Besson Bells, York style Copies?

[USStuba04]

i was wondering if the besson 19 inch bells are copied from same type of york bell much like the getzen is...

i recently played a 981 or 982 or something like (the one with 19 inch bell)

and i loved the high register,

i like it better than the 983 but i cant get used to the 3 + 1 valve set-up

and i also like the way the old york Eb with 19-20 inch bells play with the front action valves

so i was wondering if the bells are all the same type...

thanks guys,
E

[Tom]

I don't know much about the Besson, but I know the Getzen bell was copied from a York Monster Eb bell of about 20" for sure. The Besson's I've seen had similar bells, but were always seemed a little taller than the Yorks I've seen, however I think it's safe to say they are both the same type of bell: short pancake types with rapid flares.

[T. J. Ricer]

i was wondering if the besson 19 inch bells are copied from same type of york bell much like the getzen is...

The York bells are fatter on the bottom where they meet the body of the instrument, so they aren't interchangeable like the Getzen (and I think the Conn bells are based on the same ones, too).

--T. J.