Try out an instrument if you can before you buy, preferably with a mouthpiece you are used to. Bessons of the early 2000s are hit and miss -- I had a Besson 967 made in 2002 that ended up having several lacquering defects along with some slide and valve issues, although it did have the coveted Besson sound.
James Kircoff
Genesee Wind Symphony - principal euphonium (Adams E3 Custom .60mm yellow brass bell w/ K&G 3.5)
Capital City Brass Band (2019 NABBA 2nd section champions) - 1st baritone (Besson BE956 w/ Denis Wick 6BY)