The best to my knowledge Besson is made by the Buffet Crampon group and I know the 4 valve non compensator is made by B&S. I would agree Dave and others that a good top of the line used is less risky than the Chinese brands. Myself, I do not advocate for Chinese manufactured instruments for various reasons. Buying a used instrument from a dealer or looking at one through a dealer would give you a chance to give the instrument a try. In my college days, there were plenty of dealers to go around and play all different horns. Unfortunately I didn't do that and chose a Conn for college which actually was an excellent choice. That horn served me well for over 50 years and was still in very good condition. A note of humor, as much as I tried, the music department would only list me as a baritone horn major even though I played the American style euphonium.