Imperial Euphonium

Highams · Post by **Highams** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 10:50 am

Just finished servicing/cleaning an Imperial (in all but the bell) 4v compensating Euphonium dating around 1980 for a friend. It has the frosted matt finish that was popular then and has the smaller bell, simply engraved Made by Besson.

http://s91.photobucket.com/albums/k309/ ... ?start=all

I remember these well and played the large bell model at that time;

http://s91.photobucket.com/albums/k309/ ... ackjkt.jpg

don't laugh at the hair!

CB

OldsRecording · Post by **OldsRecording** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 3:53 pm

I used to have an older Besson (I believe of early 70's vintage) In some ways I liked it better than the Sovereign I have now, although some notes (particularly high 'e' [concert pitch]) were very out of tune. I seem to remember the Besson horn being called a '181' or 'New Standard'.

As for the hair, it was more of a wince than a laugh, recalling every picture of me that was taken between ca. 1978-1985.

Highams · Post by **Highams** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 5:00 pm

Indeed, tuning on this one has the usual suspect top notes and the bell flare is really too narrow for a 4v comp. of this bore.

But still a nice period example in v.good condition.

CB

OldsRecording · Post by **OldsRecording** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 5:16 pm

Highams wrote:Indeed, tuning on this one has the usual suspect top notes and the bell flare is really too narrow for a 4v comp. of this bore.

But still a nice period example in v.good condition.

CB

Does it have the 11" bell and the middle-sized leadpipe?

Highams · Post by **Highams** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 6:10 pm

No, it's a real cross breed, 10" bell, large bass trombone receiver & m/pipe, large bore 4th. valve.

CB

OldsRecording · Post by **OldsRecording** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 4:34 pm

Highams wrote:No, it's a real cross breed, 10" bell, large bass trombone receiver & m/pipe, large bore 4th. valve.

CB

That is wierd. Is that the original leadpipe or a transplant from a hapless Sovereign?

Highams · Post by **Highams** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 5:02 pm

All original.

There were many of these lying around the factory at that time. With the introduction of the Sovereign, they had to out these leftover instruments.

The wonderful late Barrie Perrins told me of many euphs made up of just spare parts in the factory at that time.

CB

OldsRecording · Post by **OldsRecording** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 7:47 pm

Highams wrote:
The wonderful late Barrie Perrins told me of many euphs made up of just spare parts in the factory at that time.

CB

Hmmm... I wonder if doing things like that was one of the factors that eventually led to Besson/ B&H's downfall.

Highams · Post by **Highams** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 3:21 am

Not really, with the arrival of the new Sovereign, these were just old stock, some were later put out as the 700 series.

CB

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