My Favourite Euphonium - The 'Round Stamp' Sovereign

[@trezmen]

My name is Trent, your name is Trent. You play euphonium, I’ve been playing euphonium for about a decade. That’s kinda of cool

[@alextravers]

I play euphonium too 😁

[@hiiexist479]

You gotta be careful your life could be copyright claimed

[@SammyBoe]

Trent's main instrument is the bass trombone.

[@theafellacomposer]

@@SammyBoe Some say it's cornet, but I see him play bass Trombone in his rehearsal video, and euphonium on a couple of band performance videos, but I do notice that he has a very Trombonesque sound when he plays low brass instruments like this one--compared to Matoniz's horn-like sound when he plays euph. But one thing for sure, he's not much of a French Horn player himself.

[@vtec.5ucks]

euph gang 💪

[@jacobcasas5565]

This is a very special euphonium to me, this was the type of horn I played through High School. My school only has one Compensating Euphonium, which is a lacquered B&H Round Stamp Euphonium. I got moved to it freshman year, and loved it. This horn was definitely in rough shape for being in school use for +40 years, and it did play a little weird, but it was the best sounding euphonium I have ever played/heard. It had the warmest and sweetest sound of anything I have ever played.

[@Theo1505]

Beautiful tone.

[@lividphysics1237]

Indeed

[@samrodian919]

I've not played a Euphonium since 1972 when I had to give up playing because of work demands. I stared playing the Euphonium in 1967 at school and carried on in a B section band in the British National brass band championship. My band director was my school music teacher and he played in the top level championship section of his band ( Newham Brass Band) unfortunately my work as an apprentice church organ builder could take me all over Britain without much notice, and that clashed with regular band practices too often. So reluctantly I gave up playing. Listening to you playing that beautiful instrument brings back very fond memories. I just love the tone of the Euphonium, and always have. It's tonal output is second only to the French horn in my eyes ( and ears lol) the French horn was another level in difficulty to me anyway and the playing differences I could never reconcile with the other piston brass instruments. I just wasn't good enough I suppose. But it's really great to hear you playing that Boosey and Hawkes round medal superb instrument. So thank you for taking me back to another nicer time!

[@raymondwang3110]

My current main instrument, just love it! No trigger, but flexible enough to bend the pitches in tune. Old but gold :)

[@aftertheelectrike1847]

It sounds like absolute heaven, honestly!

[@kameronpeterson3601]

all in the name

[@aftertheelectrike1847]

@@kameronpeterson3601 ?

[@tko5019]

Euphonium quite literally means beautiful sound.

[@jobelthecoolkid]

hey trent, i noticed you have what looks like a koenig horn on your wall under your french horn. ive never actually heard a decent recording of one of those or even seen one in person, so could you please do a video on one?

[@TrentHamilton]

It’s not a Koenig horn, sadly.

[@jobelthecoolkid]

@@TrentHamilton i know my reply is late, but what is it? it is very odd looking.

[@LOLbutGaming]

@@jobelthecoolkid I believe it's a Mellophonium if we're talking about the same thing, sorry I'm 2 years late lol

[@thetato1273]

Would very much love to meet you trent! Thanks for the amazing video

[@chrisdyer9401]

I've just purchased a later (1990's) Sovereign that's not a round stamp but a B&H Besson Sovereign. It's the perfect euphonium for me matched with a Dennis Wick 4AL mouthpiece it sounds fantastic. Great video and loads of information. Thanks

[@jamesburnett7085]

The musical excerpt at the beginning of this program is glorious. Thank you.

[@Matt-no7gg]

Misread the thumbnail as "my new bee" so that's nice

[@Matt-no7gg]

@Valin Gabriel Yes

[@rogermwilcox]

0:56 ... sorry, I can't hear you, some jerk is playing a brass instrument over your voice. Some people are so inconsiderate.

[@felipethonphlop3327]

what?

[@kbroadey]

Great choice! I’ve recently got one from 1976, having found my 1992 968 a bit disappointing. The valve gutter is a must! I love the way the entire instrument reverberates when you’re pushing a big amount of air through it. It really sings!

[@peterdeboer9620]

I have a 3 valve compensating B & H round stamp, Sovereign euphonium. It is very fine, and I don't miss the extra plumbing.

[@12345Nicholas]

My favorite Euphonium model

[@peterdeboer5373]

I have a 1980 3 valve compensating round stamp. It does not leak water. Plays very well and in tune, too.

[@realguy5066]

A TON of information... I had to watch twice. Another great show, Trent!!

[@clee1985]

I just bought a round stamp baritone. I love it more than anything I've ever played. Prestige, sovereign, York, neo. Forget them all. My band has a round stamp euph too. It's a ripper! It doesn't quite compete with what top level banding requires, but for everything else, it's perfect. Sorry for the essay.

[@averyonco2434]

Hey Trent, Another Amazing Video! I use to play the Euphonium It was extraordinary Just extraordinary I Personally love all Brass Instruments and Keep up the Great work!

[@doxilee2733]

Oh Jesus I'm late to another fantastic video of yours Trent.

[@Ange22585]

That euph sounds really good. You make a good point; there isn’t really a perfect instrument, but there is an instrument that’s perfect for you. I love my round stamp Eb tenor horn and I know it is the envy of others in the band.

[@TheJH1015]

I have one of these too, made in 1979. I love the ease I can go through the range of the instrument with, I love the sound, and I love the quickness of the valves. Response is stuffier than my Willson 2960TA, but that also mean I can't slack off with my air support. Only downside is intonation at high F and G (roughly 40 cents sharp) but I can handle that fine with alternate fingerings. Brilliant instruments, built like a tank and can handle so much abuse it's not even funny.

[@TheJH1015]

@Simon Phillips Agreed. One time a fellow band member accidentally knocked over mine and there wasn't even a SCRATCH on it, or any kind of dent. And agreed, especially with a euphonium, sound is everything. Intonation can be fixed with alternate fingerings, lipping down/up or, at the most extreme cases, by installing a trigger system (Which most of the time isn't THAT necessary either). I've always found Prestiges to sound a bit bright compared to the Round Stamps.

[@TheJH1015]

@Simon Phillips Yup, came in that case! Stored it somewhere though because I just carry it around in my gig bag xD

[@matthewsaxman1028]

The background music while you talked about the instrument was really distracting. I get it (let's put a nice recording during the talking so the video isn't so long)... but I don't like it. Great instrument and video!

[@HaliPuppeh]

The tone of that euphonium is stellar! So warm and rich.

[@mrdonut1533]

I heard that slavishe fantasy in the background lol

[@RaichuEnjoy]

I use a conn 15I non compensating 3 valve front action euphonium

[@emelingrace4186]

Beautiful! Perfect combination of instrument and musician.

[@deonyates5788]

Totally agree. One of the best euphoniums I've played.

[@Uuuuuuurrgggggghhhhh]

This euphonium is my "daily driver". Not as pristine as yours, it still manages to create a absolute stunning sound, even when compared to the Adams euphoniums that my other bandmates use. This is an euphonium you should pick up if you have the opprtunity to do it.

[@afloatingpineapple6170]

You could do a video playing all of the instruments in your background :)

[@korritaranis672]

Nice horn. I play its grandpappy. A Boosey & Co (not sure of model name) with a Hawkes & Sons mouthpiece from around 1907, and I love the tone it produces.

[@lonnyyoung4285]

It sounded absolutely wonderful.

[@jamesroskam7266]

Trent, thank you for this presentation of the B & H Sovereign round stamp euphonium. I have the opportunity to get one in silver plate, large shank, that looks to be in great shape, although I have not tried it or seen it hands-on. It appears to date to around 1979-80. I also have the opportunity to get a Besson 968 in silver plate also with large shank, probably manufactured about 1987. My use would probably be mainly in church solo and small ensemble work. While some Yamaha 642 horns (pre-Neo) are also avaialble, I lean toward the B&H or Besson because of the many comments I've read about their sound and their valves. While trombone is my main instrument, I also learned to play the euphonium but have never owned my own horn. Please share any advice you might have. To play either of the horns mentioned above, I would have to fly to other cities, which I am willing to do if I feel it is worthwhile. Thank you for your thoughtful opinions on my question.

[@TrentHamilton]

I've played both extensively, and much prefer to B&H over any 968 I've ever played

[@jamesroskam7266]

Trent, for the B & H Sovereign 1) Is there any problem getting replacement parts? 2) Are there available original hard cases that you know of? Jim R.

[@12345Nicholas]

I been playing one for 30+ year's

[@himynameisbass3581]

Hey Trent! I’ve been watching your videos for years, and have enjoyed tons of your reviews and overviews of instruments and their history. There’s this very entry level flugelhorn called the Allora AAFG-103F and it has wonderful written reviews but no honest video reviews. If you could ever get around to making a review of it that would be awesome!

[@samandriano52]

You have found your horn!

[@smpd357sig]

Love that intro.

[@michaelshelley1289]

i give you a thumbs up for playing with facial hair....it's very tricky!!!! you sound wonderful. My baritone (euphonium) is over 80 years old and i would LOVE to hear you play it!!!

[@colelmore]

Just wondering if you have tried any of the new Eastman euphoniums? I know they are chinese made, but I have played some of their Tubas and they are amongst the best I have ever played. I have heard great things about there euphoniums and tubas in person from Matt Van Emmerik, Tim Buzbee and my Tuba professor Jeff Baker.

[@colelmore]

Nice looking euphonium! It also sounds like it really fits you compared to other euphoniums I have seen you play on video.

[@danielh6582]

I like the badinerie in the background!

[@Soccerfan133]

Tuning slide trigger on the 2051/52 is such a nice thing to have. You need to try the newer horns to understand haha, I love mine

[@ka0qeo]

Love your comments

[@Geoff_Tuba_UK]

I believe that Boosey & Hawkes closed their UK manufacturing facility at Edgeware Road, London, around the year 2000. That land was sold. All instrument manufacture then moved to continental Europe, branded as Besson. Not sure how much Besson still manufacture brass instruments, but I am led to believe that they no-longer make tubas, but these are made for them by B&S in Germany. Those people that I know say that 1970s and 1980s were a golden age at B&H Edgware. I have a 1982 ('ish) Eb bass tuba 782 model (nee Imperial) and its blows extremely well. For sure, its shows signs of its age, but so do I.

[@TheJH1015]

B&S, Besson, Courtois etc are all under Buffet crampon now and made in the same factory in Markneukirchen in Germany where B&S used to be, so... yes and no? XD they're all still seperate brands under one big umbrella, and manufacture their own instruments

[@ay5x]

yess a new video. I’m a trombonist in 8th grade. Ever seince i got braces, I can’t play like really high notes. Any tips?

[@skyhunter2k]

Do percussion lol

[@tylerbarnestb]

Practice

[@TheJH1015]

Practice with the aim of keeping as little pressure on your lips as possible to prevent your braces from digging into them, thereby limiting vibration of your lips a lot.

[@ay5x]

TheJH1015 thx dude i’ll try

[@Soccerfan133]

1) braces will always hold you back to a point. 2) if you played higher notes by using too much pressure on your face, braces expose that. 3) use faster air, smaller aperture, less pressure on the face. It’s harder but the right way to go

[@alexcarter8807]

It's been cold in my area (which is great, it scares the other buskers off!) and foggy, and I've had to blow moisture out like crazy.

[@mrdonut1533]

Do you still conduct Salvation Army?

[@TrentHamilton]

Yes

[@paulgeorgesanpedro4939]

Yay, more content.

[@dragonxev1144]

Hello Trent, I was wondering if you’d know of any tips for euphonium players to learn quicker fingering. I know the notes, but I haven’t played euphonium long enough to get the quickness down. (I’ve been translating the fingerings from slide positions on a trombone of the same notes.) I’ve got a schools honor band coming up and I’m set to audition for both trombone and euphonium, so some tips would be greatly appreciated.

[@TrentHamilton]

Practice. There’s a part of the brain dedicated to learning patterns and it’s important to practice so that that part of the brain learns the patterns.

[@dragonxev1144]

Trent Hamilton i see, thank you so much

[@TheJH1015]

Scales. A LOT of scales. Also helps with sight reading in my experience because you know how each note sounds (and the equivalent valve combination).

[@antbroome1129]

Hey Trent, I was wondering if you would do a review on a Superbone, whether it be made by Holton or someone else. I’m already aware of your thoughts on valve trombones but I’d be interested to see what you think about something like a superbone that can do both.

[@TrentHamilton]

I have no plans to buy one, sorry.

[@skraegorn7317]

Just recently traded my euphonium for a bass trombone, it was a beautiful 1990’s Yamah compensating model. I really wish I had the money to keep both. Some of my best memories are playing euphonium in high school band. If only the British brass band tradition was able to catch on well enough in the United States.

[@colekemp8449]

Hey Trent have you ever seen or heard of a Wurlitzer lyrical liberty cornet. I have one and am wondering the history behind it.

[@emperorofgaming8146]

What’s the music in the intro? I love that and love this video!

[@cscott5233]

could you do another video on your contrabass trombone, I really think it is amazing. also if you have any bagpipes available that would be nice.

[@thomasrice4078]

I have one! I did forget to get the talent to do it justice though.

[@peterwise143]

Nice background music!

[@thomaskayaks8393]

could you do a video on counting please? ive been playing for a while (6ish years) and my counting is STILL whats letting my playing down. Cheers, Thomas :)

[@mattildahubbardo]

Awesome video! I know this video is about a euphonium but, what is your main trumpet mouthpiece, and do you like the megatones?

[@neemiasmazzoco5258]

Nice video! Please, i'd like to know the name of first piece you play in the very beginning.

[@wagihero]

Hi, is your Besson the same of Boosey&Hawkes Imperal from 1975/1976?

[@alexcarter8807]

Someone on Reddit ... well, some Band students on Reddit ... took a lot of slides and stuff and made this sort of super-monster trumpet, have you ever considered doing something like that?

[@mrbigtbonevissoc]

I play on a borrowed Besson Sovereign, which I'd guess to be the generation after what you have there. It is the first "good" horn I've played on, so it would interesting to test against what you have there. I doubt I'd ever get the opportunity though. It does play tons better than the Pan American 1920s horn that I have. :-)

[@jakemontroy4079]

I’ve been looking for a reliable mouthpiece for concert playing (something that gives a dark tone quality) what would you recommend?

[@cadefogdall673]

Jake Montroy Steve Mead ultra 3, but make sure you get what suits you best and your chops determine tone the most

[@royalcat10]

A Denis Wick 4AL is a really good fit if you're looking for a darker tone quality. It definitely is probably the darkest and roundest sounding mouthpiece I've ever tried, almost to the point that it's *too* dark. It's got a pretty deep bowl, and a fairly wide and flat rim, with the throat and backbore so wide that makes blowing so effortless you would think it's a bass bone mouthpiece. It makes very open, round, and not very direct and in your face tone. It's about $70 USD. However, a Karl Hammond 11XL is my absolute favorite. It's about the same size as the DW4AL, and a much more focused tone. The only reason I wouldn't recommend it is because it is rather expensive. About $150 USD, a little more than twice as much as the DW4AL. If you do have the extra cash to spend on it, I would say that is the piece to get. Something to note is both of these are rather large mouthpieces. They're about the largest I would say that doesn't start to begin to be a Bass trombone mouthpiece. If you haven't got a tough embouchure, they will wear out your chops for the day very quick, and I would recommend getting something from the same line of products, but slightly smaller. But hey, the only way to toughen your chops is to take the plunge and fight through it. (For reference, they're both about the size as a Bach 4G. Going down a size to their equivalent of a 5G may be beneficial. DW5AL, and Karl Hammond 12XL.)

[@Soccerfan133]

SM4, or SM4U

[@cdarrinford]

Gooday Mate! How bout a comparison of cornet and flugelhorn. Supposedly a standard cornet and standard flugelhorn mouthpieces are the same taper. Play cornet with both mouthpieces and flugelhorn with both. Compare sound and intonation.

[@MatthiaGoedegebuur]

You should do a video about your favorite Brassband music/composer!

[@supersuckygamer2575]

Last time I was this early was ah nvm I'm never early

[@redicendia1355]

it sounds nice

[@yoooitsjackk2076]

Can you review a Schiller marching tuba? Thinking abt getting one and wondering if it’s any good. Any suggestions?

[@christophertsiliacos8958]

You should be proud as punch with that "absolute peach." 😊 ♫

[@roystone9932]

.............I love my vintage 1975 Imperial .

[@marcustorres8921]

Hey trent. BIIIIGGGG QUESTION. What is the best BUDGET-FRIENDLY and GOOD QUALITY.

[@countryboy145]

Can you do a review on a Prelude trombone

[@ZeldaACFan17]

I want a euphonium... I have played one, but not for long. What would you recommend for me? I don't have lots of money, so let's see if there's anything under... $1000 US?

[@ZeldaACFan17]

I'm from the US, if you didn't know

[@nicholasneyhart396]

Despite being a euphonium player, I can say their Eb tubas are beautiful.

[@johnspence5689]

Yo Trent, I have a question about my embochure on all brass instruments. I tend to play with an embochure that moves places on the mouthpiece depending on what range im using. The higher I play, the lower the mouthpiece is and vice versa for low. This is for all brass instruments from trumpet to tuba. And personally ive found that my embochure works best with trombones and baritones/euphoniums. And i also tend to have a great sounding low range all the way to the lowest pedal tones. The question us if i should learn to make my embochure stay in one place.

[@Soccerfan133]

Don’t move your embouchure. The easiest way to learn how to adjust is through an exercise like the arban interval studies. You don’t have time when you play harder music to adjust the position of the mouthpiece, and it also affects the fullness of your sound and tone. Strive for an embouchure that can play comfortably in the middle register, and stretch both high and low as you change your aperture and air speeds

[@jessstuart7495]

She's a keeper (Euphonium).

[@danieldo6432]

A much more strident sound from this horn, closer to a trombone. I play the trombone. I like 😎

[@liutfilip1966]

Wath cost ???

[@markwatkinson4440]

Does anyone know if there's any round stamp baritones? Ive got the gen of baritone after and im not the happiest with it. Thanks

[@TheJH1015]

They do exist, yes, but they are VERY hard to come by since they're not used as much as euphoniums. Same goes for alto/tenor horns and flugelhorns.

[@Soccerfan133]

Baritones are tough. I play on a besson prestige 2056 baritone and it sometimes makes me want to throw it off of a bridge. Compare that to my 2051 besson euph which is an absolute dream to play... yeah baritones are just tough sometimes... no guarantees the round stamp would be much better

[@christopheralvarado4544]

@@Soccerfan133 Yeah for Baritones I try to go for the Euoropean style ones.

[@Markworth]

@@christopheralvarado4544 Literally two completely different instruments.

[@bigcoop8442]

yo trent i march baritone and i’m switching to tuba in class. any tips on that?

[@ryanr5017]

Hey Trent do you know of any good 3 valve euphoniums? I’ve been searching and can’t find any!

[@Soccerfan133]

Ryan Rogers compensating systems with 4 valves are much much much more worth it to invest in.... I promise

[@sebas3407]

Where da euphonium players at?

[@skyhunter2k]

Yeet!

[@MaxRamos8]

Here, $850 but loads better than a student model

[@countryboy145]

I’m a very bad beginner in playing trombone You should do a video on how to know the difference between all the trombones and how to tell witch on is witch

[@riffraffradicalmarchingban4829]

All the trombones? Or all of Trents’? Or just his tenor bones?

[@countryboy145]

Riff Raff Radical Marching Band all

[@nyancs7098]

The mighty hutt city brass Woo

[@ifanketegan3692]

I'm from Indonesia, please subtitle Indonesia.. 🙏🏻🥺

[@eamonmcb8106]

Any good euphonium brands people recommend?

[@Soccerfan133]

Eamonmcb Besson, Adams, Wilson, And not Yamaha... seriously. They make jet skis, not euphoniums

[@TheJH1015]

@@Soccerfan133 The Yamaha Custom and Neo are great instruments. Their student and intermediate instruments are.... nyeehhhhh, only use them if nothing better is available I guess, but you can't go wrong on a Neo or Custom.

[@michaelbavarian]

Hey Trent, want to sell the instrument?

[@clementplath1292]

Why do some people refer to every wind instrument as a 'horn'? That what Americans do, and it grates! It takes no more breath to say 'trombone' or 'trumpet' or 'euphonium', unless the instrument is a 'flugel horn' or 'French horn'.

[@DHealey]

Background music is distracting (nice music but distracting)

[@wesleyrichards8027]

I play one of these. The old ones are great. Only downside are the metal guides. They are noisy.

[@cowtoes8676]

okay guys ready. 22nd

[@pauldelbravo9813]

Very interesting, but tiring to listen to due to constant music track under voice

[@ephronium]

i play euphonium

[@miraabuissa1127]

I just watched a fail vid and u were in it Sorry for that trumpet.......

[@cheeesecube_5611]

8th!

[@burkhardschneider3044]

The background music is nice, but distracting. Especially for peolple whose native language is not english, as for me, it becomes difficult to concentrate on your words. Beside of this: nice video about a nice instrument.

[@normanplombe2889]

Love your videos and your krazy kiwi accent....but the background music is a real distraction. Don't may me fly 12,000 miles to silence it!

[@gabrialtome4478]

It’s called a baritone!

[@Markworth]

Does Euphonium elitism know no bounds? It's a bleepin' full blown compensating British Euphonium.

[@lividphysics1237]

Second

[@Tri-tipTim]

I must say that listening to you speak over you playing is highly annoying 🙄