Finish issues ... first let me say that I haven't noticed any in the ZeuS horns I have had. Of course, ZeuS does have some different finishes, the the brushed brass is going to show more than many other finishes.
I have a brushed copper Olympus at the moment. Beautiful -- simply a fantastic looking horn. But that does not mean that a horn couldn't come from Kanstul with a flaw or two -- they come from Bach that way too at times. In fact, I have seen several Bachs I wouldn't buy (but demos in stores can have all kinds of problems).
One additional point, I pulled out the main tuning slide and noticed something right on the inside of the slide that looked like instant mashed potatoes. I then looked down the leadpipe and found it was absolutely gunked up. This horn was only a week old and should not have been in that condition. It looks like it had been through a marching season of nachos and coke being blown into it every week.
Your symphonic band must have a lot more fun than ours! Nachos and coke -- what fun. Did you have a beer too before trying the double G?
All kidding aside, ZeuSFan needs to clean that horn. I demo horns often and even if you let someone play your horn (I always do) the different saliva and mixtures can make a mess. Any horn played by many people needs to be cleaned much more often.
Have ZeuSFan clean that horn and then try it again with the tuner and some time. It will not fix the third valve ring. But no horn fits everyone. A competent repair person would have any size ring you wanted on there in minutes -- not a real good reason to not like a horn.
I have to admit, though, I found your review refreshing and honest. No ZeuS lover or ZeuS hater trying to pound home a point.
Perhaps my view on this will be altered by future acceptance by teachers, professionals, and the resale market.
Some teachers and pros are getting there. ZeuS is fairly new. The resale market will take a LONG time. Compared to the number of Bachs out there, ZeuS is pretty rare. And very few who buy one sell it in a short period of time. It will be a long time before there is any secondary market for these horns. In fact, I would say that if you see any new horn show up a lot on the secondary markets, perhaps they are not liked all that well. Whether it is a ZeuS, a Wild Thing, a Kanstul WB, a Conn V1 ... it doesn't matter. When they show up on the secondary markets you have to ask "why?". I know in graduate school I sold my prized Yamaha 321 Euphonium. I wish I still had it -- but I needed the money. Some, I guess, could be selling for that reason
M&C