Update!

I'm sorry for my lack of updates recently. I have been busy with both work and travel. I plan on posting regularly again.

In fact, be on the lookout for the review of a PaGu conductor's baton soon. I'm very excited about this product!

Thanks for reading the blog!

Neotech Trombone Grip - Review

Recently, I received a Trombone Grip made by Neotech. I had had little experience with Neotech before this grip. I mainly knew about them from friends who played sax and loved their neck straps. This trombone grip though is very intriguing. I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical at first... Read on to find out if I ended up liking it.

Design - The design of this grip has 3 main parts, the bushings, the "hook" which latches onto the bushing, and the strap. The grip also comes with three bushings, meaning that no matter which type of brace your trombone has, there will be a bushing to fit it. The grip can be a bit daunting to try to figure out how it works for the first time, but once you figure it out; it becomes extremely easy to put on and take off. (Watching this video helps a ton!) The trombone will also still fit in your normal case with the bushing attached which is a major plus. Also, you can adjust the grip to different lateral positions as well as different rotations so you won't have to change your normal grip to work with the grip. In all there are 18 possibilities for the strap. The design is very innovative and very unique.

Design rating  - 4.5/5

Effectiveness - Lets be honest, effectiveness is the most important aspect of any trombone grip/brace. Neotech doesn't come up short in this aspect either. This grip does not reduce the weight of the instrument (such as the ergobone), but rather it redistributes and helps you carry the weight easier. One of the best things about this grip is it eliminates the problem of the "death grip." This means that people (students especially) can't use excessive grip strength while holding the instrument with this grip. "Death grips" are a major factor in tension in the embouchure and throat. This grip seems to place more weight on my elbow and wrist than without it. For me, I like this because they are larger muscle groups and can be used for longer periods of time without fatigue.

Effectiveness rating - 4/5

Pros

• Eliminates the "death grip"
• Increases endurance
• Cheaper than every other grip I've seen
• comfortable to use
• Easy to adjust the strap placement

Cons

• Takes awhile to figure out (Video helps a ton though)
• Elbow tends to get sore when first adjusting (could be just me, and it improves as you use it more)
• Can't use it with my HERCULES trombone stand

Price - $27.95 from Neotech

Overall - This grip is a great value. If you (or one of your students) are having issues with weight, it would be a great investment. This grip is very affordable and functions very well. It also helps decrease tension in the embouchure due to high grip tension. It may take awhile to find your ideal setting; but once you do, this grip will help your endurance, tone, and even breath support due to relaxing your body. This is also a very durable product and they sell extra bushings so you don't have to buy a whole new grip for all of your trombones. Neotech has done a great job in designing and producing a cheap and effective grip for trombone.

Overall rating - 4.5/5

Pics

Bushing on trombone

Strap

Grip on the trombone

Review of the Schiller Elite Compensating Euphonium

About two weeks ago I received my Schiller Elite Compensating euphonium from Jim Laabs Music. This was my first euphonium purchase and I only paid $885. Think you can't get a good horn for that little? Read on to find out what I think of this horn.

Big Bottom Music NW has the exact same horn (from the same manufacturer) for less at http://www.bigbottommusicnw.com/.

Specs.
This horn seems to be a copy of the Yamaha YEP-642.

• .590 - .661" Bore
• 11.8" Upright bell
• 3+1 Compensating valve arrangement
• Ubiquitous rose brass leadpipe
• Monel valves
• Large shank

Review

Shipping - This horn was shipped via FedEx in a large box with styrofoam inserts to hold the case (with instrument inside) in place during shipping. Packing job seemed excellent and very safe. I was not automatically provided with a tracking number; however, when I inquired as to if there was one, they emailed me the number within an hour.

Appearance - Well, unfortunately, appearance is something we judge instruments based on. The Schiller has a pretty good appearance in my opinion. I have the lacquer version and the lacquer job seems to be good with only a few minor imperfections. Personally I like the look of the rose brass leadpipe on these horns.

Appearance rating - 4.5/5

How does it play? - The most important aspect of any instrument is its sound. Specifically how easy is it to play and how is the tone? The Schiller surprised me in both areas. With a low price tag I really wasn't expecting a lot out of this horn.  This horn is very open and even the compensating register feels free blowing. The 11.8" bell gives a warm rather diffuse sound to the instrument. The construction of the instrument feels sturdy; however, the horn is light for a compensating euphonium. As such, you can feel the vibrations throughout the horn and occasionally get some vibrating sounds in the horn. After recording, these extra sounds are not loud and are not picked up by the audience. High F# is somewhat problematic and a bit hard to center at first, but it got easier after playing the horn for awhile.

Playability rating - 3.5/5

Valves - Valves are what can differentiate between a good euphonium and a great euphonium. When you first get the horn, the valves are rather noisy and a bit sluggish. I have been being extra nice to them over the past couple of weeks. I've wiped them down and oiled them about every 30-45 min while playing, when I start playing, and When I finished playing. Also, I would squirt a little oil down the leadpipe and blow it through the horn while wiggling my valves. After only two weeks the valves are much more responsive and much quieter. The fourth valve is still a bit noisy but I would expect that to get better with time as well.

Valves - 4/5

Intonation - An area where many Chinese made horns fail is intonation. Lets face it, a horn isn't good unless you can play in tune fairly easily. This horn did great with intonation. All valved notes were very well in tune, even down through the compensating register. open F's seem to be a bit of a problem on this instrument. Third and sixth partial F's were considerably sharp. However, playing these notes with the 4th valve depressed helps a lot. All tuning slides move freely and have good fit on my instrument so getting this tuned up was no problem.

Intonation rating - 3.5/5

Accessories

Mouthpiece - The mouthpiece that this horn is an unidentified mouthpiece which comes with the horn. No size markings are visible but it feels like a 12C. Since this is a large shank/large bore horn this mouthpiece is way too small for this horn. While I did play on the mouthpiece for about ten minutes, it is not something I would recommend using. For my playing on this horn I will mainly be using my Monette Prana TT-4L mostly and maybe my Schilke 51D if I need to.

Mouthpiece rating - 2/5

Case - This euphonium comes with an "enthral" case. Overall, its not a bad case. Its got some fancy backpack straps which take awhile to figure out how to use. A storage compartment on the front (which can't fit oversized music folders). The case does have some wiggle room for the instrument so I may get a new case that is more secure.

Case rating - 3/5

Blue Juice - This is the valve oil that comes with the horn. This is also my personal oil of choice. The oil is very effective and lasts for a decent amount of time. The only downside of the oil is that it has a very pungent smell which some people do not care for.

Microfiber cloths - The horn comes with two microfiber cloths. They work well for cleaning up the horn.

Pros

• Price!
• Good horn for doubling or a back up/outdoor horn
• Much higher quality than other eBay brands
• Packaging was very secure so very minimal risk of damage in transport
• Plays as well as horns costing over twice as much

Cons

• Light weight (may not be as durable)
• Valves aren't great at first
• Stock mouthpiece is all but useless

Price - $885 - Jim Laabs Music
           $700 - Big Bottom Music NW (This is the same horn from the sam manufacturer)

Overall - This is a ton of horn for the money. Can you buy better? Yes. Those of us who occasionally double on euphonium can't justify spending over five thousand dollars on a professional instrument. This horn gives use a great compensating horn that is close to professional quality at less than a thousand dollars. I am very please with my purchase of this horn. This is a suitable horn for a student, however I would be wary of transporting because of the light weight. Also, a teacher should always be consulted before purchasing an instrument for a student. In my, and many others, opinion this horn is definitely worth the money. You would be hard pressed to find a better horn for a price even remotely close to the Schiller.

Overall rating - 4/5

Pictures
Instrument in case

Case

Front of euphonium

Back of euphonium

Close up of valves