TubeNet

So I am looking to purchase the Meinl Weston 751 Phoenix Series Compensating Euphonium, but I am having trouble finding any opinions of it, I was wondering if anyone here had an opinion about it, and if you could share it I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance !

I'm not sure if it was the same model, but I've played on some Meinl-Weston euphoniums and they have a nice sound and play well - usually. I've heard, though, that their QC is all over the map, so I'd play on a few before buying to make sure it's the horn you want. You could play one and love it, then buy another and end up with one that isn't as good.

I don't really like any of the MW euphoniums. I didn't take notes the most recent time I played them at Midwest, but I do remember this one being uncomfortable to hold with a trigger that hits your body when used (and I'm super skinny) with several "funny" notes around low G and Gb. Pass and go to the Miraphones, or even better pass them all and go to the King. That is a sweet horn- lightweight, big fat sound, excellent (chromatic) low range, and much more affordable.

I will add in my two cents, though like the others, I haven't played the 751. I do, however, have a year old 551 which has a fabulous sound. There are great resonant sounds with strong projection, that can be had on this instrument that floored me the first time I picked it up. I have gotten many compliments on the sound. In addition, with one notable exception, the horn has excellent intonation. That exception being the low b natural (no surprise). Only with a pull, or fingered 2-4 can this note be in tune. It is this note which resulted in later models having a main slide trigger, I believe. Also, a plus is that the 3 fingering in place of 12 is just as in tune and is a handy alternate to be able to use. I have played a few euphs over the years, including a two month stint with a Yama 642, and I'll take the Meinl's sound over those I have played, hands down. I can find no reason to look for better elsewhere and am very happy with the sound, intonation, and impeccable build quality of at least the one I have. Can't speak to the issue of inconsistency, but I love mine.

In response to the questions about the consistency and quality control of the MW euphs, I had three new 551's that I trialed simultaneously and found them to be virtually identical in every respect. I kept two.

Adding weight to comment above:

"snorlax" is an old Lower Mouldavian word meaning "real good euph player who covers the french horn part with his euph"

Hint: http://columbusbrass.com/members.html" target="_blank" target="_blank

Sorry, Wilson with a medium shank is the professional standard.

So, basically a bunch of euphonium players. That's not helping your case.

Bob Kolada wrote:So, basically a bunch of euphonium players.

... who DO NOT play a Willson Euro-shank euphonium... but are professional!

Amilcare wrote:Sorry, Wilson with a medium shank is the professional standard.

Never heard of "Wilson." Is that some vendor-brand Chinese stencil?

The medium shank WILLSON 2900s may very well be A professional level euphonium, and it may very well be a popular choice in one circle of professional and aspiring professional euphonium players in the US, but it is not nearly as highly thought of in Canada, UK, continental Europe, Japan, and elsewhere, and I rather suspect that the European euphoniumists listed on the Willson Artists page of Willson's website--none of whom play a medium shank Willson--would dispute that a medium shank Willson is "the professional standard."

Yeah, the Willson with the medium shank is so last century.

Wasn't the topic about Meinl euphs, not whose is best? The poster wanted to hear from people about the 751, not why he is foolish to want one.

Rick F wrote:

Bob Kolada wrote:So, basically a bunch of euphonium players.

... who DO NOT play a Willson Euro-shank euphonium... but are professional!

I was making a joke on euph players.

vintage7512 wrote:Wasn't the topic about Meinl euphs, not whose is best? The poster wanted to hear from people about the 751, not why he is foolish to want one.

Same thing!

Thank you everyone for your opinions, I'm just in great need of upgrading from a yamaha 321 to a professional horn and I am blown away by all the options

Also I feel I should add that sadly due to where I am there is absolutely no place to try out euphoniums, so I am purchasing offline from WWBW. Also while i have heard many good things about the miraphone 5050, I am on a budget and I really cant spend much over $5500. The meinl weston being on sale actually is what prompted me to look at it.

What do you dislike about your 321 and would want different in another horn?

tboneplaya36 wrote:Also I feel I should add that sadly due to where I am there is absolutely no place to try out euphoniums, so I am purchasing offline from WWBW. Also while i have heard many good things about the miraphone 5050, I am on a budget and I really cant spend much over $5500. The meinl weston being on sale actually is what prompted me to look at it.

Since budget is a primary issue, why are you buying a new horn rather than a used one?

Unless you're dead set on a 751, you can pick up a used horn in very good to excellent condition for significantly less than the sale price advertised on WWBW's website. Yamaha 642s routinely sell for < $3500 on ebay, and 842s and Besson Prestiges for < $4500. Heck, there's a used Sterling Virtuoso listed for sale on Dave Werden's website for < $5k.

Art Lehman's last horn was a Willson. We both played medium shank Bessons in DC in the 60s. As for the others, they play very well. However, please name any who play mws.

David Werden had a hand in the design of the Sterlings. I think they're OK. I do not like doing business with Custom. Just my feelings.

Unless you're dead set on a 751, you can pick up a used horn in very good to excellent condition for significantly less than the sale price advertised on WWBW's website.

I could agree more with this post. Still like my 551 a lot.

Well within your budget would be the Gerhard Baier compensating euphonium. Mine has excellent intonation, killer sound, and great response. Finding someone who carries them, though, isn't easy. (And it's German-made, not Chinese.) I got mine through Steve France at Summerhays Music in Utah.