Besson 3 valve compensator type/model???

P@rick · Post by **P@rick** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 4:08 pm

Iâ€™m looking for a used Bb tuba. Yesterday I played a Besson 3 valve compensator. It was satin silver and was this model:

The Bell was engraved (something like) Besson England and had a knob on the bottom bow.

Is it correct that this model (3 valve compensator) is also available with the engravings â€œnew standardâ€

iiipopes · Post by **iiipopes** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 7:10 am

Indeed. At the time it was made, there was only one model of Besson 3-valve BBb compensating bass. It may have different model numbers, but it's just generally known as the 3-valve comp.

"Class A" and some of the other markings were usually on the Boosey & Hawkes version -- after the merger, same instrument, different cosmetics (overgeneralization, but not too far off), with B&H going more towards military bands, and the Besson going to brass bands.

I'm surprised you found a Besson in silverplate. Most, including mine, were lacquered, and now most look like the picture you posted, again, including mine.

Any other markings, like "Westminster," "Oxford," or such are usually the non-comp and student versions. The serial number is usually on the bell above the leadpipe. You can cross reference it a number of different places, including here:

http://www.saxworx.com/boozy2.htm

So, tell us how you think it plays. Everyone already knows what I think.

P@rick · Post by **P@rick** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 9:03 am

I just requested the seller for the serial number of the tuba. The valve caps do not have the characteristics of the "new standard" models (trapezium). This tuba has small ridges around the valve caps. Can it be that this is a tuba from after the merge (Besson and B&H) and is stamped "Besson England"? Does this mean I need to check the Boosey & Hawkes serial number list to look up the age?

The tuba plays wonderful (or was it me

). I was really impressed. It plays light but has a rich full sound. No fuzziness at all and great intonation.

Thanks for your info so far!

Wilco · Post by **Wilco** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 10:01 am

iiipopes wrote:.

I'm surprised you found a Besson in silverplate. Most, including mine, were lacquered, and now most look like the picture you posted, again, including mine.

Not so in The Netherlands, I've never seen a laquered one!

Maybe a tradition? The Bessons of today (4-valve comps) are genarally in silver (brassband tradition??).

P@rick · Post by **P@rick** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 10:18 am

Wilco wrote:
iiipopes wrote:.

I'm surprised you found a Besson in silverplate. Most, including mine, were lacquered, and now most look like the picture you posted, again, including mine.
Not so in The Netherlands, I've never seen a laquered one! Maybe a tradition? The Bessons of today (4-valve comps) are genarally in silver (brassband tradition??).

Hi Wilco, I've also never seen a laquered one. Only silver ones like the one on "2ehands.nl"

.

Rick Denney · Post by **Rick Denney** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 1:55 pm

I have a Besson euphonium marked "Besson / England" with a serial number in that half millions. It's a pre-Sovereign four-valve compensator, but it has a large receiver. That confirms the serial number dating to about 1974. It is not marked with either a model or a model number, but the only visible difference between it and a Sovereign are spit valves on more than the main and first slides. It has the New Standard-style trapezoid-shaped valve buttons, but you never know with valve buttons.

During that time, as I recall from having this discussion before, Besson was transitioning to the Sovereign line and turning out instruments using collections of parts that were not always consistent.

The picture shown above looks to be about the same vintage as my euphonium. Many of those three-valve compensators are lovely instruments to play.

Rick "noting that Besson markings are often frustratingly obscure" Denney

iiipopes · Post by **iiipopes** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 5:06 pm

P@rick wrote: I just requested the seller for the serial number of the tuba. The valve caps do not have the characteristics of the "new standard" models (trapezium). This tuba has small ridges around the valve caps. Can it be that this is a tuba from after the merge (Besson and B&H) and is stamped "Besson England"? Does this mean I need to check the Boosey & Hawkes serial number list to look up the age?

The tuba plays wonderful (or was it me ). I was really impressed. It plays light but has a rich full sound. No fuzziness at all and great intonation.

Thanks for your info so far!

The link I gave has serial number charts for almost all of the different configurations of the companies on one page.

P@rick · Post by **P@rick** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 8:04 am

It was a tuba with serial number 649966. It included an original hardcase and is just sold for 1100,-. Too bad, I would have gladly bought it for that money

, but my current tuba is not sold yet.

Selling your tuba before you can buy another is a bitch

Patrick