Hi all,

I have two quick questions for all of the Besson euphonium experts out there.

I own a Besson New Standard euphonium, made in 1970. The bore through the first three valves is .580", through the compensating loops is .620", and through the rest of the fourth valve tubing is .650". These are also the bore sizes of the first Sovereign model. However, I know that some Boosey and Co. euphs from the turn of the twentieth century were .580" through the first three valves and .620" through the compensating loops as well as the rest of the fourth valve tubing. My first question, then, is this: when was the bore of the fourth valve tubing enlarged from .620" to .650"?

Secondly, did Boosey and Co./B&H/Besson ever make a compensating euphonium with a primary bore smaller than .580"? If so, when, and what model?

Thanks,

Sam Funkhouser