1970s Besson New Standard Euphonium Finger Buttons Thread Size

[bpwilliams]

Hello all.
Does anyone know the thread size of 1970s Besson New Standard euphonium finger buttons? If not, does anyone know what brand(s) of finger buttons will fit?
Thank you.

[franz]

The conical finger buttons of the old Bessons are truly horrible: the support surface is too small and slippery which, with springs of a certain consistency, cause pain in the fingertips. I replaced mine with Sovreign 967/968 ones purchased from Dawkes Music Ltd. You can also find them at Steven Mead's online shop at a cheaper price.

[Shinn]

You can also find them at Steven Mead's online shop at a cheaper price.

https://www.euphoniumstore.net/besso...-968-sold-as-1

[TheJH]

maybe there's a difference between the New Standard eupho and baritone finger buttons, but I actually quite like the conical finger buttons on my NS baritone. no issues with slipperiness or anything like that.

[highpitch]

The original NS buttons and caps were machined from solid brass in a very 'artful' style.

The current style of valve buttons just overly wide discs, moreso on tubas.

Changing them is like changing the hood ornament on a classic car...

So there!

[TedZateslo]

Did the thread size change from British to German Besson production? A year or so ago I wanted to replace the lost lyre holder screw on my 1989 Sovereign and discovered that the thread was an obscure British standard, and not readily available to the local shop.

[Shinn]

The original NS buttons and caps were machined from solid brass in a very 'artful' style.

The current style of valve buttons just overly wide discs, moreso on tubas.

Changing them is like changing the hood ornament on a classic car...

So there!

Link to Oberloh’s recreation of original New Standard valve bottoms, tops, and buttons~

http://www.oberloh.com/gallery/bessoncaps.htm

[bpwilliams]

My 1981 Sovereign's finger buttons don't fit my 1970 Besson New Standard. FWIW, my 1962 Imperial and my 1970 New Standard share the same finger buttons.

[iMav]

While it is irrelevant to this conversation... I can confirm that the Adams, John Packer, Schiller, and Monzani horns I've owned all share the same finger button threading...

[daruby]

Hi all,

I was able to interchange finger buttons between my 1980 Sovereign (Globe Stamp), 2002 Sovereign (late English), 2007 Prestige (German), and 2009 Sterling. The caveat is that the stock Bauerfeind finger buttons on my Sterling had too large of a diameter so the button would clang on the Besson valve caps (regardless of model or year). So the Besson buttons worked on the Sterling but not vice-versa. I had a spare set of Prestige finger buttons that I used on my Sterling because I liked the more rounded feel and the black insert. Those buttons eventually ended up on my 2002 Sovereign which was modified to a "no trigger" Prestige spec with straightened York leadpipe, mid-leadpipe brace, and gold trim ala Prestige.

I have three sets of buttons for my Adams and Sterling. All interchange.

Doug

[Jim Babbitt]

To all:
Pulled a finger button off my New Standard 484___.
My screw ID gauge says it is an 8-32, number 8 bolt with 32 thread.
Jim

[franz]

My 1981 Sovereign's finger buttons don't fit my 1970 Besson New Standard. FWIW, my 1962 Imperial and my 1970 New Standard share the same finger buttons.

These are the ones I put on my 1973 New Standard and they fit great!
https://www.dawkes.co.uk/spare-parts/euphonium/besson
Here they are at a cheaper price!
https://www.euphoniumstore.net/besso...-968-sold-as-1

[bpwilliams]

To all:
Pulled a finger button off my New Standard 484___.
My screw ID gauge says it is an 8-32, number 8 bolt with 32 thread.
Jim

Thank you so much!!

[bpwilliams]

These are the ones I put on my 1973 New Standard and they fit great!
https://www.dawkes.co.uk/spare-parts/euphonium/besson
Here they are at a cheaper price!
https://www.euphoniumstore.net/besso...-968-sold-as-1

Thank you. I purchased 4.

[bpwilliams]

FWIW: A nut with M4 x 0.7 fit the Besson New Standard finger button screw.