From the web.... Paul Riggett originally founded Sterling Musical Instruments in 1987 having previously worked as production manager for Boosey & Hawkes.
With an intimate knowledge of production techniques and an expansive knowledge of brass instrument manufacture, Sterling Musical Instruments and a small team led by Paul quickly established themselves as a household name within the British brass band community.
Up for sale is a beautiful late 80s, maybe early 90s, British Sterling Pre-Virtuoso Euphonium. This is a pro-level horn with the same bore as a Sovereign, this one sporting an 11.5 inch bell. The serial number of 1065S-752903 places it to the early years of the Sterling Company and it has the characteristic hexagonal finger buttons on valves 1-3 as well as the acute bends on the tubing descending from valves 1 and 3 to the slides below. The valves are smooth, fast and quiet with their factory delrin or nylon guides shown in the pictures at the link below.
As I believe in full disclosure, the following notes are specific to this horn. There is a slight compression of the bell part of the bugle into the more proximal tapered part of the bugle where the connector is. You can see it clearly in one of the pictures. Also the silver plating on these early Sterling horns was known to be variable per the Euphonium forum. Although all shined up it gleams and presents itself nicely, on close inspection you will note that the silver plating is worn in specific areas and on larger areas of the main bugle, presumably by player contact. I had this horn serviced years back by Lee Stofer (and had a spit valve added to the first valve slide) and he schooled me on how brass is pre-plated prior to the silver plating for best adhesion. He suspected something along these lines could be the case. When shined up the horn presents itself beautifully as much of the wear is on the player side of the horn.
Dave Werden is said to have played his totally amazing 1993 rendition of Concerto per Flicorno Basso https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IAt9rK6KKQ" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank on a Pre-Virtuoso like this (although his had a red brass bell) before he subsequently went to the Virtuoso as a Sterling performer. That speaks volumes regarding the capability of this horn in the right hands.
My asking price is $2200. Like my other euphonium up for sale currently on Tubenet, I will pay the packing and shipping to the lower 48 CONUS if the asking price is met. If there is no action in a few weeks I will entertain offers. Thanks very much for looking. Pictures can be found at
https://imgur.com/a/b2DJsRQ" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank
SOLD Late 80s British Sterling Pre-Virtuoso Euphonium
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This forum is for buying or selling your personal equipment. Sponsored selling is allowed as well. All ads are required to have the following information: Price (even for trades), brand, model, and location (City and State, for instruments, not accessories). It is acceptable to link to an external ad if you are promoting a sale of your personal equipment. No Ebay auctions, but "Buy It Now" listings are fine. Photos are HIGHLY suggested as well, and may be hosted on Google Drive, or elsewhere. If you see an ad that does not meet these criteria, please report it.
This forum is for buying or selling your personal equipment. Sponsored selling is allowed as well. All ads are required to have the following information: Price (even for trades), brand, model, and location (City and State, for instruments, not accessories). It is acceptable to link to an external ad if you are promoting a sale of your personal equipment. No Ebay auctions, but "Buy It Now" listings are fine. Photos are HIGHLY suggested as well, and may be hosted on Google Drive, or elsewhere. If you see an ad that does not meet these criteria, please report it.
- Worth
- 3 valves
- Posts: 451
- Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2013 7:44 am
SOLD Late 80s British Sterling Pre-Virtuoso Euphonium
Last edited by Worth on Wed May 27, 2020 4:05 am, edited 2 times in total.
2014 Wisemann 900 with Laskey 30H
~1980 Cerveny 4V CC Piggy
1935 Franz Schediwy BBb
1968 Conn 2J (thinking of selling)
~1980 Cerveny 4V CC Piggy
1935 Franz Schediwy BBb
1968 Conn 2J (thinking of selling)
- tbonesullivan
- 4 valves
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- Location: New Jersey
Re: FS Late 80s British Sterling Pre-Virtuoso Euphonium $220
That's a great horn, and a great price! A true British compensating horn. I love my Sterling, which is one of the "Perantucci" import models.
Yamaha YBB-631S BBb Tuba, B&H Imperial Eb Tuba, Sterling / Perantucci 1065GHS Euphonium
Yamaha YBL-621 RII Bass Trombone and a bunch of other trombones
Yamaha YBL-621 RII Bass Trombone and a bunch of other trombones
- Worth
- 3 valves
- Posts: 451
- Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2013 7:44 am
Re: FS Late 80s British Sterling Pre-Virtuoso Euphonium $220
Pre Ebay bump
2014 Wisemann 900 with Laskey 30H
~1980 Cerveny 4V CC Piggy
1935 Franz Schediwy BBb
1968 Conn 2J (thinking of selling)
~1980 Cerveny 4V CC Piggy
1935 Franz Schediwy BBb
1968 Conn 2J (thinking of selling)
- Worth
- 3 valves
- Posts: 451
- Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2013 7:44 am
Re: FS Late 80s British Sterling Pre-Virtuoso Euphonium $220
Bump
2014 Wisemann 900 with Laskey 30H
~1980 Cerveny 4V CC Piggy
1935 Franz Schediwy BBb
1968 Conn 2J (thinking of selling)
~1980 Cerveny 4V CC Piggy
1935 Franz Schediwy BBb
1968 Conn 2J (thinking of selling)
- iiipopes
- Utility Infielder
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- Joined: Tue Sep 06, 2005 1:10 am
Re: FS Late 80s British Sterling Pre-Virtuoso Euphonium $220
Speaking of Dave Werden, have you advertised the Euph on his forum?
Jupiter JTU1110
"Real" Conn 36K
"Real" Conn 36K
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Re: FS Late 80s British Sterling Pre-Virtuoso Euphonium $220
I am so interested in this horn, while I do no immediately have the funds to meet your price I will get on to it!Worth wrote:From the web.... Paul Riggett originally founded Sterling Musical Instruments in 1987 having previously worked as production manager for Boosey & Hawkes.
With an intimate knowledge of production techniques and an expansive knowledge of brass instrument manufacture, Sterling Musical Instruments and a small team led by Paul quickly established themselves as a household name within the British brass band community.
Up for sale is a beautiful late 80s, maybe early 90s, British Sterling Pre-Virtuoso Euphonium. This is a pro-level horn with the same bore as a Sovereign, this one sporting an 11.5 inch bell. The serial number of 1065S-752903 places it to the early years of the Sterling Company and it has the characteristic hexagonal finger buttons on valves 1-3 as well as the acute bends on the tubing descending from valves 1 and 3 to the slides below. The valves are smooth, fast and quiet with their factory delrin or nylon guides shown in the pictures at the link below.
As I believe in full disclosure, the following notes are specific to this horn. There is a slight compression of the bell part of the bugle into the more proximal tapered part of the bugle where the connector is. You can see it clearly in one of the pictures. Also the silver plating on these early Sterling horns was known to be variable per the Euphonium forum. Although all shined up it gleams and presents itself nicely, on close inspection you will note that the silver plating is worn in specific areas and on larger areas of the main bugle, presumably by player contact. I had this horn serviced years back by Lee Stofer (and had a spit valve added to the first valve slide) and he schooled me on how brass is pre-plated prior to the silver plating for best adhesion. He suspected something along these lines could be the case. When shined up the horn presents itself beautifully as much of the wear is on the player side of the horn.
Dave Werden is said to have played his totally amazing 1993 rendition of Concerto per Flicorno Basso https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IAt9rK6KKQ" target="_blank" target="_blank on a Pre-Virtuoso like this (although his had a red brass bell) before he subsequently went to the Virtuoso as a Sterling performer. That speaks volumes regarding the capability of this horn in the right hands.
My asking price is $2200. Like my other euphonium up for sale currently on Tubenet, I will pay the packing and shipping to the lower 48 CONUS if the asking price is met. If there is no action in a few weeks I will entertain offers. Thanks very much for looking. Pictures can be found at
https://imgur.com/a/b2DJsRQ" target="_blank" target="_blank
- Worth
- 3 valves
- Posts: 451
- Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2013 7:44 am
Re: FS Late 80s British Sterling Pre-Virtuoso Euphonium $220
Thanks very much for the interest
I'm taking the price down to $2000. on this one with the same shipping offer CONUS. I used to have a presence years back on Dave Werden's forum when I was more euphonium centered, but haven't been there for quite some time and it feels awkward to just go back there to try and sell something. I'll keep it here for the time being as I know many euphonium forum members also check Tubenet from time to time. No rush in selling and I'm keeping them off eBay for the time being.

2014 Wisemann 900 with Laskey 30H
~1980 Cerveny 4V CC Piggy
1935 Franz Schediwy BBb
1968 Conn 2J (thinking of selling)
~1980 Cerveny 4V CC Piggy
1935 Franz Schediwy BBb
1968 Conn 2J (thinking of selling)
- Worth
- 3 valves
- Posts: 451
- Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2013 7:44 am
Re: SOLD Late 80s British Sterling Pre-Virtuoso Euphonium
This sold to a very happy and grateful HS Senior pursuing a career in music. I came down on the price, he got a great deal and I got the good vibes. Thanks Tubenet
2014 Wisemann 900 with Laskey 30H
~1980 Cerveny 4V CC Piggy
1935 Franz Schediwy BBb
1968 Conn 2J (thinking of selling)
~1980 Cerveny 4V CC Piggy
1935 Franz Schediwy BBb
1968 Conn 2J (thinking of selling)