Posted by Kristian on January 27, 2001 at 18:54:20:
In Reply to: Compensating Systems on Tubas posted by Tom B. on January 26, 2001 at 18:45:08:
All this talk about compensating systems on tubas has had me wondering about the need for automatic compensating systems on the euphonium.
If you look at the new Besson Prestige you will see that it has the compensating system plus a trigger on the main slide.
So my question goes: If you have a trigger on the main slide (and you make it long enough) will you be needing a compensating system ?
On the euphonium we don't play very much in the low register so the compensating system would only be used on (24) (14) combinations. So in my oppinion you could actually benefit from making a euphonium without compensation (but with a trigger on the main slide): shorter/lighter valves = faster valves , lighter instrument, simpel construction (cheaper), less stuffines in 4. valve register.
Is the compensating euphonium the only way to make a "pro" euphonium ?
It looks a bit to me like compensating = proffesional, non-compensating = student (in our minds).
Am I wrong ?