Euphonium Comparison: Adams Sonic Non-Compensating vs. Adams E1 Compensating

Adams Brass (Netherlands / Holland) recently came out with a high-quality 4-valve non-compensating euphonium name "Sonic." It is essentially an E1 (a professional-level euphonium) but without the compensating system. Here is a comparison of the Sonic and the E1. It's important to note that the Sonic is about 2/3 the price of the E1. Part of this video was made at the Adams booth during the recent International Tuba-Euphonium Conference 2023 in Tempe, Arizona.

[@tubadylan]

Interesting comparison. Thanks for the video, David!

[@lvtuba]

It has a true pedal Bb available since there is more combined tubing than a compensating horn

[@seth094978]

That's only if you opt for the 5 valve version (which seems like a good idea if getting a non-comp horn)

[@thomasrice4078]

Very interesting! I've known for many years that a great horn won't give me the talent I lack. But I can dream.....

[@peterbannon]

Please discuss valve stroke (up and down) adjustment for optimal performance

[@massmanute]

I thought that the Sonic sounded a tiny bit brighter, but they were close. Anyway. brighter is not necessarily bad from my point of view.

[@dwerden]

I agree with both statements. It's not necessarily bad, and I think the difference you hear is not a difference of models, but rather the difference between .55 and .60 thickness. There was not a .55 E1 on display, which would have made for a better comparison.

[@massmanute]

@@dwerden Thanks.

[@jamesmahan284]

I have been using the 4am European shank mouthpiece and need to keep the same rim size but need it for a tenor trombone shank, what is available for me? any suggestions, everything else I have tried with a tenor trombone shank has been very painful including the 12c; 6-1/2, and the 9BS, I really have not been able to play since 2016

[@dwerden]

Wick makes a small-shank version of the 4AM, which is the 4AY. That should do the trick!

[@keithshockley3443]

You mean the sonic the hedgehog euphonium? 😁😁😁😅😅

[@thallender]

Thanks for your video, Mr Dwerden

[@lvtuba]

Did you try the one with the 5th valve?

[@dwerden]

No. I would have if they had one on display, but as far as I know the 5-valve model is special order only.

[@lvtuba]

@@dwerden it also costs like 6300 from my personal research