Is a Besson 1065 a good college horn?

[abenigni123]

Hi, I've been playing around three years and am now going to college in hopes to keep playing for as long as I can. It's a passion of mine I don't intend to lose any time soon. That being said, I'm on a pretty low budget, I dont think anything over $3000 is going to suffice, and I've looked in a lot of places. The 1065 seems promising, I'm just afraid it might not be a great college horn. Thoughts?

[davewerden]

Welcome to the forum!

I would suggest getting a Wessex Dolce. You'll find a lot of discussion about it on the forum. It is compensating, plays very well, and costs under $1500.

[guidocorona]

Alternatively, the Wessex EP104 Festivo for $1850 has implemented side valves, and is said to have a slightly more open wrap than Dolce. David, have you tried it and compared it to the Dolce?

I received my own Festivo just a couple of days ago.... I like it very much, but it being my first horn larger than a flugel, unsurprisingly I am horridly rusty on it. I use the Wessex Y4 stock MP shipped with it, as well as the Wick SM4U.

Regards, Guido

[abenigni123]

I found a Besson 767 being sold for 2,400 and I'm leaning pretty heavily on that. What are your thoughts? I can't seem to find too much in terms of reviews for the horn

[abenigni123]

I've also found an old Besson being sold for 1000. It's one of the older ones, I'd say around 70's, because it has an old engraving with the "50 medals of honour" engraved above the name. There's no model number, only a serial number and I'm having all sorts of difficulty trying to figure out what kind of model it is. Do any of you by any chance know?

[RickF]

The older Bessons have a great tone but playing in tune can be challenging. You’ll have to lip some pitches or use alternate fingering... especially for the 6th partials (Eb, E, F concert above bass clef staff). Here’s a post about the Besson 767 from eleven years ago:
http://www.dwerden.com/forum/showthr...7#.W1SiQ1opChA

[daruby]

In answer to the OP (Original Poster), I am not a big fan of the 1065 as a college horn. It is a non-compensating instrument that has a nice sound but whose pitch is generally worse than a Yamaha 321. I am also absolutely not a fan of the Wessex Festivo for this purpose. It would be a nice horn for ensemble or community band playing, but it is a front valve instrument, and it points in the opposite direction of the horns that all of your band mates will be using. This can be awkward and also perceived as not as serious by your colleagues and/or teachers at the college level. The Wessex Dolce is a traditional compensating euphonium and does not have these issues.

Not knowing what your actual college plans are (what school, are you a music major, etc?) makes replying to you difficult. My STRONGEST recommendation is that you contact you college level teacher (assuming you will be taking lessons) and find out what he/she recommends.

Doug

[guidocorona]

Festivo's non-canonic positioning of pistons and bell direction may or may not be a concern, depending on institution, band and band director, teacher/tutor, etc... Regardless, discussing and seeking purchase advice from school staff and more senior students is an excellent idea... Post-purchase bad surprises can be painful, and... Costly to boot.

G.

[abenigni123]

That's an excellent idea, and I will do so immediately. Thank you much!!

[guidocorona]

Please do keep us posted... I am quite interested in hearing about their opinions.

G.

[abenigni123]

I would like you all to know that I'm going to be purchasing the 767 for 2600, shipping included. My professor said, in his words, "a great horn that will serve you will for your years here." I'm extremely excited, especially to play a compensating horn for the first time. Thank you all for your help!!

[guidocorona]

Congrats abenigni123...

Keep us posted with your impressions of the 767!

Saluti, Guido

[abenigni123]

Of course! It arrives in about a month, Ill be sure to keep you posted!