When purchasing a used euphonium, be sure to check for external signs of wear and tear, as well as whether the instrument has three or four valves. Euphoniums can be compensating or non-compensating, with compensating euphoniums being considered superior. Another factor to consider when purchasing a euphonium is the finish, which can have an impact on the instrument’s tone.
The euphonium is a tuba-family brass instrument. The euphonium is thought to be very similar to the baritone, with the exception of the conical shape of the euphonium. The tubing system on a baritone is completely cylindrical, whereas euphonium tubes become wider, like a cone. The euphonium’s deeper sound is comparable to the cello in a traditional symphony orchestra. The player vibrates his or her lips to produce sound on the instrument.
External signs of damage should be checked on any used euphonium. Used instruments have previously belonged to someone else and may be in poor condition as a result. The buyer should test the valves on the instrument if there are no obvious signs of damage. Stiff valves indicate that the instrument has either not been oiled enough or has been pressed down incorrectly on a regular basis.
When a player blows into the instrument, valves change the pitch of the note produced. When purchasing a used euphonium, the buyer should look at the number of valves on the instrument. Euphoniums with three and four valves are available, with four valves being preferred. The instrument’s intonation, or fine-tuning, is assisted the fourth valve. The four valves can be grouped together or separated so that one can be operated with the left hand of the player.
The euphonium’s lower notes have a tendency to be sharp, which means they’re a little too high pitched. The fourth valve helps to compensate for this, but looking for a compensating valve when purchasing a used euphonium is a good idea. Both compensating and non-compensating euphoniums can have four valves, but compensating euphoniums have an additional length of tubing for pitch correction. Buyers should find out whether the instrument is compensating or non-compensating before purchasing it.
On a used euphonium, there are two possible finishes. A silver-plated finish is the most common, and it produces a bright, treble-heavy sound with good response. A lacquer finish is another option, which has a slightly duller tone and a slightly delayed response. If at all possible, buyers who are concerned about the tone of the instrument should try it out.