Adams E1 and E3 Compared

[razorbacks1898]

Thank you all for the quick response! I'm thoroughly intrigued. I wish I had the chance to play an E3 with the SS Bell, I think I'd really like it. Maybe I'll have the chance before pulling the trigger. I appreciate your response Dave, and have been following along in your Adams journey!

[miketeachesclass]

I think there are a number of players in the UNT studio that play adams. It would possibly be worth reaching out.

I have an E3 with SS bell, and find it easy to play over an ensemble as well as play lightly for chamber work.

Thank you all for the quick response! I'm thoroughly intrigued. I wish I had the chance to play an E3 with the SS Bell, I think I'd really like it. Maybe I'll have the chance before pulling the trigger. I appreciate your response Dave, and have been following along in your Adams journey!

[massmanute]

Please read the first post in this thread, which is my own description of the difference. The E1 is a great horn, and the primary reason you might yearn for the E3 at some point is if you are playing solos in front of or with a large ensemble. The E3 has more ability to project higher volumes. But you might find the E1 a better fit for work with piano or chamber ensembles and/or playing in smaller rooms.

You can hear my own audio comparison of the two horns here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Uc_Ag0bYiE

It's been a few years since your post, but I wonder if you could comment on E1 vs. E2 for a person with limited lung capacity (Let us say, around 3 liters) and also limited ability to play real loud. Would one or the other of these two horns be preferred for that sort of player?

[NLeuph]

Hi Massmanute,
I would definitely try the E1 in that case! The E2 is made from 0.8 mm brass, which does require more effort to play than 0.5 - 0.6 mm brass. If I were in your situation I'd try the lighter models and maybe also include the lighter E3 models. Since you say that you have limited ability to play loud, the lighter metal should not be a problem in terms of overblowing the instrument.

[davewerden]

Hi Massmanute,
I would definitely try the E1 in that case! The E2 is made from 0.8 mm brass, which does require more effort to play than 0.5 - 0.6 mm brass. If I were in your situation I'd try the lighter models and maybe also include the lighter E3 models. Since you say that you have limited ability to play loud, the lighter metal should not be a problem in terms of overblowing the instrument.

That says it! You could also consider the Adams SONIC, which is non compensating. It is physically lighter and come with .55 brass. It has slightly less resistance than a compensating horn, which combined with the .55 thickness would make it easy to manage. The downside is that it needs you to make adjustments and use alternate fingerings below E below the bass clef staff (or F# below the treble clef staff).

https://youtu.be/zhn8QkkBPS0

[massmanute]

Thanks for the two replies, and yes, I should have also included E3 in my question, but you guys covered that pretty well.

[Alex]

I currently play a Besson Sovereign and am making the switch to Adams after comparing the E3, the E1, and the Besson all together. The Adams I tried were the selected models. I liked the E1 best. I have never played a euph with a Sterling bell. I don't mind shelling out more Dinero if it's worth it. I'm not a pro, but I am a very discerning adult musician with a couple of music performance degrees. How does a Sterling bell affect the sound and playability of an E1 compared to the selected yellow brass with Sterling plate?

[davewerden]

I currently play a Besson Sovereign and am making the switch to Adams after comparing the E3, the E1, and the Besson all together. The Adams I tried were the selected models. I liked the E1 best. I have never played a euph with a Sterling bell. I don't mind shelling out more Dinero if it's worth it. I'm not a pro, but I am a very discerning adult musician with a couple of music performance degrees. How does a Sterling bell affect the sound and playability of an E1 compared to the selected yellow brass with Sterling plate?

If the player is discerning (as you feel you are) and have the ability to temper their tone for the musical feel they want, the SS bell offers you a wider range of color and ultimately will handle more power from very strong players. It weighs more, which can be a consideration for some. And it dents more easily. (On the other hand, I am told that it is easier to work dents out of SS because of its softer nature.)

In a small room with a low ceiling, the brass will probably sound better to your ears because of the way sound radiates from the 2 metals. In a performance-size room the SS is easier to love.

[Alex]

Awesome. Thanks for the advice.