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i know this probably sounds like the most needless project in the world. I own 4 euphoniums, and haven't played my 2280 since I bought my packer 274 several years ago. And now, I own what I could make the bias argument that I own the best euphonium in the world, my just about one of a kind, short action, Sterling silver bell Adams E3.
But my old king 2280 still has a soft spot in my heart. Fantastic intonation, Four quick, short, light valves all in the right hand, and it sits a little taller than a British style Euph, which is nice for someone my height (6 foot 8..). I liked it enough at one point to turn it into a full Chromatic instrument by adding a 5th valve to it.
When I bought the horn it was a wreck, dented to hell with terrible lacquer. I got out the dents I could and gave it a satin finish with steel wool, and then sprayed nitro lacquer over it. It looked decent for a while, but the lacquer didn't hold up to every day use. In the back of my mind I thought I was going to find a silver body for it, transfer the 5th valve to that, and THAT would be my forever Euphonium.
Then Rob at John Packer got me a great deal on the 274, and then I splurged on the Adams last year. The king sat and sat
Then I found a silver 2280 body with parts missing on Ebay dirt cheap. the body was in great shape, with the exception of the parts that were missing. I bought it, polished it up, and started to take apart the ugly horn.
The plan is to polish the brass parts from the old king and sent them off for bright plating, Re build the 5th valve tubing to make it even better, make a new 4th valve circuit because I never liked the factory design of the old one, build a proper valve return because I was never happy with the Carburetor spring I used on the first design, and put it all together for a rebirth.
Will I ever play it? I'm not sure. It depends on how much I love it when I put it back together. The tuba player in me really likes the 4+1 config, so we'll see. I already have offers on the Adams if ever wanted to sell it, but I'm really enjoying that one too.
photos of the project at the link below
https://drive.google.com/drive/folde...2o?usp=sharing
more to come!
But my old king 2280 still has a soft spot in my heart. Fantastic intonation, Four quick, short, light valves all in the right hand, and it sits a little taller than a British style Euph, which is nice for someone my height (6 foot 8..). I liked it enough at one point to turn it into a full Chromatic instrument by adding a 5th valve to it.
When I bought the horn it was a wreck, dented to hell with terrible lacquer. I got out the dents I could and gave it a satin finish with steel wool, and then sprayed nitro lacquer over it. It looked decent for a while, but the lacquer didn't hold up to every day use. In the back of my mind I thought I was going to find a silver body for it, transfer the 5th valve to that, and THAT would be my forever Euphonium.
Then Rob at John Packer got me a great deal on the 274, and then I splurged on the Adams last year. The king sat and sat
Then I found a silver 2280 body with parts missing on Ebay dirt cheap. the body was in great shape, with the exception of the parts that were missing. I bought it, polished it up, and started to take apart the ugly horn.
The plan is to polish the brass parts from the old king and sent them off for bright plating, Re build the 5th valve tubing to make it even better, make a new 4th valve circuit because I never liked the factory design of the old one, build a proper valve return because I was never happy with the Carburetor spring I used on the first design, and put it all together for a rebirth.
Will I ever play it? I'm not sure. It depends on how much I love it when I put it back together. The tuba player in me really likes the 4+1 config, so we'll see. I already have offers on the Adams if ever wanted to sell it, but I'm really enjoying that one too.
photos of the project at the link below
https://drive.google.com/drive/folde...2o?usp=sharing
more to come!
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