I'm with Doug on a longer look at them, and I just LOVE satin finish epuhs!
DG
I'm with Doug on a longer look at them, and I just LOVE satin finish epuhs!
DG
Grab that Besson at Duchy Brass now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Looks wonderful and will be a good solid horn. Did I say to get it now???????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
John Morgan
The U.S. Army Band (Pershing's Own) 1971-1976
Adams E3 Custom Series Euphonium, 1956 B&H Imperial Euphonium,
1973 F. E. Olds & Son Studio Model T-31 BaritoneAdams TB1 Tenor Trombone, Yamaha YBL-822G Bass Trombone
Year Round Except Summer:
Kingdom of the Sun (KOS) Concert Band, Ocala, FL (Euphonium)Summer Only:
KOS Brass Quintet (Trombone, Euphonium)
Rapid City Municipal Band, Rapid City, SD (Euphonium)
Rapid City New Horizons Band (Euphonium)
That's gotta be Nitrocellulose lacquer, which is still used by a lot of repair shops for touchup work and refinishing. Nikolas lacquer is "Nitro" based, and Bach Trombones and Trumpets used to use it, as did many other companies, before they moved to epoxy.
The problem, as many know, is that it doesn't cure, it just dries, and exposure to certain chemicals, like bug spray, ruin it. It also was the finish of choice for guitar clearcoats, and Gibson and others STILL use it due to the magical properties it has. Quite a number of horror stories have resulted from outdoor gigs, bug spray, and guitars.
Looking back at that sovereign, it just really doesn't look like it was properly taken care of, at all. Probably never cleaned inside or out, so who knows what the valves look like.
Sterling / Perantucci 1065HGS Euphonium, 1952 B&H Imperial Eb Tuba, and a bunch of trombones.
Yes, I couldn't remember the name. Besson DID use Nitrocellulose lacquer on the old horns. The lacquered Sovereigns (which my 1980 was before I had it restored in silver) were very prone to lacquer wear. Even w/o bug spray, my body chemistry was hard on that stuff.
A lot of manufacturers no longer use this (particularly on brass) and have switched to epoxy lacquer due to the flammability and other OSHA issues.
Adams E3 0.60 Sterling bell - Prototype top sprung valves
Concord Band
Winchendon Winds
Townsend Military Band
Yeah, it's just not as durable as the modern epoxy lacquers. Also, it isn't very heat resistant. If you give an older Bach trombone a hot bath... the lacquer falls right off. I think even Bach has now seen the light and gone with epoxy. Nitrocellulose is just bad news overall.
Sterling / Perantucci 1065HGS Euphonium, 1952 B&H Imperial Eb Tuba, and a bunch of trombones.
It seems I was not quick enough to purchase the 767 at Duchy. I appreciate all the insight and information. If anyone knows of a comparable horn in the $3k range I would appreciate any links or a heads-up. My son's 321 plays very well but he's getting to a level where it may make it more challenging to advance. Thank you!
Scott
Dave Werden (ASCAP)
Euphonium Soloist, U.S. Coast Guard Band, retired
Adams Artist (Adams E3)
Alliance Mouthpiece (DC3)
YouTube: dwerden
Facebook: davewerden
Twitter: davewerden
Instagram: davewerdeneuphonium
Since the Besson 767 circa 1980 (referenced/linked earlier) was a predecessor to the Sovereign series, how does it compare to the 968 (London) in tone and overall performance with its slightly smaller bore (.580)?
David Shinn
Peninsula Concert Band
Yorktown, Virginia
1971 Besson 181 ‘New Standard’ Euphonium (3+1 compensating) ~ Alliance DC3M
1971 Besson 176 ‘New Standard’ Euphonium (3 compensating) ~ Alliance DC3M
1979 Besson 755 'New Standard' Baritone (3 compensating) ~ Alliance DC5S
1894 Besson ‘Doublophone’ Euphonium (3 + 1 changeover) & Original Leather Case
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidshinn....ibextid=LQQJ4d
Peninsula Concert Band: https://www.peninsulaconcertband.org/
I believe all the Bessons made in the British factory had a .580 bore. The larger bore did not show up until the German production. The BRITISH 968 had a 580 bore. I know on the Sovereign 967 they only changed the leadpipe and bell from the 767 series. Not sure exactly what they changed on the 968, but it did have a little nicer sound (IMO) than the 767. The German versions have a 590 bore.
Dave Werden (ASCAP)
Euphonium Soloist, U.S. Coast Guard Band, retired
Adams Artist (Adams E3)
Alliance Mouthpiece (DC3)
YouTube: dwerden
Facebook: davewerden
Twitter: davewerden
Instagram: davewerdeneuphonium
And when comparing the 968 to the mid-1970’s Besson New Standard / Boosey & Hawkes Imperial, what is the opinion with regards to tone, intonation, responsiveness, etc?
David Shinn
Peninsula Concert Band
Yorktown, Virginia
1971 Besson 181 ‘New Standard’ Euphonium (3+1 compensating) ~ Alliance DC3M
1971 Besson 176 ‘New Standard’ Euphonium (3 compensating) ~ Alliance DC3M
1979 Besson 755 'New Standard' Baritone (3 compensating) ~ Alliance DC5S
1894 Besson ‘Doublophone’ Euphonium (3 + 1 changeover) & Original Leather Case
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidshinn....ibextid=LQQJ4d
Peninsula Concert Band: https://www.peninsulaconcertband.org/