No not the lead pipe, it is the tube that goes up to the highest and turns to the right (highest tube) and goes down and up again to the bell.
Last edited by MatzeEuph; 09-20-2020 at 12:59 PM. Reason: Adding information
That is the upper bow. Do you have pictures? Are you talking about distortions or dents in the brass or bubbles in the silver plating?
Adams E3 0.60 Sterling bell - Prototype top sprung valves
Concord Band
Winchendon Winds
Townsend Military Band
It’s a kind of bubbles, the silver plating is without damage.
The "tube that turns to the right" is called the upper bow. The tube that connects from the tuning slide to the upper bow is the one I believe you are talking about. Do you have pictures? Are you talking about distortions or dents in the brass or bubbles in the silver plating? If bubbles in the silver plating, that suggests corrosion in the brass under the plating. Typically this is a sign of a poor or incomplete plating process. Don't know if this is a significant issue or not. Did you see similar silver plating issues anywhere else?
I do not know how far this instrument is away from where you live, but 5200€ is still a pretty high price for a horn that is 16 yrs old and was manufactured in the Besson 2004 era. Do you have a technician who can inspect the horn for you and advise?
Adams E3 0.60 Sterling bell - Prototype top sprung valves
Concord Band
Winchendon Winds
Townsend Military Band
Is this right at solder joint such as a major joint or near a brace? It could be solder splash that never got cleaned up before the silver plating. If it is on what otherwise would be a clean flat surface not near a brace or joint, it is more likely plating that has separated from the underlying metal due to corrosion. BUT, in any case, if it concerns you, I can only suggest having a competent technician examine the horn for you.
Adams E3 0.60 Sterling bell - Prototype top sprung valves
Concord Band
Winchendon Winds
Townsend Military Band
If this can help to identify the problem:
even on my prestige you can see very small bubbles on the lower part of the leadpipe and a very small one inside the bell, present on the instrument at the time of purchase. They look like bubbles due to imperfect plating or dirt left on the brass at the time of plating. The seller, at the time, had offered to eliminate the defect, but being practically invisible, I preferred to keep it that way. After 13 years of daily use the bubbles have remained as they are and not given any problems.
Last edited by franz; 09-21-2020 at 02:02 AM.
It looks like the bubbles come from a repair of a sharp dent.
As the technician says.
On the other hand I found a Geneva Oldroyd Cardinal demo instrument
9 Months old like new,...
I am not sure what to do.
How is the sound of the Geneva compared to the Besson.
I can’t try the Geneva so easy, it’s about 5h drive away.