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The music director of the brass band I play in has asked my opinion on whether he should purchase a set of Besson International tubas for the band to use, specifically the new 794 BBb and 782 Eb. The price he was quoted is REALLY low and seems on the surface to be a good deal. However, I know nothing about these tubas, never having played one.

I’m assuming they are Chinese-built? They’d have to be for the price we were quoted. For those in the know, how do they compare to Wessex, Packer, or even the real-deal Sovereign tubas in terms of quality, durability, intonation, etc?

Our director is from England and wants the band on all correct equipment, and really wants us all on Bessons if possible, but I’m thinking these are a bit too good to be true.

Thanks for any info you can provide.

China meaning, they may have the Besson name on them but.....

The new International production is at the Buffet owned factory in China- Wind. Excellent control there. The older models were UK.

I guess the question is how they compare to the JP Line, and the JP "sterling" line, which are marketed as Professional level horns.

For me, I'm in a holding pattern until next year, when I plan to get some type of Eb 3+1 compensating horn. Gotta save up the moneys first. But, whatever I buy, that'll probably be it, for at least 10 years or more. So I want to make sure what I buy will last.

Doc wrote:That JP 377 Sterling EEb is a superb tuba!

Baltimore Brass has a used one right now... tempting. I'm not in the market though, gotta sell off guitars and amps first, and actually get better at playing the tuba I do have.

Is there a list somewhere of where different tuba manufacturers make their tubas?

Renodoc wrote:Is there a list somewhere of where different tuba manufacturers make their tubas?

Well, with some makers, it depends on what level of tuba you have.

With Besson, the Student and Intermediate "international" series are made in China. The professional series are made in the big factory in Germany where all of the Buffet Crampon brand tubas are.

John Packer tubas are all made in China. They have some high end ones that were designed in cooperation with Sterling in the UK.

Wessex, Big Mouth Brass, Mack Brass etc are all made in China.

Yamaha I think makes all the tubas in Japan, but they may have outsourced the student models, like many companies.