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I've got a 1971 Besson New Standard and an old wooden case. The case has been used a lot and seen better days. I've repaired it and kept it going for several years, but it is getting to that point of no return.

Did Besson offer fiberglass cases for these horns? Do any of you Besson owners have any suggestions for suitable aftermarket hard cases for for these horns that don't cost a small fortune?

Thx

One of my band fellows played a band owned 15" bell Eb 3+1 comper. Which tells, that it was pre-1978.

It had a molded plastic case like the one of my own 19" Eb 981 comper from 1999. However I cannot after 12 years remember, whether it was an original or a secondary case.

Despite the introduction of the larger 19" bells on Eb’ as well as on BB’s, if 3+1 compers, in 1978 the dimensions from valve block through bottom bow stayed the same.

Some 8 years ago B&H/Besson changed the wrap of the 3+1 comper BBb and changed its number from 992 to 994. These two versions cannot share case sizes.

If you are on Eb, you should be able to use a modern case, if you do some filling with acid- and sulphur-free foam in the bell area.

These cases do not come cheap, and they are not safe in the sense of a flight-case. They will flex in the critical area of the valve block. They will not crack, which is not a good situation, as this fact will prevent you from claiming insurance money, if bad things happen during a flight. If no outer damage is visible, inner damages will not be recognised by insurance companies.

If at all possible, you should try out a case before entering a fixed deal.

Klaus Smedegaard Bjerre