Besson New Standard Parts

[XenopodTheEuphonist]

Hello. I recently purchased an old Besson New Standard (1969). I have a couple of questions regarding parts I would like to upgrade or need to be replaced.

1. The 3rd compensating loop has a 2nd valve slide in it. (There are, for some reason, two second valve slides.) It is a smaller bore than the proper slide and doesn't fit at all, leaking air and ruining my tone and conical shape. Where may I obtain a replacement slide (that actually works)?

2. The horn has the original valve springs. The valves are nice and free, but they require a lot of force and are quite clunky. I've replaced a couple with Yamaha valve springs I had lying around, and they work wonderfully. Since I am going to have to purchase new valve springs anyway, what are my best choices?

Also, I would greatly appreciate any tips or precautions about this horn in general.

Thanks,

Sebastian Davies
Student, Euphonium Fanatic, etc.

[davewerden]

Welcome to the forum!

You might consider the Mead Light springs. I find they are a good balance of strength, and they are plastic coated with a pretty good material that has been holding up well.

For a replacement 3rd compensating slide, you might try Dawkes:

http://www.dwerden.com/forum/showthr...390-U-K-Dawkes

If they can't help, a good repair tech might be able to modify the slide you now have so it fits correctly.

[MikeS]

There is an eBay seller in the U.K., brass-fix, that has a good selection of horn maintenance items. I have used them for several years for springs, felts, valve guides and the like. Their shipping is reasonable and I have received most orders in about a week. They have a particularly good selection of Besson/Boosey/York parts.

[davewerden]

Thanks, Mike. Here is Brass-Fix's main page:

https://www.ebay.com/usr/brass-fix?_...p2047675.l2559