Who does custom engraving?

[Sara Hood]

Sara, reading your description it sounds like a really cool idea, I hope you are able to find someone! Also, it sounds a lot like you are giving your euphonium a tattoo, which I guess in many ways you are

It is appropriate that you think of it that way. So do I (grin)! If you would not include something in a tattoo, don't include it in a horn engraving. I don't have the euphonium yet, but with the prices out there for stenciled and compensated euphs, I could possibly splurge. I will pull the trigger if I can put all the pieces together and I can still afford it.

- Sara

[Sara Hood]

Okay, so far only got one nibble from someone in the US to do the engraving work. Has any forum members ever worked with a Ryan Walker before? http://ryanwalkerengraving.com/ His website suggests that he has mostly worked on saxes in the past. I am still exploring the idea.

It looks like the engraving work can be as much as the horn itself. Which makes me a bit uneasy because getting the engraving will invalidate any store based warranty. Fortunately https://www.musicstore.com/en_US/USD...BLAS-BLAEUPKOM euphoniums are currently available at a very reasonable price.

- Sara

[Sara Hood]

Are there any forum members in/near Wilmington, North Carolina? I am still pricing things out, but I am getting closer to pulling the trigger. My latest obstacle is that I have no way to try out the horn before it gets engraved, unless I pay for more shipping stops, and am willing to have the whole project take longer. I am hoping to find someone in or near Wilmington who I can have the horn shipped to, they try it out for me, and then assuming it play tests well, hand it off to Ryan Walker for me. Then Mr. Walker can ship the finished project to me. This is essentially a two stop shipment.

The alternative is to have the horn shipped to me, I play test it, then I ship it to NC, Mr. Walker engraves it and finally ships it back to me. This is essentially a three stop shipment. I am hoping that within the network of low brass players on this forum, there will be someone willing to help a fellow player out. Anyone? (laugh) I would be most grateful.

- Sara (in Elk Grove, CA, near Sacramento)

[iMav]

Just as an FYI. DHL and USPS are dog slow getting orders from Germany to the US. You will eventually get your order from Music Store…just know it could take 3-4 weeks. (The prices are definitely great…I am going to review one of their stencil euphoniums soon!)

[Sara Hood]

Just as an FYI. DHL and USPS are dog slow getting orders from Germany to the US. You will eventually get your order from Music Store…just know it could take 3-4 weeks. (The prices are definitely great…I am going to review one of their stencil euphoniums soon!)

I am aware that this could take a few months to pull off. I am considering Music Store's Monzani euphoniums. I am also considering Thomman's store brand for the same basic horn. Thomman has cooler looking finishes, but higher prices than their competition. I don't mind that the horns are JinBao stencils. I already own a JinBao baritone and have no complaints with it musically speaking. The idea of getting a new horn at a price that will let me customize it, by stepping outside the US instrument market, is very appealing.

So I am eagerly awaiting your review Larry.

- Sara

[Sara Hood]

What?! Are there no forum members in/near Wilmington, North Carolina? I have yet to get a single reply to this query. I will try to make things work one way or the other. I just thought that the banding brotherhood/sisterhood would be a good place to start.

- Sara

[iMav]

Perhaps try the FB group. (“euphonium players”)

[davewerden]

Sara, I just found this FB group that is focused on engraving:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057547086169

Check out the photos section. There is some very unusual stuff there!

[Sara Hood]

Update on the engraving project - I did find someone to engrave the horn and to play test the horn for me. But then 7 days ago, I tripped an broke my elbow. So I have had to shelve this idea indefinitely. I should be able to get back to playing within a few weeks, but I am not sure about handling a bigger and heavier horn. I need to run the whole thing by the specialist before I say anything for sure. I am luck that it is my left arm, so working valves is no problem. Holding the horn could be challenging for a few though. So I am holding off on making new purchases until I know how I come out on the other side.

- Sara

[iMav]

Hey Sara, if you’d like to test and see how handling the horn works out for you, drop me a DM. I’d be more than happy to ship my recently-acquired Monzani to you to try out. (I’ve got plenty of horns to keep me busy for now.)

[Sara Hood]

Hey Sara, if you’d like to test and see how handling the horn works out for you, drop me a DM. I’d be more than happy to ship my recently-acquired Monzani to you to try out. (I’ve got plenty of horns to keep me busy for now.)

Thank you, Larry, for the offer. I may take you up on that once I have had a chance to see how I am doing with rehab and therapy.

I will confess to being a little jealous of seeing how easily you have been able to acquire horns all along the price spectrum. Hope your horn journey has been as fun for you as it has sounded second hand.

- Sara

[iMav]

I will confess to being a little jealous of seeing how easily you have been able to acquire horns all along the price spectrum.

I admit that part of the reason for selling the E3 is that, after considering the financial investment coupled with the play-ability of the JP274, I really couldn't justify keeping it. I may dip my toe in to the pro market again if I ever get a chance to test several of them... (I like the idea of supporting S.E.Shires for sure)

I actually went back and forth on selling the Adams until it became obvious that it would be a blessing to the recipient.