I am convinced that the Willson 2975 is such a completely different instrument that you can't even begin to compare it to either the 2900 or 2950. In the 10 years that I've attended TUSAB-TEC, the one instrument that always tempts me with the SOUND and intonation is the 2975. It has a combination of richness and LIFE to the sound that I haven't encountered in any other euphonium. If it were not for my tendonitis and my being so firmly entrenched with the 3+1 valve setup, I would have bought one years ago.
Very interesting...just goes to show you how two different people came away with differing opinions in comparing two horns. Having given my opinion extolling how much I loved the 2975's sound, I do admit that my only experiences with them over the past 10 years have been in the elephant room at TUSAB-TEC. Hardly an ideal testing environment, however, these instruments were the only ones I've ever played under these conditions that were so overwhelmingly (for me) superior to everything else in the room, which ususually included the top models from all of the manufacturers. I wish the 2975 had a piston arrangement like this very unique Laetzsch euphonium (the Laetzsch has rotary valves, but you get the idea):
Joe, The reason you are reworking that O-99 is that someone wanted my Marzan a whole lot more than I did. I had a 2975 lead pipe installed as the original was long gone by the time I got it. That solved the shank problem. I am glad mine is gone. I don't play much Euph and I would much rather have my 2280 and the Olds tuba than just the Marzan Euph. They do have a wonderful timbre though.
I am fortunate to have a great job that feeds my family well, but music feeds my soul.
bloke wrote:....I think I could rig up a nice r.h. thumb-operated (spring loaded lever) gadget to move the main slide.
Not thumb-operated. But, nice.....
Dan Schultz
"The Village Tinker" http://www.thevillagetinker.com" target="_blank
Current 'stable'... Rudolf Meinl 5/4, Marzan (by Willson) euph, King 2341, Alphorn, and other strange stuff.
bloke wrote:.... - I'm jealous of the cosmetic condition of the Marzan in Dan's pictures, and the trigger has an elegant appearance, but it
* seems no more easy to use than the factory-installed ring,
* is single-action sprung (not self-centering), and therefore
* features a default position with the main slide all the way in which (with most Marzan instruments, including my euphonium) is very sharp to A=440.
I agree. But... it shore is purty!
I like the concept of the 'pullable' main slides on the Marzan horns. But, it's a shame that he didn't take it a step further and put TWO main slides on the horn.... one that could be used to tune the bugle and left.... and another that could be pulled. Funny story about the origin of the 'pullable' slide on the Marzan horns.... I've gathered opinions from many folks since I began gathering research material for that web page. One fellow suggested that the 'pullable' main slide was actually an afterthought because the intonation of the CC tubas was 'not so good'. The story-teller further suggested that Fred spent well over a year at the Bohm & Meinl factory and simply ran out of time to 'get it right'. Given some more time for the development might have resulted in a great horn instead of just an acceptable one. It's no secret that truly great horns are either 'accidents' or the product of many years of prototyping. Sounds reasonable to me!
Dan Schultz
"The Village Tinker" http://www.thevillagetinker.com" target="_blank
Current 'stable'... Rudolf Meinl 5/4, Marzan (by Willson) euph, King 2341, Alphorn, and other strange stuff.
Dan Schultz
"The Village Tinker" http://www.thevillagetinker.com" target="_blank
Current 'stable'... Rudolf Meinl 5/4, Marzan (by Willson) euph, King 2341, Alphorn, and other strange stuff.
