Posted by Jamin McPhetrige on August 29, 2002 at 16:25:00:
In Reply to: Hirsbrunner Euph. posted by John W. on August 28, 2002 at 09:18:00:
I just bought a Hirsbrunner Exclusive this summer after playing for four years on a Besson euphonium. I have found that Bessons tend to play primarily too dark in comparison to the developing American solo euphonium sound. I also had difficulty producing the necessary projection for ensemble playing. The Besson valves are not of the greatest quality these days either. However, I found that Boosey and Hawkes is good about supplying worn-out materials if you contact them.
The Hirsbrunner made my sound a tad brighter and allowed for excellent projection. The valves are very smooth and facilitate technical playing. By no means does Besson make an inferior euphonium - Demondrae Thurman recently got a new Prestige, and it plays absolutlely wonderfully. However, I tend to think that the Hirsbrunner suits the modern soloist better.