Willson 2900 euph with a large receiver?

Dean · Post by **Dean** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 9:36 pm

Anyone seen one? Know if they are made?

I have heard rumors that they were made, though I have seen nothing official. Any links/confirmation would be great!

JTJ · Post by **JTJ** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 10:21 pm

Highams has confirmed that the 2900s sold in the UK and, I assume, outside the USA in general, have the large receiver. My sense is that the euro shank is strickly a North American configuration.

On a thread back in February he wrote:

"All the 2900's in the UK have the large ones as standard, it really opens up the instrument!"

RyanMcGeorge · Post by **RyanMcGeorge** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 10:55 pm

I thought that was a Japanese thing...

Dean · Post by **Dean** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 10:57 pm

Welp, wherever it is... I want one.

RyanMcGeorge · Post by **RyanMcGeorge** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 10:58 pm

Ask Dr. Bowman, he would probably know.

Dean · Post by **Dean** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 11:00 pm

Is there any "technical" advantage to the middle "european" receiver size?

All I can see is it takes a great horn and severely limits our mouthpiece selection pool....

Al · Post by Al » Sun Nov 12, 2006 11:12 pm

I purchased my Willson 2900S from Mathews Musical Instruments in the Netherlands. When it arrived, I saw it had a large receiver but was otherwise identical to the US version of the instrument. The people at DEG said the US instruments were supplied with the European receiver because of "consumer preferences".

RyanMcGeorge · Post by **RyanMcGeorge** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 11:16 pm

I can't really speak for Willson, I've never been a fan, but I have a hirsbrunner with the interchangable reciever and I actually prefer the medium reciever. I think it allows for a sweeter, more focused sound. The only time I use the large reciever is when I just want more power, it's easier to play a little louder, but I don't think the sound is as characteristic. It's a trade-off I rarely make, but again, I can't speak for the Willson.

Highams · Post by **Highams** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 2:53 am

The 2900 in the UK has had the large receiver since day 1 in the UK.

I could never understand why it was not fitted in the US. I have played several American 2900's and the smaller receiver really restricts the sound & volume on such a large bore instrument.

Tom, for reference, the 2900 & 2950 are totally different instruments, in bore, bell and taper.

Later this week, Mike Kilroy in the UK will be added to the list of Willson artists on the 2950.

CB

RyanMcGeorge · Post by **RyanMcGeorge** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 8:58 am

The large shank 2900 and 2950 are really not all that different. The only difference is bell size. (Which does make a big difference) but the bore is the same and the reciever is also the same.

http://www.willsonbrass.com/willson.php ... rchType=42

Rick F · Post by **Rick F** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 10:08 am

Ryan wrote:The large shank 2900 and 2950 are really not all that different. The only difference is bell size. (Which does make a big difference) but the bore is the same and the receiver is also the same.

I'm puzzled by that link. I think there is a mistake there. The 2950 has been known to be a bigger bore throughout the instrument. As shown in the link below (but as OD or outside diameter), the 2950 has a bore of 640/680 vs the 2900's bore of 630/670.

See this link:
http://www.thomann.de/gb/willson_compen ... 1a7fbfde48

There is a 2905 model that closely matches that of the 2900, but will less bottom bow protection and a little cheaper. Also, a 2955 which is similar to the 2950 but with a bit less protection.

Highams · Post by **Highams** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 10:26 am

Yes indeed, Rick is correct, there seems to be a lot of literature around stating that the 2900/2950 are the same bore, totally incorrect.

CB

oldbandnerd · Post by **oldbandnerd** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 4:27 pm

The 2975 can be bought in the US fitted with a larg shank reciever :
http://www.willsonbrass.com/willson.php ... rchType=42

JTJ · Post by **JTJ** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 9:57 pm

The 2925 was bloke's joke.

JTJ · Post by **JTJ** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 10:31 pm

If I were DEG, I would at least import the large receiver version of the 2900 as a special order item. There is no reason it could not be sold in the US. Doing so might actually grow market share for Willson (assuming, of course, they could grow production). The smaller receiver setup is less "consumer preferences" than the particular choice of one or two very influential performers. It produces a distinctive sound, almost always recognizable when heard, which has become a de facto standard among certain American musicians.

But the American euphonium practice is growing beyond the DC band roots. Brass bands are more and more popular. The wonderful, singing, English euphonium sound has become known to us, if only through recordings, in the last decade or two. The market for high end euphoniums is stronger than ever. Players want more options, especially with mouthpieces. A more open, free blowing 2900, with the huge array of mouthpiece choices available in the large receiver, can only be good for Willson in the American market.

JTJ · Post by **JTJ** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 2:06 pm

Joke in the sense you made up the model number "2925", not Willson.

JTJ · Post by **JTJ** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 9:28 am

My apologies for misunderstanding. I rather liked 2925, and thought it was numerically a cool distinction to make.

JTJ · Post by **JTJ** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 12:28 pm

The large shank 2900s are now a reality in the USA. I just played one for an hour, using an SM3, at The Tuba Exchange. I liked it and bought it. The only complaint are the stiff valves of a new horn.

Same general Willson sound, but it plays much more open than the medium shank 2900 (which, for me, always played like someone stuffed a sock in it). And, for me, it also sounded more open than the medium shank 2900 -- a little more cantabile, a little less massive, no tubbyness at all. Definitely a euphonium as opposed to a tenor tuba.

No technical issues. Slots well, plays in tune, the very high range is secure.

It's a sweet horn.

John

Highams · Post by **Highams** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 5:50 pm

Great news John, glad it worked out for you.

The upper register improvement was what I noticed most of all when I got the new 2900 in Dec. 2004 (over my 10 year old model).

CB