressure to build up in the pistons and create a whistling noise, but they explained it's because they upgraded the valve stems and initially didn't increase the size of the holes to match -- and they sent me a replacement set of caps. Unfortunately these caps didn't fit well (threads weren't cut well) and I ended up having to pay for the original caps to be modified and replated instead.

    I also have a Symphonic Eb tuba (like the champion, but without carriage loops) which I haven't noticed any quality issues for.

    But I bought their Eb quinticlave (alto ophicleide) which is a basketcase. Many bad solder joints which leak, pretty much every tonehole needs to be leveled, many of the keys need some regulation, and on and on.
    --
    Barry

  3. Owned 2 Sinfonico euphoniums over the course of a few months…

    First one the Valves and the actual tone pleasant and worked as expected…
    However the copper lacquer plating wore off the first valve within a few weeks… that I could live with.
    The bell developed an unexplainable crease. It had never been stood on its bell or dropped etc.
    My only theory is that the euphonium bounced when in its provided case when carried on my back.

    I had a Sterling that I carried the same way years ago and never had issues but I also dont remember it rattling when I walked… so combination of poor case and thin materials for the euphonium must have been a bad combo.

    Wessex eventually sent a second one… and it arrived dented… sent straight back.

    Wessex negotiated a reduced refund, so I ultimately lost money and certainly lost faith in a brand that I was initially very excited about, as the single sheet brass and all the rest of the concept behind it etc did make for an extremely easy to blow instrument.

    I see so many up for sale on market place etc. that I can only assume a lot of people also have issues with longevity or long term purchasing satisfaction…

  4. #34
    Join Date
    Nov 2019
    Location
    Intermountain West in USA
    Posts
    141
    Based on the comments posted so far I am kind of glad I payed about half as much for my Jinbao clone of a Yamaha compensating euphonium (from another vendor) compared to buying from one of the better-known clone vendors.

    I have had a few very minor issues with my horn, but they were not hard to deal with at home. For example, initially there was a buzz in the instrument because the lead pipe gently kissed the bell of the instrument. A piece of paper inserted into that point fixed the problem, and the fix has held for about three years. If the problem develops again, well another piece of paper fished out of the wasted basket for free will fix with it.

    There were a few other small issues, but they were not all that bad, nothing like the problems reported in this thread. For example, I had to fix a buzz in the screw for the whatchamacallit thingamajig (the device that could theoretically hold a music holder), but using a dab of nail polish on the threads eliminated the buzz. I also had a buzz in another location, but a bit of plastic tape applied in the right spot fixed that problem. I did upgrade the water key corks because one of them seemed to be leaking air slightly.

    The worst issue from a functional perspective is that the valve cap on the second valve tends to want to cross thread, but that just forces me to be very careful when putting it back on after oiling the valves, and I can live with that.

    The lacquer is not holding up very well in places that receive a lot wear. Part of that is probably the quality of the lacquer, and part of it is probably because I play the instrument a lot. The way I see it, worn lacquer is just a mark of honor indicating that the instrument is being played rather than just sitting in its case.

    I am assuming that the elite brands have fewer quality issues, but I think that even those brands have an occasional problem.
    Last edited by massmanute; 01-07-2023 at 11:51 PM.

  5. #35
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Valley City, North Dakota, USA
    Posts
    1,308
    My 11+ yo Schiller Elite is still in great shape. I just recently passed the Monzani horn on to someone else…that horn didn’t have a single issue and sounded great!
    Groups
    Valley City Community Band
    Valley City State University Concert Band
    2024 North Dakota Intercollegiate Band (you're never too old!)


    Larry Herzog Jr.

    All things EUPHONIUM! Guilded server

  6. Of course the bigger brands have issues too…
    Difference is:

    Issues might be more like 1 in a thousand instead of 1 in 50

    Repair guys have experience and access to parts and spares etc. to not have access to simple things like the correct valve guides long term reduces lifespan of an instrument.

    And the biggest issue with the cheaper clones seems to be longevity of the finish.

    It’s a real shame, but beyond use for students and absolute beginners I personally don’t see anyone staying happy long term unless they get lucky with a good one.

    I completely have changed my own stance on the issue, but better with an old tried and tested model…

  7. #37
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Valley City, North Dakota, USA
    Posts
    1,308
    I’m finding out that John Packer is “different”. They aren’t a stencil, have built up a decent channel (reseller) program, and have established a decent public school (and collegiate) customer base. They are built more “robustly” than the typical Chinese horn, and seem to have good repair options (at least in the US and the UK).
    Groups
    Valley City Community Band
    Valley City State University Concert Band
    2024 North Dakota Intercollegiate Band (you're never too old!)


    Larry Herzog Jr.

    All things EUPHONIUM! Guilded server

  8. #38
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Smoketown, Pa
    Posts
    233
    I have a used Festivo which I bought during the pandemic from a friend. It had a small dent in one of the tubings from shipping which can be easily removed. He did warn me about the cross threading as it was an early model. I knew about the cross threading but bought it anyway. I usually keep the treads greased a bit which helps. Usually I always have trouble with one valve but sometimes there is no problem. I think I've acquired the right touch plus over time I think the treads have cut into a better groove. I've seen some remarks about problems with the first valve and wonder what they are. My first valve tubing is very tight at the top and and must be carefully aligned before inserting the valve. It doesn't stick but somewhat annoying. I'm guessing it's not machined well. I do like the front valve action which is easy on the arthritis in my hand, primary reason for buying the horn. Basically I like the horn and played a solo with one of the community bands and done some solo work in church when the arthritis kicks in the the top valve horn is hard to play. The silver finish is ok as I've never polished it but kept in the case will not tarnish as recommended by Wessex. I'm thinking that this horn will have a long life span if some extra TLC is used. The intonation is generally good and I like the sound. Would I recommend it? To a young player no with the cross threading issues Otherwise, a high school student or higher I would.
    B&S 3046 Baritone/Euphonium
    Wessex Festivo
    B&S PT37-S
    Schilke ST20 Tenor Trombone
    Jupiter XO Double valve bass trombone

  9. #39
    Quote Originally Posted by BDeisinger View Post
    ...My first valve tubing is very tight at the top and and must be carefully aligned before inserting the valve. It doesn't stick but somewhat annoying. I'm guessing it's not machined well...
    It could be a machining issue, but it could also be this. See if this helps:

    https://youtu.be/rFfZ5TIlizw

    Dave Werden (ASCAP)
    Euphonium Soloist, U.S. Coast Guard Band, retired
    Adams Artist (Adams E3)
    Alliance Mouthpiece (DC3)
    YouTube: dwerden
    Facebook: davewerden
    Twitter: davewerden
    Instagram: davewerdeneuphonium

  10. #40
    Quote Originally Posted by Jharris View Post
    Owned 2 Sinfonico euphoniums over the course of a few months…

    First one the Valves and the actual tone pleasant and worked as expected…
    However the copper lacquer plating wore off the first valve within a few weeks… that I could live with.
    The bell developed an unexplainable crease. It had never been stood on its bell or dropped etc.
    My only theory is that the euphonium bounced when in its provided case when carried on my back.

    I had a Sterling that I carried the same way years ago and never had issues but I also dont remember it rattling when I walked… so combination of poor case and thin materials for the euphonium must have been a bad combo.

    Wessex eventually sent a second one… and it arrived dented… sent straight back.

    Wessex negotiated a reduced refund, so I ultimately lost money and certainly lost faith in a brand that I was initially very excited about, as the single sheet brass and all the rest of the concept behind it etc did make for an extremely easy to blow instrument.

    I see so many up for sale on market place etc. that I can only assume a lot of people also have issues with longevity or long term purchasing satisfaction…
    A little late to the party, but I agree with this statement. I too was very excited about my Wessex Dolce that i owned for 3 years. It played nicely and I thought it was a good euphonium. However, the silverplating is not what it should be if you ask me. Especially on the bar behind the valves, it wore down quickly (after 2 years). It was my main instrument. But because of this issue I sold it and bought my XO euphonium second hand for a really good price.

    I too would hesitate too see a stencil euphonium as a long term solution. As an interbellum instrument it did do everything it needed to do though. If you can hold out for the right second hand instrument, that is the way to go.
    Last edited by NLeuph; 02-20-2023 at 02:44 AM.

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