I just got my Mack euphonium and I am very impressed. I have to admit I've never been overly enthused by the tuba's closest relative but this horn might make me change my mind.
Tom was very good to deal with and was very meticulous about what he sends. Mack Brass is highly recommended.
Sincerely,
Tom Gregory
adjunct instructor of tuba/music theory
Rhode Island College/Narragansett Brass Quintet
Community College of Rhode Island
Kudos to Mack Brass
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oldbandnerd
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Re: Kudos to Mack Brass
I was at Tom McGradys home this past Sunday just to play test his euphonium. I would like to use this thread to leave a short review of it. Please keep in mind that I was comparing his euph. to my Boosey&Hawkes Imperial. It is a very heavy horn made of top quality,very thick brass and has a very heavy coat of silver. My Imperial is a very dark horn and I have a preference for that type of sound. While it has its own intonation quirks is a bit stuffy in the lower notes to me it is a really great playing horn. If I could afford to do so I would be playing on a Willson 2900.
Tom McGradys Jinbao made Mack Brass euph is overall a very fine playing and sounding horn. The intonation is very even from pedal B natural to Bb above the staff. It never seemed to waiver more than 5cents off from top to bottom. It is a very easy playing horn.It blows freely and had none of the stuffiness that I am accustom to in my Imperial. The tone is rich,full and leans more towards the darker side of the spectrum much like my Imperial. I have found more popular horns like the King 2280,Yamaha 321,Weril H980, Jupiter 470L ( all 4 valve non-compensating) to be more on the bright side. The silver finish looked very good but I would not rank it as high as what Yamaha does with their horns. The finish was even.well polished with no blemishes or spots missed. The case is basically a very rugged styrofoam that has been covered with a very nice felt lining. It is covered on the outside with a heavy nylon. It has a handle and backpack type straps. I do have a prejudice towards this case as I bought one just like it for my own horn and am very satisifed with it.
The overall construction seemed to be excellent. I looked carfully at the solder joints and such for sloppy workmanship and signs of the build being rushed or of poor quality and could not find any. All slides fit well and pulled freely and valves had no issues that I could find. The positon of the 4th valve was a little higher up than on my Imperial but I found that to be comfortable. The horn has some weight and heft to it which to me means they used a thicker brass. This will aslo add to the darkness of the sound .
At $800 I really don't think you can go wrong with this. It's a great alternative to the more expensive pro level models. I would have killed to have had something like this when I was in school and would happily play one of these if I didn't have my Imperial. I brought a friend of mine to play test these with me and he has bought one to replace the KING 2280 that he currently plays.
Many thanks to Tom McGrady for giving up some of his time this past Sunday and letting my friend and I come over and rummage through his horns. Best of luck to you and I will reccomend you to anyone who asks me.
Tom McGradys Jinbao made Mack Brass euph is overall a very fine playing and sounding horn. The intonation is very even from pedal B natural to Bb above the staff. It never seemed to waiver more than 5cents off from top to bottom. It is a very easy playing horn.It blows freely and had none of the stuffiness that I am accustom to in my Imperial. The tone is rich,full and leans more towards the darker side of the spectrum much like my Imperial. I have found more popular horns like the King 2280,Yamaha 321,Weril H980, Jupiter 470L ( all 4 valve non-compensating) to be more on the bright side. The silver finish looked very good but I would not rank it as high as what Yamaha does with their horns. The finish was even.well polished with no blemishes or spots missed. The case is basically a very rugged styrofoam that has been covered with a very nice felt lining. It is covered on the outside with a heavy nylon. It has a handle and backpack type straps. I do have a prejudice towards this case as I bought one just like it for my own horn and am very satisifed with it.
The overall construction seemed to be excellent. I looked carfully at the solder joints and such for sloppy workmanship and signs of the build being rushed or of poor quality and could not find any. All slides fit well and pulled freely and valves had no issues that I could find. The positon of the 4th valve was a little higher up than on my Imperial but I found that to be comfortable. The horn has some weight and heft to it which to me means they used a thicker brass. This will aslo add to the darkness of the sound .
At $800 I really don't think you can go wrong with this. It's a great alternative to the more expensive pro level models. I would have killed to have had something like this when I was in school and would happily play one of these if I didn't have my Imperial. I brought a friend of mine to play test these with me and he has bought one to replace the KING 2280 that he currently plays.
Many thanks to Tom McGrady for giving up some of his time this past Sunday and letting my friend and I come over and rummage through his horns. Best of luck to you and I will reccomend you to anyone who asks me.
