Q about Besson 993 Bb

[peter birch]

hi, i have a question about Besson tuba.
i'm about to buy tuba second hand besson 993 Bb. that man bought his tuba 12 years ago and sold it for 4500$ do you think its an a worth price ?
i tried to search the price for one hand but could not find for besson 993 Bb. can you help me with that ?
and i dont really know about Besson company , its a good tuba for solo or you know more than just a hobby .
does besson 993 including compensating system ?

thanks hope for someone to help me .

yes it is a compensated tuba, it is considered to be a professional level instrument, I'm not sure that we would consider it to be a soloists instrument, but Besson is a good name in brass instruments can't comment on the price though

[Wilco]

This is a big tuba...... Not a solo instrument at all

[jon112780]

I found the low end to be a bit stuffy, but still a decent horn. for the $$$, I would find a used 186 BBb; unles you really like the compensating system.

[ginnboonmiller]

If it's really hard to find a good tuba there, then the price is perfect if you can afford it and can't find a better one. You'll probably have a hard time selling it there, too, so it doesn't really matter that much.

[Alex C]

What other used tubas can you buy for $4500? There is a pretty good selection at that price, you should make comparisons.

[bbocaner]

1999 wouldn't be a wonderful year for Besson as that was during one of their dips in quality, but it could be OK. $4500 is not an unreasonable price if it's in really good shape. I think there are probably better deals out there...

[Bob Kolada]

The one I played was rather nice, and reminiscent sound-wise of a 1291 C (not the Bb). It is however wrapped very large and has a super long valve throw. It's super awkward to hold, and I think the Willson 3100 everyone complains about is fine.
For 4500 you could get close to a real 1291 Bb, get a 191, or get 2 Chinese 1291 Bb's. I'd look into one of those directions.

[imperialbari]

The price does not sound very attractive to me, but the local market may be a factor.

Please tell which country you come from.

Klaus

[imperialbari]

You are not the first Israeli tubist to complain lack of selection in your local tuba market. I live in a country not much bigger than yours, and we are not very much better off within our own borders. Many, if not all, pro-level tubists here travel to other countries to buy.

I will not dis-encourage you, but on the other hand you may be best served with honesty. Another poster implicitly hints the same way as my thoughts go. The 993 maybe isn’t the most successful BBb from Besson. There also have been doubts expressed about some of their other newer BBb models, whereas the older 17" models are more accepted, even if they maybe not are the most elegant contrabass tubas ever made. I have such a Besson from 1970, which I like, even if it is a heavy devil to handle for me.

Your country is known for fine musicians, who tend to travel a lot. Maybe you could team up with a tubist going abroad with his orchestra. I guess there are TubeNetters willing to help you searching the market for options in the places where such tubist might go.

Klaus