Willson Q90

[Joseph_Bickel]

Anyone at ITEC try the Q90? It felt great in the room; very in tune and easy to play, like a Shires Q, but with a deeper and more open feel that I get out of my Willson. I was told that it would be around Q series pricing, so this could be a great buy! Hope they let me try it in a more quiet space, but it’s a great contender so far!

[iMav]

So the Willson Q-series horns are starting to be revealed, eh? That was FAST!

Definitely looking forward to hearing more about them!

[iMav]

I wonder how similar the Willson Q-series horns will be to their legacy (now "custom" series?) horns... 2900, 2950, 2960.

I love how Eastman has bridged the gap between quality and affordability (in a completely different way than other chinese manufacturers have done).

[MichaelSchott]

Can someone please explain where the Q series fits in the Willson product line? Does it compete with the Adams Sonic? There’s precious little info on the ‘net.

[iMav]

Can someone please explain where the Q series fits in the Willson product line? Does it compete with the Adams Sonic? There’s precious little info on the ‘net.

The Chinese production line made at Eastman are the Q series instruments…and all the Eastman subsidiaries have them. Bourgeois Q guitars, Haynes Q flutes, Shires Q trumpets, Q trombones, and Q euphoniums, Backun Q clarinets, and now Willson Q euphoniums. It helps to bolster and maintain already good boutique manufacturers, and also builds up the parent company (Eastman)…giving them a leg up on other Asian manufacturers who have access to the same affordable labor and parts, but have inferior design knowledge.

[dsurkin]

The Chinese production line made at Eastman are the Q series instruments…and all the Eastman subsidiaries have them. Bourgeois Q guitars, Haynes Q flutes, Shires Q trumpets, Q trombones, and Q euphoniums, Backun Q clarinets, and now Willson Q euphoniums. It helps to bolster and maintain already good boutique manufacturers, and also builds up the parent company (Eastman)…giving them a leg up on other Asian manufacturers who have access to the same affordable labor and parts, but have inferior design knowledge.

There's a potential here for intracompany adverse competition. The Shires euphonium, I have read, was meant to compete with Willson; a modernization and improvement of the Willson design while maintaining the overall tone color (correct me if I'm wrong). Now there will be a Willson Q euphonium competing with the Shires Q euphonium?

The Willson name may justify a higher price, but then again, Shires has a good reputation among professionals (Joe Alessi plays Shires now). So which will be more expensive: Willson Q or Shires Q?

[iMav]

The Willson name may justify a higher price, but then again, Shires has a good reputation among professionals (Joe Alessi plays Shires now). So which will be more expensive: Willson Q or Shires Q?

The Q-series instruments, by design, are lower cost (mid-tier price wise). So, even though the Q41 was (arguably) inspired by the 2900…it is still more of a budget-friendly option…given the Chinese manufacturing.

Don’t forget that Eastman has their own euphoniums as well… the EEP 426, 526, 822, and 826 models.

I think of them as different items on the same overall Eastman menu. Whichever you choose, Eastman is making money.

[euphdude]

So the Willson Q-series horns are starting to be revealed, eh? That was FAST!

Definitely looking forward to hearing more about them!

I'm very confused - I thought the Q41 was supposed to be the Shires horn for Willson 2900 fans - Hiram Diaz and others were supposedly involved in the development. Are these Q90s supposed to be even more Willson like?

[davewerden]

I just played a little on a Q90. Seems like a good option as a lower cost version of the venerable 2900. medium shack, not as heavy physically as a Wilson 2900. Tone is similar, but not as powerful.

[iMav]

I'm very confused - I thought the Q41 was supposed to be the Shires horn for Willson 2900 fans - Hiram Diaz and others were supposedly involved in the development. Are these Q90s supposed to be even more Willson like?

The Q41 is a Shires-branded horn. (Shires-designed, Eastman assembled)
The Q90 is a Willson-branded horn. (Willson-designed, Eastman assembled)