1978 Besson euphonium question

[Carroll]

Roy,

While I am neither Mr. Highams nor Mr. Denney, I do have some experience with 70's model Imperials. I own one that I bought for $250.00 from an ill-advised college freshman. It is a wonderful horn. I only replaced it when a student of mine fell over, and then onto, the horn. I had it repaired, but it has never been quite the same. The third player in my quartet is using it now.

There has been much concern expressed on this board about the plating on the valves on these horns. Try to get the seller to send you a photograph of the valves out of their casings. If you see a lot of wear around the bottoms (or rust) you should probably take care in bidding. The price seems a little high, to me, for an instrument of this age.

If you do purchase it, I hope you are as happy with yours as I have been with mine.

Carroll

[Highams]

Good advice from Carroll, unfortunately, things won't reveal themselves until you actually play the instrument.

It would be a great advantage to 'try before you buy' or at least get it on a trial basis for about a week.

Good luck,

Charley
www.euph9.freeserve.co.uk