Adams Custom Euphonium
Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 9:25 pm
I have recently switched from playing a Sterling Virtuoso euphonium to playing the Adams Custom euphonium. It was a difficult decision, because the Sterling plays very well and has a great sound. But in a testing period of several months, I learned that the Adams has the kind of sound I insist on from a euphonium. It is as warm as the Sterling I played, but has the ability to fill a room better. That was the first hurdle in my decision, because to me the sound has to meet a very high standard. One can adjust intonation and learn to deal with other quirks sometimes, but it is very tough to change the inherent sound you get from an instrument. The funny thing was that the Adams did not seem to have as nice a sound when I play-tested it in my usual home studio. But when I got it into a larger room I could hear from the sound around me that it had the tone I want. To make sure, I had some players who I often play with listen as I compared the two horns. Their comments were consistent with my observations: the two had a similar quality and general "prettiness" but the Adams got out into the room better. (I also did some recorded comparisons, which I'll post about separately - I think I came up with a good system for doing that.)
I find the Adams to have the best intonation of any euphonium I've tested (and I have tested just about every model out there). I'm going to actually choose one for myself later this year, but in the meantime I'm playing the demo horn. The pitch is so close I'm considering not getting the optional trigger. It would help on a few notes, but they are pretty easy to manage, and I would rather eliminate the weight of the trigger. But I may change my mind about that. Triggers are nice for the B natural just above pedal Bb, for example, and are helpful on notes with the 23 fingering. You can see the euphonium graph here if you are curious (and you can compare to other brands, although it's not a comprehensive list yet): http://www.dwerden.com/intonation/
The response of the Adams is truly great. It is much freer in the 4th valve register, and a little freer in the rest of the range as well. It makes some passages easier to play and I've learned I can stretch some expressiveness a bit more than before.
The adjustable-gap receiver is intriguing. I find a difference in response and sound as I change its setting. And for a very practical matter, it will allow me to adjust that gap to whatever I like if I happen to switch to a mouthpiece with a slightly different shank length/taper.
Build quality and finish are excellent, which seems consistent with comments from various other players who have examined the Adams at different events. The Bauerfeind valves are great - very smooth and dependable. I believe Adams owns Bauerfeind now, and they are doing some interesting experiments in that area.
I'll miss the Sterling - it's a nice horn. But the Adams offers me more advantages. The one I'm playing is the lacquered body with a solid sterling silver bell. It's an attractive appearance, but they have a few other dandy-looking models as well:
http://www.adams-music.com/nl/wf/instruments/euphonium/
Interesting (to me at least) is that they are showing two of the four photos with a satin finish. That had been deprecated by manufacturers in recent years, but it makes for a nice appearance. If you look at the photos, what do you think of the satin examples? I'm starting to like them more and more as I look at them.
Check out the horn if you have a chance. It makes a wonderful addition to the already extensive selection of professional euphoniums on the market.
I find the Adams to have the best intonation of any euphonium I've tested (and I have tested just about every model out there). I'm going to actually choose one for myself later this year, but in the meantime I'm playing the demo horn. The pitch is so close I'm considering not getting the optional trigger. It would help on a few notes, but they are pretty easy to manage, and I would rather eliminate the weight of the trigger. But I may change my mind about that. Triggers are nice for the B natural just above pedal Bb, for example, and are helpful on notes with the 23 fingering. You can see the euphonium graph here if you are curious (and you can compare to other brands, although it's not a comprehensive list yet): http://www.dwerden.com/intonation/
The response of the Adams is truly great. It is much freer in the 4th valve register, and a little freer in the rest of the range as well. It makes some passages easier to play and I've learned I can stretch some expressiveness a bit more than before.
The adjustable-gap receiver is intriguing. I find a difference in response and sound as I change its setting. And for a very practical matter, it will allow me to adjust that gap to whatever I like if I happen to switch to a mouthpiece with a slightly different shank length/taper.
Build quality and finish are excellent, which seems consistent with comments from various other players who have examined the Adams at different events. The Bauerfeind valves are great - very smooth and dependable. I believe Adams owns Bauerfeind now, and they are doing some interesting experiments in that area.
I'll miss the Sterling - it's a nice horn. But the Adams offers me more advantages. The one I'm playing is the lacquered body with a solid sterling silver bell. It's an attractive appearance, but they have a few other dandy-looking models as well:
http://www.adams-music.com/nl/wf/instruments/euphonium/
Interesting (to me at least) is that they are showing two of the four photos with a satin finish. That had been deprecated by manufacturers in recent years, but it makes for a nice appearance. If you look at the photos, what do you think of the satin examples? I'm starting to like them more and more as I look at them.
Check out the horn if you have a chance. It makes a wonderful addition to the already extensive selection of professional euphoniums on the market.