Helios Superb euphonium review for British Bandsman 2008
Helios is a well-known, European brass instrument brand, but was not a recognised name on these shores until the founding of Helios UK in 2006. It is important to stress that this model is not marketed as a starter/student instrument, but retailing at £1349, it would certainly come into the budget bracket.
First impressions are very positive: the instrument is visually very appealing as it is in beautifully finished lacquer. It comes complete with a mouthpiece and a very neat looking and extremely lightweight case, which will be especially welcome with younger players.
The Helios euphonium is based on the traditional 3-valve model plus 4th fully compensating valve. It is a shame this model lacks the now customary trigger as high treble clef Gs (concert Fs), in particular, are predictably quite sharp. Helios may want to consider adding a trigger in future if it seriously wants its euphonium to be considered as a viable alternative to other advanced models. This point aside however, the Helios Euphonium offers mainly solid intonation over its entire range. I did find that middle C sharps were a little flat and high C’s were a little sharp. Pleasingly, high F’s, often sharp on many instruments, were well centred.
The Helios Euphonium has a big, warm and pure tone and overall offers reasonably easy blowing across its register. I enjoyed the lower range of the instrument, but I would have liked the sound to be slightly more open in the upper register.
Once fully worked in, all four valves operated with fluency and reliability. For me, the hand rest was too distant away from the valve block and the lead pipe to the mouthpiece was unusually angled compared to what I’m used to, but these are details you would almost certainly become accustomed to given time.
For those more advanced players searching for a high quality new instrument at what are perhaps more affordable prices than the market leaders, the Helios Superb Euphonium is a very welcome newcomer to the low brass scene.
Mark Bousie
