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I’m a tubist looking to pick up a euphonium for an occasional gig and perhaps some community band playing. As such I’m not looking to drive a dump truck full of money around looking for a Willson 2900. In my price range, $1200 plus or minus a bit, it looks like there are three options.

Option one would be a used non-compensating four valve horn like a used Yamaha 321, used King 2280 or, for a bit more, a new Weril. No real surprises here and the supplies seem to be relatively plentiful. I have seen comments that imply new King 2280’s are improved over the older models. Other than the obvious play test, what do you look for here? I also see comments that older 321’s are superior to the latest issue.

Option two would be to find a used three-valve compensating horn. This might take a bit more searching. It might also give us a chance to see if Dr. Young is still contributing to the list. How often outside of the practice rooms do you euph players use the range from low Eflat to pedal Bflat?

Option three would be a used “Americanâ€

From the research I've done recently, the King 2280 seems to be the best bet, mostly because of the large shank--the YEP 321 is small shank. I can't answer to the comp euphs--never played one. I would think the large shank would assist someone who is primarily a tuba player. Mouthpiece choice would also come in to play as well.

Ally "who should have been more patient and not bought an ISO knock-off euphonium and waited for a good used one and who is probably going to end up playing a BBb in the community band anyway" House

I would want to spend more time researching possible horns, but I like the Tuba Exchange 1300L that I tried recently. It is not the very best euphonium I have ever tried, but for $895 it seems like a good candidate for a tuba player who needs a euph every now and then. That would be me, by the way. However, since I have recently spent some significant money on a tuba, this one is not in the cards for me at this time. With a price tag of under a grand, this is the best playing, NEW euphonium I have ever tried.

I have a King 2280, and I cannot get it up to pitch with a deep cup mouthpiece like a 51D. I have pitch problems in general with it. Either I really don't know how to play a euph, this is a bad one, or it is designed for 12C mouthpieces. I don't have pitch problems on my horn or my CC tuba, so I lean towards it being an instrument problem.

MA

I have a 2280 for my band, and my kid uses a 5G mouthpiece with it, It actually has really good intonation tendencies for a non-comp euphonium. I bought this one new a couple years ago and I really like it as an affordable alternative to a compensating willson or besson

If you're patient you can get a really good deal by looking around and waiting just a bit. I bought an older Besson 3+1 compensating horn last summer off ebay for $910 shipped. It needed a bath and has some laquer wear and a minor wrinkle on the bell, but it plays great. It even included the original case, though I don't use it since I had a euph gig bag lying around.

Any other examples of 4 valve non-compensating euphoniums with large shank that are relatively inexpensive?

Has anyone tried, or know anyone who has tried, installing a large shank mouthpipe onto a Yamaha YEP-321 as bloke suggested? If so, could you post or PM me your opinion of the effect?

I do have a YEP-321 that I love, and my only complaint is with sound output. I think the reason for that maybe the small shank. I would love to have gotten a large shank euph, but most of those are also compensating and cost $3500 USD+.

quinterbourne wrote:Any other examples of 4 valve non-compensating euphoniums with large shank that are relatively inexpensive?

When I used to play euph, I tried a Jupiter 570 (3 + 1, non-comp). I liked it. And it's cheap.

Can't beat the price ($1,600) or the quality of tone or craftsmanship of this old Boosey & Hawkes Imperial . I payed a bit more for mine then I should have and you can get them for less (ebay) . I would also suggest a 1970's era Besson . Both will be 4 valved,compensated and large shanked . Both are comparable to a Willson 2900 with out the big fat price tag .

quinterbourne wrote:Has anyone tried, or know anyone who has tried, installing a large shank mouthpipe onto a Yamaha YEP-321 as bloke suggested? If so, could you post or PM me your opinion of the effect?

I do have a YEP-321 that I love, and my only complaint is with sound output. I think the reason for that maybe the small shank. I would love to have gotten a large shank euph, but most of those are also compensating and cost $3500 USD+.

I added a large shank receiver (from Yamaha) to my early 1970s vintage 321S about 25 years ago . It plays just fine with the large receiver. The horn still isn't a powerhouse in the low register, but from low Bb in the staff on up I prefer the sound of the 321 to any of the larger horns I have played.

I haven't been very impressed with more recent 321s than mine though. Don't know if the design has changed, or if they just don't take as much care with the instruments as they did when it was the top of the line horn for them.

Eric Carlson

quinterbourne wrote:Any other examples of 4 valve non-compensating euphoniums with large shank that are relatively inexpensive?

The TE1300 has a large shank. Played one with a Schilke 52 something or another at Midwest. I distinctly remember Vince and Steve mentioning the large shank.