Besson Prestige Baritone Horn
Interesting. I love how these horns play (at least the Sovereigns), from the limited time I've played them in the elephant room. I'd buy one, but no way I can justify spending $5k+ for an instrument that I would sometimes use in brass band. I have played the English baritone parts on euphonium in brass band before. No the sound isn't quite what is needed. I bought a nice used Yamaha english baritone for less than $1k (3 valve, noncompensating), but the ergonomics and intonation forced me to part with it. If our band got really really good and they needed a dedicated baritone player, perhaps I would go for it.
As a compensating euph player, I always felt the 4 valve model felt like a natural double. Why is it that the 3 valve compensating design has stuck as the standard for these baritones? I read somewhere that the 3 valve designs outsell the 4 valve horns over 2 to 1. I've trained myself to use the 4th valve for all 1+3 and 1+2+3 valve combintations and it is much more in tune. Yes, I know the 3 valve compensating system can correct those, but it would be a much easier double for ME to go with the 4 valve.
Speaking of 4 valves, why did they have to make the baritone compensating? I've never seen baritone parts go terribly low. Yamaha used to make a 3+1 noncompensating baritone, but I've never played it. I wish Besson made one like that to keep the price down. The Bessons I've played had a darker sound than the smaller bore Yamaha baritones.
- Scott
Euphoniums: Dillon 967, Monzani MZEP-1150S, Dillon 1067 (kid’s horn)
Bass Trombones: Greenhoe GB5-3G, Getzen 1052FDR, JP232
King Jiggs P-bone