If you had to recommend a "second best", upper-mid to pro level euphonium.......

[davewerden]

I actually hadn’t given the Miraphone much thought. May listen to a few vids and read some reviews before I go all in on the Adams E3.

Anyone owned both the E3 and the M5050 and prefer the Miraphone horn??

John posted about his personal experience with both horns on the previous page:

http://www.dwerden.com/forum/showthr...966#post163966

[iMav]

John posted about his personal experience with both horns on the previous page.

Saw that. I guess I should have said…anyone else? 😂

[JTJ]

Well, I've owned a Miraphone 5050 and an Adams E2. I was quite happy with the 5050, playing it for a year or so in both wind and brass bands. I had to quit because arthritis in my hands made playing it painful; something about the valve setup was painful. The sound was huge if you needed it to be--giant, hall filling sound. The E2 was a good horn, but not so special, really. My first Adams was an E1 with a sterling silver bell, a truly great euphonium. I think the great Adams euphoniums are the sterling silver belled ones because of qualities in the sound, but I feel the brass belled ones I've played just are not in the same class.

I've owned most of the classic, "professional" euphs, but my favorite back up euphonium is the Yamaha Neo 642. It does so much right, has such smoothness and evenness of sound from top to bottom, and blends so well with other brass, that I know I can count on it in any situation.

Arthritis in my hands has kept me from playing much lately, but I've been playing an Adams Sonic and a 642 Neo in the last year or so.

[iMav]

I think the great Adams euphoniums are the sterling silver belled ones because of qualities in the sound, but I feel the brass belled ones I've played just are not in the same class.

The Adams E3s that I have tried (one of which I was around for months) have a more dull sound- I’d imagine this is due to the overall heavy weight of the instrument...The E3 is essentially the euphonium version of a literal tank- plays like it and sounds like it too.

I've heard others elude to the non-sterling bell Adams euphoniums sounding dull. Given the high Adams praise here, I assume most disagree? (now I am weighing the significant monetary ramifications of going with a custom E3 over the Select model... )

One functional thing I like about the Adams horns (or, at least, like the idea of it) is the adjustable mouthpiece receiver. I plan to re-evaluate my mouthpiece (currently play on an SM4U, gold-plated) when I get a new horn...and I know that different mouthpieces will sit differently in the receiver. So, being able to adjust for the different mouthpieces (AND my personal preference) is a big selling point. I also don't want a trigger...so intonation is a selling point too (and, looking at Dave's testing...the E3 is tops in this category (knowing full well this can vary widely based on individual player)).

[davewerden]

I've heard others elude to the non-sterling bell Adams euphoniums sounding dull. Given the high Adams praise here, I assume most disagree? (now I am weighing the significant monetary ramifications of going with a custom E3 over the Select model... )

I'm not sure why people say the brass bells sound dull. Gary Curtin (shown in the image attached) chose to play an E2 in brass (antique finish) and sounds quite nice.

Also, I very nearly switched to a .70 brass E3 with gold satin lacquer, and that horn sounded quite close to the sterling silver bell version I own. Here is an A/B audio comparison that I made to help me decide:

https://youtu.be/DlM1lC6moKw

[iMav]

I'm not sure why people say the brass bells sound dull.

Thanks for the sound comparison video. Very helpful.

This same person said that an E3 would be too big of a horn for me, and that I would not be able to provide enough air (given the simple fact I am coming back to euphonium after significant time away). Because of this, he recommended the Willson 2900 (which just so happens to be the horn HE plays. ).

Certainly, I don't have "pro level" breathe control...however, I think I can move some significant air.

[rgorscak]

I was away from the horn for over 50 years. Since starting again in my 70s, I have not had any issue with both a Besson Prestige 2052 or the Adam E3. I went to the Adam E3 after the Besson basically because of intonation issues. It is just easier for me to play the Adam in tune rather than using the trigger to play the Besson in tune.

I do not find either horn too big for me.

[anadmai]

At 16 I got my 967 and it's the only horn I've ever played... well since I bought a BEAUTIFUL Sterling Virtuoso baritone from a certain someone in this group.

[MichaelSchott]

Thanks for the sound comparison video. Very helpful.

This same person said that an E3 would be too big of a horn for me, and that I would not be able to provide enough air (given the simple fact I am coming back to euphonium after significant time away). Because of this, he recommended the Willson 2900 (which just so happens to be the horn HE plays. ).

Certainly, I don't have "pro level" breathe control...however, I think I can move some significant air.

Interesting. I went from a 2900 to an E3 with SS bell. I couldn’t push enough air through the Willson, likely because of the thickness of the tubing. Not a problem with the .6mm tubing on the Adams. The SS bell allows the player to alter the tone if needed.

A final point, the larger bore of the E3 has taught me to push more air through the horn when needed but under normal playing getting the horn to vibrate provides a beautiful sound.

[JakeGuilbo]

If I couldn't play my E3 I'd go back to Yamaha, probably Neo w/trigger. It allowed me to do everything I needed and wanted to do and was a breeze to play.

[superted]

I've had experience with Bessons, Yamaha and Geneva.

Through this journey I have found that the instrument first needs to respond to the way I like to blow by making the sound I want to hear. I will work around everything else (e.g. intonation, ergonomics, etc.) to a reasonable extent.

Having to back off and let the horn vibrate and make whatever sound it wants just doesn't complement with the way I approach playing the euphonium.

My current horn is a new Prestige, and the issues it presents are challenges I'm happy to live with because I feel like I'm one with the instrument when I play it.

The Yamaha Neo are great, and super easy to play but I can't get the sound I want from it with the way I want to play.

My second choice will be Geneva. Although that might change if I get to spend some time on Sterling or Adams.

[MichaelSchott]

I've had experience with Bessons, Yamaha and Geneva.

Through this journey I have found that the instrument first needs to respond to the way I like to blow by making the sound I want to hear. I will work around everything else (e.g. intonation, ergonomics, etc.) to a reasonable extent.

Having to back off and let the horn vibrate and make whatever sound it wants just doesn't complement with the way I approach playing the euphonium.

My current horn is a new Prestige, and the issues it presents are challenges I'm happy to live with because I feel like I'm one with the instrument when I play it.

The Yamaha Neo are great, and super easy to play but I can't get the sound I want from it with the way I want to play.

My second choice will be Geneva. Although that might change if I get to spend some time on Sterling or Adams.

My description may not be accurate and certainly your experience may differ. There’s a reason so many high quality players on this site have chosen this Adams.

[iMav]

I appreciate all the participation and feedback in my recent threads. I am very excited to receive my new E3. The wait is going to try my patience!! 😂

[John Morgan]

I had to wait about 6 months from the time of order to when I eventually got my custom-made Adams E3. I went from an easy-going, laid-back gentleman with a full head of hair to an irritable, babbling, ornery, impatient half-bald nitwit in 6 short months waiting for my Adams!! Well, not really. I didn't have a full head of hair to start.

[iMav]

Mine is the standardized “Select” configuration…but I still have to wait for the order from Adams (Thomann sold the last of the stock they had before I submitted my order.)