TubeNet

Today I visited the Frankfurt Music Fair. And here is what I was told about the new life of Besson.

On the stand of Buffet Crampon (France) they showed Besson tubas. Buffet has bought the brandname and rights after Besson UK got bankrupt. But, in my view these instruments do not sound and feel like Besson did. Too light, sound somewhat hollow, poor valves.

On the stand of Schreiber & Keilwerth (Nauheim, Germany) they showed the new brand York. Their tubas sound and feel like Besson did. Schreiber already made the parts for Besson since several years before the bankruptcy. This company says to have bought all the equipment and forms from the UK factory. So, it seems that Besson has started a new life under the name York.

Prices: Besson (Buffet Crampon) EEb Euro 7068, BBb Euro 9114 (both compensated);
York EEb Euro 7768, BBb Euro 10.017 (both compensated).

Hubert

I've tried a prototype York BBb and didn't like it at all. Too "ringy". I've had an London Musical Instruments BBb for a week though, and it's fantastic. 10 times better than the York, although the model they make (York) could of course be completely different. The players from Black Dyke are going to Germany soon I think to work on it.The LMI is a great instrument though, and another Hybrid Besson in the pot!

So are the new Besson basically Courtois tubas re-branded as predicted?

So, would the new LMI horns be comparable to, say, a vintage (mid-late '50s) New Standard or B&H Imperial? (euphoniums, that is...)

Isn't JA Musik doing the manufacturing for both Courtois and Besson tubas?

Neptune wrote:So are the new Besson basically Courtois tubas re-branded as predicted?

No. I spoke with our Buffet rep when he was here in town a couple of weeks ago. He said they're being made by JA Musik/Meinl.

The new Besson euphonium and tuba are being made by JAMusik in Markneukirchen, Germany - about 500 meters away from the Schreiber-Keilworth factory. I was just there yesterday.

Once Besson was bought by Buffet, there was an agreement made with JAMusik (Gerhard Meinl) to produce the euphoniums, baritones, and tubas for Besson.

The future looks bright for Besson. I played the new Besson euphoniums and they are heads above the old instruments. Better sound, better build quality, and the Besson valve is now being made under the quality control specifications of JAMusik which means it has to be perfect.

I can't attest for the way their tubas play - but the quality of these instruments look and feel top notch. One of the best parts of these new instruments is the tooling. All of the tooling was redesigned with innovations in mind. Every aspect of the instruments were considered - and a lot of money was spent on retooling the Besson line of euphoniums, baritones, and tubas.

If anyone has any questions about the new product line from Besson, please check out Steve Mead's website for his update from the factory: http://www.euphonium.net/articles/besson/besson.html

Also, please feel free to PM or contact me with any questions!

Hope this helps.

- Pat Stuckemeyer

Am I right in assuming that Buffet/Besson don't have a BBb to try yet?

Yes, that's been the case for a few years. The 1000 series was made in India, and was OK as far as student lines go compared to some of the more "beauteous" brands!

Mike Johnson wrote:

AndyCat wrote:I've tried a prototype York BBb and didn't like it at all. Too "ringy". I've had an London Musical Instruments BBb for a week though, and it's fantastic. 10 times better than the York, although the model they make (York) could of course be completely different. The players from Black Dyke are going to Germany soon I think to work on it.The LMI is a great instrument though, and another Hybrid Besson in the pot!

York and LMI are made from the same parts!
LMI are assembled by the same people who made them at the Besson factory in Watford hence the dead feel to them!
I know a lot of British BBb players like the dead feel but it doesn't half limit what you can do with them!
Mike

Maybe, but it was unplayable above mf without breaking up in a band situation, as found by Danny at Dyke as well. And let's face it, their only really going to be a band instrument I presume.

Got Miraphones to try this week, but would like to try Besson's if they become available, and the altered York.

It seemed a good time to have money for 2 new brass band tubas, but it's turning out to be too confusing in reality!!

Mike Johnson wrote:Biggest problem is that they have made them thinner and lighter and that makes them break up quicker! Now if they only made them like they did in the old days!!!

Ahh, now that's what I'm talking about! i wish they did.

Anyway, if anyone knows when/if there's a Besson BBb to try, I'd be very interested.

And Mike, is it all to do with that lifted leadpipe on the York? I only know how it plays, not why!!