Re: Does anyone but me...


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Posted by Arul on November 23, 2001 at 15:18:49:

In Reply to: Does anyone but me... posted by js on November 23, 2001 at 11:19:23:

I have a 321 that I purchased new from Brasswind in 1984. It
served me well in high school (even through an audition where I was
asked several times why I didn't buy a Besson) and a bit of use in
college. I am strictly an amateur player and it's still my primary axe.

I borrowed an old Imperial for a semester or two in college, but I didn't
really see much of an improvement over my 321. This past summer my teacher
checked out a YEP-641 from the college for me to use over the summer.
At first I didn't really notice much of a difference, save for all the
extra air it required, but things got much better after about a month
or so.

The 641 played much better in the upper register, but was a bit stuffy
in the lower register. The valve action was a huge improvement over my 321.
Overall I did prefer the 641 to my non comp 321, and given a choice
I'd rather play the 641. As far as the compensating part goes, it
was nice to be able to play in the lower register without yanking slides,
but I could live without that part.

Someone should be able to make a nice large bore non-comp horn. One of my
other teachers has a Yamaha 621 that's now out of production and that
seemed like a great compromise (4th valve on the side, nice valve action).
I haven't tried the Weril or the newer 2280's. The 2280 I tried several
years ago wasn't so hot, but I've heard from more than one person locally
that the new ones are much improved.

Having said all of this, it's not something I worry about much. It was
kind of a drag going back to the smaller 321 after the summer was over. It
seems like I have to work harder on the 321 to get it to do what I want, but
it's not that big of a deal. I spend much more time trying to prepare
for my lessons than worryinng about what horn I'm using.

I would think that a pro trombone or tuba player who only occasionally doubles
on a euph would be pretty happy with a non comp horn like a 321 (or something
similar).

Just my opinion as a rank amateur player. I'm guessing a pro like you
Joe can size up a horn pretty quickly. It takes me weeks to get comfortable
with a horn. Say hi to Ryan Anthony for me the next time he's in the shop.

Regards,

Arul







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