Best New Compensating Euphonium under $5K?

[TheJH]

There is a review of the XO on his channel, but it's a couple of years old so probably not that accurate anymore if XO has done some improvements.

Regarding the Besson International, it's pretty weird since the tubas DO have the International model on the site. In the Netherlands there are several shops that have the (new) compensated model in stock. I guess the only way to know is to contact Besson themselves.

[davewerden]

Regarding the Besson International, it's pretty weird since the tubas DO have the International model on the site. In the Netherlands there are several shops that have the (new) compensated model in stock. I guess the only way to know is to contact Besson themselves.

Besson is getting interesting these days, leaning towards confusing. I found a web shop that lists the International. If I were forced to guess I'd say is made in China, based on some visuals. They also say expected delivery would be 90 days. And then on the Besson site itself I see a "Protige" model, which is the first I've heard of that one.

[guidocorona]

The Besson International appears to be a step-up horn, targetting advanced students rather than professionals. It is a 4-valve compensated horn with a hand-hammered bell, possibly manufactured in China. Note that the bore is indicated in the specs listed below at 0.590. Unless the missing larger value for the 4th valve is a mistake, all valves are uniformly bored at 0.590. Furthermore, I trust that the hefty weight of 20Lbs 8Oz accounts for the instrument inside its case:

Key: Bb
Bore: .590" (14.98mm)
Hand made bell in yellow brass
Bell diameter: 12" (304mm)
Weight: 20lb 8oz (4700g)
4 compensating valves (3+1)
Removable valve block gutter
3 waterkeys
Finish: Clear Lacquer or bright silver platethe
https://www.gear4music.com/us/en/

Here are a few listings:

https://www.thewindsection.com/produ...nal-euphonium/

https://www.abi.co.nz/product/catalo...e767-euphonium

All the above are outside the US.

G.

[ChristianeSparkle]

A China-made Besson. Now that is interesting. Wonder why we rarely hear of it. The price seems to be not too bad, if it retains the quality control of Besson, possibly?

[TheJH]

The 'Prodige' range is the renamed and reworked student-level 'New Standard' range, aka the 100 (or 1000) series.

This new reworked compensating International series has been a thing for a year or... two now I think, but there has been NO information on it WHATSOEVER, not even from Besson themselves afaik. If you click on the filter option on the eupho page on the Besson site it still shows the International, but when you click on it there's nothing there.

[Davidus1]

The 'Prodige' range is the renamed and reworked student-level 'New Standard' range, aka the 100 (or 1000) series.

This new reworked compensating International series has been a thing for a year or... two now I think, but there has been NO information on it WHATSOEVER, not even from Besson themselves afaik. If you click on the filter option on the eupho page on the Besson site it still shows the International, but when you click on it there's nothing there.

The International series of tubas are on the Besson website. I did not check the Euphonium links. I have a friend that has owned an Eb Tuba and he speaks favorably of it. It is not of the same quality as a 981/982 but felt it was on par with Wessex Ebs. (his opinion). Probably worth checking out.

[Fujiifilm]

Regarding the Prodige range, I recall seeing some Facebook posts by Steven Mead a few weeks back where he was going to be creating some promo/demo videos for this new range of horns. It looked like there are a 3 valve, 4 valve top action (like a Yamaha 321), 3+1 (11in. and 12in. bells available) euphoniums, and a 3 valve baritone. All non-compensating.

Here are the links he included in his post, which go to the Besson website and show the full line available as well as specs. Seems like they're replacing the previous International/New Standard series of beginner/intermediate range horns they had.

https://www.besson.com/en/instrument...prodige-be162/

https://www.besson.com/en/instrument...be163-164-165/

https://www.besson.com/en/instrument...prodige-be157/

[euphlight]

Matoinis still uses a XO. He has no shortage videos including the recent multitrack ensemble of Holst 1st Suite in Eb.

[EuphMan84]

I think he's using the XO to better blend with the ensembles he's playing with. I can see the 2nd Euph is also playing the same model.
But I've seen videos out there where he absolutely trashes the XO horn in a comparison video with a Besson & his Virtuoso.
Also another video he uses it in comparison with two cheap horns & a JP274S.
I just can't imagine Jupiter has upgraded the XO to the degree where his prior comments are now moot.

[EuphMan84]

Does anyone have any thoughts or experience with the Mack Brass ZO compensating euphonium?

http://www.mackbrass.com/site/e4ae89...onium.php#3001