FS: Besson New Standard 3-Valve Compensating - NICE!

[davewerden]

This satin-silver horn (with bright accents) looks better than most I have seen. The bell seems to have been straightened, but overall it looks very nice. The serial number would place it around 1978-79, so it probably has a large receiver. This has a buy-it-now price of $1,595 (with a make-offer button):

ITEM SOLD FOR $1,595

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Besson-New-Standard-Euphonium-T/233100199177

[davewerden]

Updated listing with new URL and price arrangements.

[iiipopes]

These instruments are perfect for a community band player that does not need a low range below f at the bottom of the bass staff. And in my opinion, since you can play bottom line G and mid line D 3rd alone, which is tuned dead since the comp loops take care of 2+3 and 1+3 combinations, instead of 1+2 which is always slightly sharp and needs lipping or slide adjustments on all 4-valve comp instruments, since on 4-valve comp instruments the 3rd valve circuit needs to be pulled for 2+3 to be in tune, the 3-valve comp instruments are actually better in tune with themselves, and to my ears preferable for section work.

[ametropia]

Sold

Welp, my birthday is coming up, and I decided to take a chance on this one. This will be my first euph in quite some time (always a baritone, never a euph!)

I will need to take it mouthpiece shopping as I don't believe it comes with one. I have absolutely no clue what receiver it will turn out to be -- you mention Dave it could be Large, but I guess I shouldn't hang my hat on anything before I get it and check.

*whistles Happy Birthday To Me* Gotta get my birthday fun in early because my actual birthday tends to be near or right on top of the Superbowl every single year. *huff*

[Snorlax]

Pictures in the thread don't resemble the instrument in the link.
The instrument in the link appears to be a baritone, but the pix in
the thread show a euphonium.

[ametropia]

Pictures in the thread don't resemble the instrument in the link.
The instrument in the link appears to be a baritone, but the pix in
the thread show a euphonium.

Well, the photos in the thread are taken from the photos in the link, so call it whatever you want -- either way it means you need your eyes checked

Edit: Apparently Snorlax is seeing some different link now that the instrument is sold! I see the original link because I bought it I guess, but everyone else gets a 'recommendation' of a different horn.

[davewerden]

Pictures in the thread don't resemble the instrument in the link.
The instrument in the link appears to be a baritone, but the pix in
the thread show a euphonium.

Your eyes are fine! The instrument listed above has been sold (I just updated the listing), so eBay suggested something "similar" for you. Their suggestions are quite good sometimes, and really very far off other times. I'd say this one was in the middle somewhere.

The instrument you saw is a bit odd by today's standard, looking like a baritone, but just a bit fatter than I'm used to, and with a top bow that goes over the right hand/valves. I've seen the model before, and I would classify it as a baritone.

EBAY INSTRUMENT:



MODERN BESSON 955 BARITONE:

[ametropia]

That's so weird, I can't reproduce what you guys are seeing! Must be because I'm the buyer I guess, it just keeps showing me my own purchase which is the original listing.

[davewerden]

That's so weird, I can't reproduce what you guys are seeing! Must be because I'm the buyer I guess, it just keeps showing me my own purchase which is the original listing.

I'm sure that is why. Here is a direct link:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Besson-New-...s/192782541608

[ametropia]

I'm sure that is why. Here is a direct link:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Besson-New-...s/192782541608

OH wow yes that would be confusing to see that vs. the pictures on the thread!

My apologies Snorlax!

[Snorlax]

No apology needed! ;-)

[ametropia]

I got my horn, though there was a moment of extreme annoyance to find out there was a significant patch of the horn finish worn off near the bottom of the instrument that was NOT disclosed in the original auction and I can clearly see in every single picture they seem to have taken the picture in such a way that hid it.






So on top of already only paying $1495 for it, I'm going to ask them for a further discount still for non-disclosure and for me not to put a negative review, because I'm pretty annoyed.

But I'm turning a negative into a positive: I will one day have the horn refinished in full, and in the mean time I may come up with some... creative ways to cover it up as I'm known to do.

The horn plays well in the few moments I took to test it in my office (as not to upset anyone with my terrible euphonium skillz). It is a large shank and luckily I just happened to have a large-shank 6.5 ALL which is better than nothing. The springs are a bit noisey, I have mead springs at home that might work though, we'll see. It's definitely a bit of a curve from playing a little British Baritone. Still I'm surprised how light it is for the size of the instrument.

I shall take it to band practice this week to give it a full go

Just thought I would update everyone -- from posting to finished sale!

The case is in my opinion not designed for the instrument at all and it flops around in there, though I did see a 'buckle' system to hold it down. However it is graffitee all over the case about the high school program it was once a part of I guess. So I've already pulled the trigger on a brand new case, and this one can go straight in the bin.

[davewerden]

Thanks for the update. That spot is quite bizarre. It's a bit more well-defined that most worn-out plating areas usually are, and I sure don't see a sign of it in the original photos! The pic of the horn in the case should have shown this spot, as far as I can tell. It won't affect the playing, but I would certainly ask for the adjustment you mention. If it were on the back of the bow it would not show to anyone but you. Because it is on the front of the bow, it would be seen by the audience if you were to stand for a solo. (It's not too bad really, but it is still worth a complaint!)

[ametropia]

The case it came with is awful, it is spray-painted with initials on it and while it is physically still holding up it's what I would call "gross" more than anything. I don't know if this is the original case or not. It had broken pencils in it on arrival. There is a 'belt' inside that must be fastened around the horn, and if it isn't, the horn will bang around in the case. But the poor horn arrived without the belt attached, so it banged around in that case from Texas to Canada. Great... seller tried to blame it on how 'rough' UPS is. Yeah UPS did not unfasten that belt, I tried and it does NOT come apart due to metal teeth.

As for the mystery spot, it is very smooth and clearly a result of friction over time on something very specific, I just don't know what. Can't really find a point of contact for that far down on the horn in the case itself but no guarantees this was ever the original case.

The one thing I can say, the most important thing, is that it sounds really good. As for anything else like the splotch, well maybe one day I'll get the instrument refinished.

[RickF]

There’s a product called “Medallion wipe-on silver” that Mark Finley reviewed over on TubeNet (Mark sometimes posts here on Dave’s forum). Took me awhile to find it. He shares some good pictures too. It’s not as good as original of course, but much cheaper than getting the horn replated. You need to redo it once in awhile.

Here’s the link:
http://forums.chisham.com/viewtopic....465911#p465911