Antique Musical Instruments/Antique 4 valve Euphonium

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Expert: - 2/20/2009


Question

4-Valve Euphonium
I recently purchased and antique 4 valve Euphonium.  After having the lead pipe replaced, I found out that it is actually a high pitched instrument.  The only markings are "25,26,and 27" on valves 1-3,   and "1" on the 4th valve.  The 4th valve is not the same as modern 4th valves.  If depressed, it is equivalent to the 2&3 valve combination.  (For most Euphoniums today, when 4th valve is depressed, it is equivalent to 1&3 valve combination.) The instrument sounds great, it is just High Pitch.  Is there any reason for the 4th valve being different?   What advantage would there be to having the 4th valve play the same as 2&3?

I believe the horn is pre 1920 (?)  How would I find out the manufacturer with no serial number?

Thanks so much!

Answer
I'm assuming since you didn't mention it, that there is no maker's name or other markings on the instrument (except for the valve numbers.)  

You can get the horn to modern pitch, by having the tuning slide (and possibly some of the valve slides lengthened.  

There have been various experiments with valves, some with a 1/2 step on the first valve, and a whole step on the second valve.  But, the 4th valve as the 1&3 combination goes back a long way - at least to the Civil War.  

It could do basically the same as the modern 4th valve i.e. improve intonation only starting up a 1/2 step, but in a more cumbersome way.  You may want to get it lengthened to work in the conventional manner as well.  

Since the horn is unmarked, there is little historical value to it, so there is really not much of a reason (other than expense) not to make it a good playing modern pitched horn.  
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    CommentThanks so much Kenton. There is no manufacturer's name or any other markings. I'll see if I can get the slides lengthened for sure! Best regards, Mark Scherer


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Kenton Scott

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Please note: My area is BRASS instruments, not other wind, string or percussion instruments. I will provide information on antique, obscure and out of production BRASS instruments. 1) Please don't ask for evaluations, I'll not provide them on this site. 2) I am often asked very similar questions, so I'd invite you to first check on Horn-u-Copia.net. Much of the information I have garnered about this topic, I have posted on this WEB site.

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I perform in several historical bands, have informally researched the area, repair brass instruments, and operate a Forum dedicated to the topic at http://horn-u-copia.net

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B.S. Ed, M.S.

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