BESSON 2052 PRESTIGE, SILVER, M.I. UK, Adams E1 sterling silver or Willson 2900 TA?

[simonm29]

And thats the sound
https://www.kapwing.com/videos/63de66cdfc911e00184591bf

[davewerden]

https://www.kapwing.com/videos/63de64a5430040001eca2d92
Thats this adams- video. Amy recommendation? No model sign on reciever, he is saying that previous owner sad is E1 but with heavy valve....can it be?

Well, that complicates things a little! I believe I have previously seen an E1 with the heavy valve block, which was a custom order. So it's possible that is what this one is. That would probably make it feel/sound a bit more solid, like the E2, but the E2's biggest difference is the .80 metal, which makes it quite heavy.

Every Adams I've tried has the stamped receiver (actually, it is the receiver's "holder" that is stamped, not the part that you turn to adjust the AGR). But they are always making small changes, and they are all hand made, so I can't be totally sure. I tried to find some good photos showing the bracing along the bell, but could not. My understanding was that the E2 had a somewhat different placement of the top brace, I think.

[simonm29]

And the Willson

https://www.kapwing.com/videos/63de69b1430040001eca31a9

https://www.kapwing.com/videos/63de6a6f4adb7e00dc69b1d5

So, which one is in better condition and what about sound? Many thanks

[guidocorona]

Two very nice sounding euphoniums...

I am rather surprised that I enjoyed the tone of the Willson even more than the Adams... For some reasons, I am hearing more complex higher harmonics from the 2900 than from the E1-E2 hybrid.... Difficult to tell however if what I hear really reflects the horns or some quirk of the recordings instead.

Best, Guido

[davewerden]

When I do comparison videos, I try really hard to use the same bell direction and distance from the mic - it can make an audible difference:

[simonm29]

Yes, its true
Im concerned about the adams, if its originaly or whatever.... thinking to go with willson...dont know anymore

[simonm29]

Well, that complicates things a little! I believe I have previously seen an E1 with the heavy valve block, which was a custom order. So it's possible that is what this one is. That would probably make it feel/sound a bit more solid, like the E2, but the E2's biggest difference is the .80 metal, which makes it quite heavy.

Every Adams I've tried has the stamped receiver (actually, it is the receiver's "holder" that is stamped, not the part that you turn to adjust the AGR). But they are always making small changes, and they are all hand made, so I can't be totally sure. I tried to find some good photos showing the bracing along the bell, but could not. My understanding was that the E2 had a somewhat different placement of the top brace, I think.

Hi
Can it be found, the exactly model with which valve for example, sending to Adams the serial number ? Ty

[davewerden]

Hi
Can it be found, the exactly model with which valve for example, sending to Adams the serial number ? Ty

It wouldn't hurt to ask, but I have no idea if they have a person with time to handle requests like that.

[iMav]

Adams has never failed to respond to me with queries…regarding how trivial. They HAVE taken a while, of course. But I think they would eventually get around to answering you, as they have time to do so.

[Magikarp]

Definitely prefer the sound of the Adams. The Willson has a lot of edge to the sound. It’s hard to take edge away. That’s the reason I bought an E2. The 1 and 3 broke up at the loudest dynamics, although Gary Curtin sounded sublime on his at the RNCM Festival Of Brass (side note - if any of you are in the UK at the end of January it really is worth a special trip to Manchester)