Thomann EP 906 GP Bb-Euphonium

I used to play the oval baritone in windband. This is my first euphonium, but I'm absolutely pleased with the instrument. Excellent response, warm, sweet tone, fast valves... I prefer it's tone over any previously used oval baritones/tenorhorns. I've fallen in love again with this instrument.

On the contrary, there is one little annoying thing, the screw holding in the metal rod for the plexi slideguard is quiet easy to unscrew during performance (my belly is in the way) and used to fall out.

All-in-all, it's a very good instrument, I'm happy with the purchase.

I am from a Brass Band background, but also play Orchestral music (often trombone parts) on it. The build quality is excellent and the full compensating system really makes a difference on some notes.

Using the 4th valve as a 1 and 3 alternative really improves the solidity of the note and tuning I think, noticeable on middle D for example. Top C using 1 instead of 0 really gives a solid more expansive note. The slide comes into its own with notes below middle C - B, A, G and lower are so much more expansive.

The valves are quick and responsive, I removed them, washed the barrels in washing-up liquid and re-oiled them and this improves them as the existing valve oil was a bit thick. I have always done this with new instruments.

I had been playing on a Besson 3-valve recently and found myself overblowing in the upper register when I first played this one. It needs a lighter touch as all good euphoniums do, and the upper register sounds much better.

It is solid and well built, the same qualities you would expect from a much more expensive instrument. I am very glad I bought it.

I have a Besson Sovereign 967 euphonium manufactured in England in 1992. I was told it cost about $7,000 when first purchased. Specifications are, bore: .580, bell: almost 12 1/4in although it's listed as 12in flat, and weight: about 9lbs 5oz from what I remember.
When I compared the Thomann 906 to the Sovereign, the Thomann sounds like a Prestige. It is bigger sounding (a bit "louder"), and darker than the Sovereign. I hear these differences in person and on my recordings. Both of these horns are top notch. My Thomann has the following specs, bell: 312mm, bore: .591, mine actually weighs 4.9kg (almost 11lbs) without anything added instead of the 5.1kg listed on the website.
The ONLY flaws with my horn are a few scratch marks inside the bell that probably occurred during production while it was being buffed.
I've played quite a few horns including: Antoine Courtois 167II, JP 374T Sterling, JP 274, Meinl Weston 551, and a Yamaha 642 clone. I believe the Thomann 906 Superior has the most beautiful sound. I want to add that all the horns I've played sound equally amazing and different. The Antoine Courtois probably has the darkest sound and the Meinl Weston probably has the biggest sound from MY experience.
It is a miracle you can buy a Thomann 906 Superior, that seems to be modeled after the older British style Prestige (Prestige used to have 12 1/4 bell, not sure how heavy it used to be while made in England before being made in Germany), at only a fraction of the price of even a JP Sterling! Not enough people know about this horn! I truly believe there can only be a slight if not less than that, difference between many of the top quality brands manufactured in China most likely, and top of the line name brand horns. I hope this review encourages someone to give this horn a try. Thank you, Thomann