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Does anyone have a lead on where I can scrounge up a replacement leadpipe for a vintage besson 3V bell up compensating euphonium? Thanks for your input!

bloke wrote:In the pictures that I just googled, they don't look much different from 4-comp 'pipes...

Would something like a Yamaha 642 or 842 'pipe be out of the question? I believe the 842 'pipe is somewhat taller than the 642. If your zig-zag doesn't drift really high up on the bell, maybe - ?? - the 642 would be a better choice...

Would it be cheaper to buy a generic mouth pipe from Allied Supply and have a tech bend it into shape? (I remember getting a quote for a 642 pipe and it was quite expensive...probably as much as the value of these 3v bessons...)

With that pipe the shape it is, it might be cheaper to buy it outright.

How different are the pipes on the modern Besson horns? Could you get one from Buffet Crampon?

bloke wrote:I can't imagine a 642 mouthpipe tube retailing for much more than $100.

If you asked me to make you one from scratch (or even from some straight/filled-with-pitch thing) - and offered me $100 to do it - you would get the (very respectfully submitted, though ) DP "pfft".

I was quoted $450 CDN for a 642 lead pipe .... Maybe the mark-up here is really bad..(but this was a while back when our dollar was worth a lot less...)

PMeuph wrote:

bloke wrote:I can't imagine a 642 mouthpipe tube retailing for much more than $100.

If you asked me to make you one from scratch (or even from some straight/filled-with-pitch thing) - and offered me $100 to do it - you would get the (very respectfully submitted, though ) DP "pfft".

I was quoted $450 CDN for a 642 lead pipe .... Maybe the mark-up here is really bad..(but this was a while back when our dollar was worth a lot less...)

* I just googled it and it seems your price is right...(there were some terrible stores where I use to live...)

Bloke...if you're serious about making me that leadpipe I'll take you up on it. I'm in Tampa, FL. My e-mail is dahmnoyes1@tampabay.rr.com" target="_blank

Bloke...that's what I was afraid of. Thanks for your humorous and practical input. I guess I'll just keep looking on ebay for a very beat up Besson with a magically intact leadpipe.

The question no one else has asked: what is wrong with the current pipe? Is it rotted out? Just dents? Is it missing altogether?

If you can't find a pipe and you want to sell your horn, I will buy it if the price is right.

76tbone wrote:Does anyone have a lead on where I can scrounge up a replacement leadpipe for a vintage besson 3V bell up compensating euphonium? Thanks for your input!

I've had pretty good luck finding old Besson parts here:

Paul Gardner - sales@windcraft.co.uk" target="_blank
Jim Pagington - Jim.Pagington@tiscali.co.uk" target="_blank or jp.brass@lineone.net" target="_blank

Both are in the UK and offer experience with Bessons that were made in London.

Forget trying to adapt the modern Besson stuff.... which isn't English at all any more.

Good point! The mouthpipe was twisted a bit where it should normally bend, narrowing the mouthpipe at that point to 1/2 the diameter it should have at that spot, essentially making it have an oval cross-section rather than a round one. It plays very well except that a few notes seem thin and slightly strained compared to the others. I did put $214 into it, which I thought was a great deal if I could get a replacement pipe. If you want it for that, I'm happy to sell it to you as I have no one that will bother looking for a replacement pipe here. If you want to see pictures of the horn--it was ebay item 280711300603

Well, that's what I figured--duh...but the guy I brought it to for an estimate wouldn't touch it, even though his place advertises that they can ressurect almost anything.