Prestige Valve Caps

[superted]

Has anyone had success with using lighter set of valve caps on the Prestige euph?

I know Steven Mead was using:
Light - 1st, 2nd top
Heavy - everything else

From my observations most people just keep the heavy caps on (factory default).

I like the feel and sound of light weights caps, at least in my small rehearsal room. However, I worry that the sound might not have enough focus / core.

I'm using a Hammond 11XL because for whatever reason I'm most in tune in the upper register with it. When I am on the 4AL or SM4U I'm way sharp in the upper register.

Regards,
Ted

[Jharris]

I don’t think the sound changes, it’s how it feels and responds to you personally that counts… a bit like having lighter springs etc. everyone’s physiology is different and preferences vary. If it feels right then it’s right for you.

I feel heavier caps and springs coordinate with my playing better than lighter ones. I am guessing you might be the opposite.

Mouthpiece choice will have a bigger difference over sound than valve caps IMO.

[iMav]

I believe jharris is correct. Adding weight helps with “slotting” the notes. So, playability improvement, and not sound/tone/etc improvement.

[miketeachesclass]

I am using heavy/light/heavy.

It seems to help some response in the upper register, but that may be placebo effect.

Mike

[stevevaughn]

I did a bit of experimenting a while ago with my new Prestige.

I found that the heavier the setup is...the sound becomes more dull and heavy (which some may think of as "dark", depending on the listener/player), and with more defined slotting, but sluggish response.
The lighter the setup is...the sound has more brilliance and is lighter, and the slots are wider, and response is better.

I double on tuba a lot, so I have a broader, darker approach to playing euphonium than others I have played with/talked to. So... I use a lighter setup to give my sound more brilliance, and I like having quick response for the way I play. Another player may benefit from "darkening" the sound because they tend to play on the brighter/narrower side (not that it's worse/better!), and they would benefit from a heavier setup.

This is all on a spectrum, I don't think anyone would benefit from all heavy or all light. If so...maybe they just need to practice more to get the sound they want