Imperial Euphonium

[Highams]

Just finished servicing/cleaning an Imperial (in all but the bell) 4v compensating Euphonium dating around 1980 for a friend. It has the frosted matt finish that was popular then and has the smaller bell, simply engraved Made by Besson.

http://s91.photobucket.com/albums/k309/ ... ?start=all

I remember these well and played the large bell model at that time;

http://s91.photobucket.com/albums/k309/ ... ackjkt.jpg

don't laugh at the hair!

CB

[ydave]

Hi Charley how are you doing?

Didn't know there was different bell sizes on imperials

mine is a very late one with a 11" bell, it is basically the same instrument as my 1980's Sov. (12" bell) bar bell & lead pipe.

Did they do a 12" before the 1st Sovriegn came out?

Dave H

[DEAN]

Hi, I have the same Euphonium, same colour.

I am returning to playing after a 13 year gap, and was wondering how you clean the frosted matt finish and the bright silver parts?

Also the valves make a noise if you turn them a bit, I have been told you get valve guides for them, but I never had valves guides for them.

Also Im considering getting the instrument retored as the are a few dents and a little wear to the finish, do you know if the silver matt finish can be reaplied along with the bright silver, or is that not possible any more, and if I decided to get it all silver plated would that effect the sound?

Also as mentioned is there any difference between this and the soverigne?

Ps I really like the job you did on the euphonium it looks great!