FS: Lovely 1970's-ish Besson 4-Valve in Silver REDUCED TO $2500

[davewerden]

This is one of the nicest old Bessons you'll find, with additional touches like gold tuning slides and valve caps. Seller's description is below the photos. I think I saw this a little while ago for a higher price (perhaps an offer for a lower price now would be accepted). Buy-it-now price is $2,500, and there is a make-offer button.

ITEM SOLD FOR $2,100 - GREAT BUY!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Besson-Euphonium-Compensating-4-valve-Made-in-London-1970-Vintage/254295950295

Besson Euphonium Compensating 4 valve, Made in London, 1970 Vintage. Condition is Used. This horn is in amazing condition for it’s age! An added feature is the gold slides. This horn is a true gem of European craftsmanship from 1970. The horn includes a hard case, a Schulze 51 mouthpiece, 6 1/2 AL mouthpiece, and various instrument care supplies. There are not many left that are in this high quality condition. There are obvious points of wear that are visible in the pictures, but this wear is minimal when factoring in the age of the horn. The valves and slides are pristine. No red rot! The only real wear is to the outer body as pictured.

[jkircoff]

That is a lovely horn. $6,000 seems quite a bit on the high side though, and is likely intended to make Buy It Now offers higher.

[davewerden]

That is a lovely horn. $6,000 seems quite a bit on the high side though, and is likely intended to make Buy It Now offers higher.

It's always hard to predict what the market will bear with a horn where the condition is way out of the mainstream, but I doubt he'll get 6k. If one really wanted a dandy horn of this era, I would maybe go as high as $4,500 for a make-offer. One in pretty good condition might go as high as $3k, so it's a matter of figuring what the better condition and gold bling would add to owner satisfaction.

[davewerden]

Price changed to $5,000.

[davewerden]

Price reduced to $4,500 - it's getting interesting now.

[Pat]

I know it's a matter of personal taste, but the gold slides don't do that much for me. I guess it's that I have a picture in my head of what a satin Besson SHOULD look like, and this isn't it.

[davewerden]

Price reduced to $3,500!

[victorandhiseuph]

Price reduced to $3,500!

Can I pay extra for international shipping to Canada ?

[RickF]

Can I pay extra for international shipping to Canada ?

You would need to contact the seller through the eBay link “contact seller” about shipping to Canada.

[davewerden]

Price is reduced to $3,075.

[davewerden]

Reduced to $2,800.

[miketeachesclass]

I bought this horn for $1900 plus shipping. I figured I can’t go
Wrong.

It does seem heavier than other horns of this era I’ve played.

The valve caps/buttons and some slides appear to have been lacquered to appear as though they have gold trim. I’ll probably see if I can get it removed. European shank, so it’ll be harder to find the right piece. (K&G, which I’ve been playing mostly, doesn’t offer a medium shank option...)

Mike

[RickF]

I play tested one of these a couple of years ago. What a sweet-focused tone. The sixth partials were sharp but if I added the 4th valve to the normal fingering those 3 notes ( Eb, E, F concert) came down about 10 cents. AND the tone wasn't affected like it was on my Yamaha 641.

[davewerden]

I bought this horn for $1900 plus shipping. I figured I can’t go
Wrong.

Interesting! The sale price listed on eBay was $2100. Did that sale fall through and give you a chance at it? In any case, that was a great buy!

[miketeachesclass]

Interesting! The sale price listed on eBay was $2100. Did that sale fall through and give you a chance at it? In any case, that was a great buy!

I did get a weird second chance offer from eBay, but the final price was $1900 plus $200 shipping, which ends up at the $2100 figure you saw.