Opinion: YEP321 or BE7065?

Bob Mosso · Post by **Bob Mosso** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 1:04 pm

I'm looking for some advise.

Which one would you choose?
Yamaha YEP-321S for $1764, or
Besson BE7065-2-0 for $2000
Why?

The entire story: I ordered a YEP-321S on 1/14, it's on back order thru Yamaha, expected ship date from Yamaha to WWBW 2/12, expected ship date from WWBW to me 2/27. I have a concert on March 1st, my old Buescher is functional but a bit of an eyesore. They have a Besson 7065-2-0 (silver) in stock.

Regards,
Bob

Bob Mosso · Post by **Bob Mosso** » Tue Feb 01, 2005 12:23 pm

Thanks Tom & LV.

The Besson looks great on paper, large shank, larger bore, SS valves, ... I though it would get a few recommendations...?

Are there any other 4 valve non-comp Euphoniums worth considering? The Willson 2704 also looks good on paper but isn't in the same price range.

Bob

Will · Post by **Will** » Tue Feb 01, 2005 3:31 pm

My 321S has been a tank the last 10 years I've owned it. I used it all through middle school, high school, youth symphony (for "The Planets" and "Pines of Rome"), and college. It still plays great, except for the plastic valve guides failing on me a month ago.

As for the shank, I had a large shank installed and it plays better now than it did before. It wasn't expensive at all, either.

Captain Sousie · Post by **Captain Sousie** » Tue Feb 01, 2005 5:36 pm

I have played on one of the willson 2704 euphs. In my opinion, there is no non-compensating euph that can compare to the willson. It has a beatiful, round tone and has a lot of room for 'pushing' the sound. The one I played was outfitted with a schilke 51D and I still have good memories of the sound I got with that. It made the 321S that I was playing sound like a tin can.

Good luck finding the right euph for you.
Sousie

Bob Mosso · Post by **Bob Mosso** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 11:58 am

Captain Sousie wrote:I have played on one of the willson 2704 euphs. ... It made the 321S that I was playing sound like a tin can.

Wow, thats a strong recommendation for the Willson! But I don't feel worthy of such an expensive instrument (approx twice the price of the 321). I just joined a community band after 20 years of not playing, I need to get my lip back into shape. Maybe after a couple years on a cheaper euph I'll consider a better one.

I already have a 51D mouthpiece, the 321 comes with a 48. I expect the 51D will help darken the sound even more.

Regards,
Bob

9811matt · Post by **9811matt** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 12:00 pm

Have you considered the Allora euphonium?

It's a Brasswind house brand horn, but it's made in germany, is $1599 for a silver plated model, and when I played one at the Brasswind's booth at the midwest clinic, I found it to play as well as my Yamaha 642. The only thing you'd be giving up is the compensating feature, but if I were to be left on a desert island with a non-compensating instrument, I'd take the Allora over the Willson or Yamaha 321.

Also, the 321 has that low leadpipe... The Allora is sized for adults.

-Matt Summers