First picture of my "new" Adams E3 with top sprung valves

[daruby]

Unpacking my Adams E3 (Part 1)

I took my Adams over to the factory in Ittervoort last July 26 in my Cronkhite gig bag. When I left the horn, I did not leave the bag or the original Marcus Bonna case. So Miel Adams and his team had to wrap up my horn carefully to ship it back to me. The following shows the unpacking and details of the horn in sequence from today's great unveiling. I must say that the package arrived in good shape and the horn is pristine!!! I am greatly relieved that there appears to be no shipping damage whatsoever.

[daruby]

Unpacking my Adams E3 (part 2)

More pictures in sequence showing the new Adams E3. I had already practiced 1 1/2 hours on my Sterling when I received the Adams. Though I did spend close to 30 minutes getting the horn oiled and tuned, my chops were pretty tired, so I don't have much feedback yet. I will say that the intonation seems not to have changed much at all with the change in the bell. I will continue to do strenuous practice through Saturday (next 4 days) then have a rehearsal from 11-1 on Sunday and a concert from 3-5. I should have pretty good feedback by the end of the week.

[UglyGrayDuck]

Wow, that is absolutely incredible. That is some wonderful artistry in the engraving! Hopefully it plays as well as it looks!

[iMav]

Any idea where someone could purchase aftermarket finger buttons for an Adams horn? (I'm jelly of yours!)

[daruby]

Any idea where someone could purchase aftermarket finger buttons for an Adams horn? (I'm jelly of yours!)

Direct from Adams. They have a store at the factory. Call the store in Ittervoort, NL

UPDATE: I just got off the phone with the Adams Music Centre store. I spoke with Marc Clout. You can order the custom finger buttons with just about any kind of insert (colored stones like mine, wood, etc) through them. They will need your instrument serial number and a description of what you would be looking for. Contact Information is:

Marc Clout
E: info@adams.nl
T: 011-31-475-560-700

[RickF]

Absolutely gorgeous Doug!! Thanks for sharing those pictures.

[Magikarp]

That looks phenomenal!

[dsurkin]

More pictures in sequence showing the new Adams E3. [snip]

Beautiful horn!
I have a stupid question: do you use silver polish on the bell and nothing on the rest of the horn?

[davewerden]

I have a stupid question: do you use silver polish on the bell and nothing on the rest of the horn?

The brushed finish is lacquered, and I assume the bell is, too. But I'll leave the authoritative answer to Doug!

That is truly a beautiful job of engraving!

[MichaelSchott]

Any idea where someone could purchase aftermarket finger buttons for an Adams horn? (I'm jelly of yours!)

I have an E3 and forgot to order fancy buttons when I ordered the horn. Later I ordered a set with the green abalone inserts. They are gorgeous. You may also be able to specify the plating on the buttons but I’m not sure. Mine are silver plated. I ordered through my distributor.

[daruby]

Beautiful horn!
I have a stupid question: do you use silver polish on the bell and nothing on the rest of the horn?

Dean, great question. Not entirely sure yet, though I think the answer is yes. I will attempt to keep the bell area and engraving nice by using "silver gloves" to touch it up from time to time. Full polish with silver cream or spray on stuff may be required at some time.

Doug

[iMav]

I have an E3 and forgot to order fancy buttons when I ordered the horn. Later I ordered a set with the green abalone inserts. They are gorgeous. You may also be able to specify the plating on the buttons but I’m not sure. Mine are silver plated. I ordered through my distributor.

I dropped an email to Adams. We’ll see. I don’t really have a local distributor/reseller around here.

How much did the buttons cost you?

[franz]

Magnificent horn: I'm sure the sound that will come out of it will be just as sublime. Well done! I'm curious: how much did this upgrade cost you?

[daruby]

Hey all...I don't want to be rude, but I will not reply to pricing questions since as a trade show demo prototype, this horn was already used in 2017 and is quite a bit more "custom" than many. Though I purchased the horn originally through my wonderful dealer, Austin Custom Brass, most of my dealings since have been direct with Adams (with Trent Austin's knowledge) due to the unusual nature of the horn. I have been paying mostly retail, but if you want pricing information, you should work with your distributor/dealer or the Adams Music Centre store in the NL. Please note that I did not pay for shipping to the Netherlands since I went there this summer as part of my annual trip to the International Brass Band Summer School. Return shipping was part of what I paid.

[John Morgan]

Gorgeous horn, Doug! It looks simply wonderful. Adams does a pretty good job with packing and shipping, as I have had mine sent to me a couple times from them. Their box is the best I have seen from any euphonium manufacturer, but I admit I haven't seen many others in a ton of years. Now be careful with it!! Us old codgers can be butterfingers, so extra caution. I am ridiculously careful with mine.

You know they still have Miss America and other beauty contests. We should have a euphonium beauty contest. It doesn't have to be over the top, but we could make a call for your finest photograph of your euphonium, gather up and post all of the entries in one place, then take a poll right here. The winner gets, well, nothing, but imagine the pride you will have for your horn. And there are no losers, as anyone who has a euphonium and enters is a winner just for owning, loving and playing this most remarkable instrument.