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Thread: Besson Prestige 2052-2 Euphonium

  1. #11
    Hello Magikarp,

    I have to admit that I found your post really interesting to be honest with you. I cannot wait to see a full review of your new Adams E2 Euphonium!

    Best Wishes,

    Micah Dominic Parsons
    Best Wishes,

    Micah Dominic Parsons

    Website - https://mdpmicahdominicpar.wixsite.com/my-site
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  2. #12
    Speaking of the Besson Prestige, I'm curious how much truth there is to the rumor that Besson sends their "weaker" examples of their instruments to the US market. A friend of mine purchased one of the gold lacquered Prestiges a few years ago that he special ordered through a local dealer (not mine), and it's a DOG. Finger button inlays popping off, trigger mechanism exploding during rehearsals, etc., etc. He seems like like it fine, but I do feel a bit bad for him because I think at that price brand new, quality should be a non-issue.
    Sean Kissane
    Low Brass Specialist, Paige's Music
    Principal Euphonium, Indianapolis Brass Choir
    Principal Euphonium, Crossroads Brass Band

  3. #13
    Quote Originally Posted by spkissane View Post
    Speaking of the Besson Prestige, I'm curious how much truth there is to the rumor that Besson sends their "weaker" examples of their instruments to the US market. A friend of mine purchased one of the gold lacquered Prestiges a few years ago that he special ordered through a local dealer (not mine), and it's a DOG. Finger button inlays popping off, trigger mechanism exploding during rehearsals, etc., etc. He seems like like it fine, but I do feel a bit bad for him because I think at that price brand new, quality should be a non-issue.
    I’ve said Besson are comically overpriced, even when you’d get 30% off without asking. A Besson Prestige is the better part of £2000 more expensive than my Adams E2. I suppose like BMW and Mercedes they’re trading off a long established reputation for excellence that doesn’t chime with the reality.

    Also they have recently introduced a huge number of artists, most of whom I’ve never heard of, so I’d guess the consumer subsidises the deals those players get. Someone I know mentioned they were trying to become an artist in association with certain brands, and it previously never occurred to me that a) people have the nerve to ask, b) are so confident that them merely becoming associated with a brand will generate new sales opportunities for said brand, and c) would want to limit themselves to one brand. I also found the suggestion vaguely insulting to someone who spend their own hard earned money on hooters because they wish to improve.
    It was especially amusing when they mentioned that one of the brands being contacted had been rejected in favour of another! Cheap.

    Having owned approximately thirteen Boosey / Besson instruments, unless they actually start developing and innovating, I’d not buy another, especially when you consider the Blue Peter style flimsy cases.
    Nowt

    Retired

  4. #14
    Quote Originally Posted by spkissane View Post
    Speaking of the Besson Prestige, I'm curious how much truth there is to the rumor that Besson sends their "weaker" examples of their instruments to the US market. A friend of mine purchased one of the gold lacquered Prestiges a few years ago that he special ordered through a local dealer (not mine), and it's a DOG. Finger button inlays popping off, trigger mechanism exploding during rehearsals, etc., etc. He seems like like it fine, but I do feel a bit bad for him because I think at that price brand new, quality should be a non-issue.
    I can speak anecdotally to this, as I bought a gold lacquered prestige initially from Thomann in Germany because there weren't any available in the USA according to the distributor. I got it and it played great, but there was a huge quality control issue where the first valve casing had been wrecked by the honing machine, and apparently nobody caught it. (I posted pictures on the forum which I'm sure you can find if you search)

    I subsequently returned it and got one from the USA, and this one has a proper valve section. (yay).

    The USA horn plays just as well as the one from Germany. That said, I think when you buy a Besson, there are the obvious trade offs - the intonation is always going to be suspect. In fact, I'm forever searching for a horn that will sound like this while actually being in tune without working the trigger so much. (Waiting to receive a shires solo to try).

    No different than a lot of brands that have long standing and well known issues with intonation (willson's flat A, etc).

    I recall Dave Werden mentioning somewhere else that it used to be that when a new batch was finished at the factory, UK players would go pick them out at the factory, taking the best examples. This would lead to inferior horns in the USA market even through no conspiratorial action of besson. This seems plausible to me.

    That said, my prestige also has has finger button inserts pop off. The trigger mechanism is solid though. I agree that at this price, the horn should function without ANY issues. Comically overpriced indeed. I once heard a besson artist say "If besson is going to keep charging 10 grand for their horns, they better figure out how to make them play in tune". Maybe your friend got an "end of the day on Friday" horn.
    Mike Taylor

    Illinois Brass Band
    Fox Valley Brass Band

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