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Thread: Info on Besson 3 Valve Compensating BBb Tuba

  1. #1

    Info on Besson 3 Valve Compensating BBb Tuba

    I recently came into possession of a Besson 3 Valve Compensating BBb Tuba that needs a little work, but is overall in fair, playable condition. I tried looking up the model numbers in the links provided on this site, and either there's a gap, or I'm not smart enough to figure out what's going on.
    Here's the info on the horn:
    SN: 457780
    Bell Engraving: "50 Medals of Honour (in a banner) B Besson (star under Besson) London-Paris-New York Made in England" Also there is an "H" above the two on the second valve, which maybe indicates High Pitch, but I don't think the horn is that old.
    Apart from that there is a bearing ball (not sure what to call it) on the bottom bow, which most newer (60s forward) horns don't tend to have.

    Any help would be appreciated as to determining model and approximate year of manufacture, as I do need a new water key on the first valve slide - right now I'm using a water key cork glued to a bit of rubber band.

    Thanks in advance!
    Harrison Brown
    Madison (Alabama) Community Band - Euphonium
    My Euphoniums/Tuba:
    Yamaha Neo YEP-642TS Compensating w/ MTS Trigger Euphonium
    Reynolds Contempora Diatonic Bell Front Baritone 3-Valve w/ MTS Kicker
    V. F. Červený CEP-531 4-Valve Bohemian Oval "Baryton"
    Conn 60-I Wonderphone Double Bell 5-Valve Euphonium
    Besson 223 3-Valve Compensating BBb Tuba

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2020
    Location
    Yorktown, Virginia
    Posts
    277
    Below is a link from a 1958 Besson catalogue…possibly a Model 223? (Pages 18 & 19).

    http://yorkmaster.org/yorkmaster/pho...mpo/index.html

    Here is a link to a serial number-year cross-reference…possibly a 1968 horn? (page 22 of 23)

    http://www.dwerden.com/Special/bandh_handlists_web.pdf
    Last edited by Shinn; 06-07-2022 at 04:34 PM.
    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/

  3. #3
    Thanks for the help! I figured there was a copy of an old catalogue out there somewhere, but I wasn't getting what I wanted on Google. It does look to be a 223, and probably around '68 vintage.
    Odd that the 223 is the only one the catalogue that shows that old-school bumper ball on the end. I haven't really seen that but on much older horns - must be a carry over from an older model.
    Harrison Brown
    Madison (Alabama) Community Band - Euphonium
    My Euphoniums/Tuba:
    Yamaha Neo YEP-642TS Compensating w/ MTS Trigger Euphonium
    Reynolds Contempora Diatonic Bell Front Baritone 3-Valve w/ MTS Kicker
    V. F. Červený CEP-531 4-Valve Bohemian Oval "Baryton"
    Conn 60-I Wonderphone Double Bell 5-Valve Euphonium
    Besson 223 3-Valve Compensating BBb Tuba

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2020
    Location
    Yorktown, Virginia
    Posts
    277
    Just saw an add for a 1968 Besson 3-valve compensating BBb tuba - they advertised it as a Model 785…

    https://hartford.craigslist.org/msg/...484766810.html
    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/

  5. #5
    Looks almost identical to mine except it's (slightly) lacquered.
    Harrison Brown
    Madison (Alabama) Community Band - Euphonium
    My Euphoniums/Tuba:
    Yamaha Neo YEP-642TS Compensating w/ MTS Trigger Euphonium
    Reynolds Contempora Diatonic Bell Front Baritone 3-Valve w/ MTS Kicker
    V. F. Červený CEP-531 4-Valve Bohemian Oval "Baryton"
    Conn 60-I Wonderphone Double Bell 5-Valve Euphonium
    Besson 223 3-Valve Compensating BBb Tuba

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