Besson Enharmonic Euphonium

Highams · Post by **Highams** » Thu May 20, 2004 2:46 pm

Just purchased (and awaiting delivery of) a Besson 4 valve Enharmonic Euphonium. These have no compensating system, but two sets of slides, front & back, like the full double French Horn. They even made B & E flat basses with this system but the obvious weight problems saw their demise.

Can't wait !

http://forum.alex281.com/album_pic.php?pic_id=146

Highams · Post by **Highams** » Thu May 20, 2004 4:30 pm

Sure, no problem, though it won't be for a few weeks until I get out of hospital. I plan to use it in my next recital in August.

www.euph9.freeserve.co.uk/recitals.htm

Lyle · Post by **Lyle** » Thu May 20, 2004 5:01 pm

I have a Besson Enharmonic 'Prototype' 4-valve compensating horn. I understand it is circa 1925. It seems to be a 3-vale compensator with a fourth side valve (the leadpipe enters the 3rd valve). After some work to improve intonation & remove dents, the horn plays great & is my backup horn.

Hope this helps.

Highams · Post by **Highams** » Sat May 22, 2004 4:33 am

A brief explanation.

On a 3 valve enharmonic (for example) the mouthpipe leads into the 3rd.valve. If the 3rd. valve is not used, the windway leads through into the 1st. & 2nd. valves in the normal way, and back through the 3rd. to the bell.

If the 3rd. is operated, the windway is lead through the 1st. & 2nd. valves by a different route. including a tuning slide, and in also going through different passages in the 1st. & 2nd. valves, will be directed through seperate longer loops of tubing (if the 1st. 2nd. are operated with the 3rd.).

The idea was that it is superior to the compensating system in that the windway is not required to pass through each valve more than once. Air is redirected back through on compensating loops. The obvious weight problems when you get to tubas in this range must have been enormous.

In 1913 this model retailed at Â£18 18 s.(old shillings).

www.euph9.freeserve.co.uk

Highams · Post by **Highams** » Fri May 28, 2004 11:19 am

Even more rare, an E flat tenor horn 'enharmonic'

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... %3AIT&rd=1

CB

Highams · Post by **Highams** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 4:01 am

It arrived yesterday and I was able to have a very gentle blow on it without too much discomfort.

It sounds great and is in good condition with only the creases in the bell to have work done on.

The usual slides that are on the front of the compensating euphs are now on the back. The longer extended ones that are brought in by using the 3rd. valve, are on the front, all have decent length tuning slides.

The 3rd. valve slide on the back loops through the 4th. valve when not in use, very clever.

The extra weight is noticeable when you first lift the instrument, but it's balanced qiute well considering.

www.euph9.freeserve.co.uk

Lyle · Post by **Lyle** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 9:46 am

Hi,
Glad you're enjoying the horn.
Your description fits my old Besson. What mouthpiece are you using? I currently use a Wick 5BS. The reciever is not really large enough for a 'Eurpoean' shank.

Lyle · Post by **Lyle** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 9:47 am

Hi,
Glad you're enjoying the horn.
Your description fits my old Besson. What mouthpiece are you using? I currently use a Wick 5BS. The reciever is not really large enough for a 'Eurpoean' shank.

Highams · Post by **Highams** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 1:58 pm

Hi Lyle,

I use a Doug Elliott screw rim/cup/shank set up that enables me to use 3 different shanks with the same mouthpiece, the modern day large bore, the 1960's medium bore and the vintage narrow bore.

www.euph9.freeserve.co.uk

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