Opinions on Besson 983 Eb Tubas

MikeMilnarik · Post by **MikeMilnarik** » Sat Sep 03, 2011 10:27 pm

What are your personal opinions on this model? How's the pitch in general? How consistent are they pitch wise from horn to horn? How's the low register? Other thoughts?

Thank you all in advance for any information you can provide.

Mike Milnarik

Chadtuba · Post by **Chadtuba** » Sat Sep 03, 2011 11:28 pm

I love my 983 and have had it as my only tuba for the last 5 or so years. The F, F#, and G at the top of the staff need to use alternate fingerings but I don't find it to be a huge deal. I've played two other 983's and found all three horns to be consistent in their sound with the same tuning issues. The low range is just a tad stuffy, but easily worked through with practice.

My opinion, this is a solid do it all horn.

MikeMilnarik · Post by **MikeMilnarik** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 6:12 pm

Thank you!

TheHatTuba · Post by **TheHatTuba** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 7:45 pm

LJV wrote: German built version MUCH heavier and of a different character of sound than English built ones.

how do ya tell the difference?

Kevin Hendrick · Post by **Kevin Hendrick** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 8:36 pm

TheHatTuba wrote:
LJV wrote: German built version MUCH heavier and of a different character of sound than English built ones.
how do ya tell the difference?

You roll it in flour and ... no, wait ... sorry, wrong thread!

Seriously, though, "weighing it" sounds like a plan -- just need to know the (approximate) weights of the English and German versions.

shinytuba7 · Post by **shinytuba7** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 9:32 pm

Besides looking at the tuba and seeing if it says "Made in England" or "Made in Germany", the British-made ones usually have what looks like a patch on the bottom bow. I don't really know what else to call it.

Wyvern · Post by **Wyvern** » Tue Sep 06, 2011 5:02 am

shinytuba7 wrote:Besides looking at the tuba and seeing if it says "Made in England" or "Made in Germany", the British-made ones usually have what looks like a patch on the bottom bow. I don't really know what else to call it.

Do the new Besson really have 'Made in Germany' on them? I must look the next show I visit.

That patch was a left over from when they used to put the nut-cracker ball on the bottom bow of Besson/B&H.

shinytuba7 · Post by **shinytuba7** » Tue Sep 06, 2011 8:08 am

Neptune wrote:
shinytuba7 wrote:Besides looking at the tuba and seeing if it says "Made in England" or "Made in Germany", the British-made ones usually have what looks like a patch on the bottom bow. I don't really know what else to call it.
Do the new Besson really have 'Made in Germany' on them? I must look the next show I visit.

That patch was a left over from when they used to put the nut-cracker ball on the bottom bow of Besson/B&H.

Yep, my 980 says it in two places I believe. On the leadpipe and on the bell. I'll double check and post if I find something different than what my memory is telling me.

TubeNet

Opinions on Besson 983 Eb Tubas

Opinions on Besson 983 Eb Tubas

Re: Opinions on Besson 983 Eb Tubas

Re: Opinions on Besson 983 Eb Tubas

Re: Opinions on Besson 983 Eb Tubas

Re: Opinions on Besson 983 Eb Tubas

Re: Opinions on Besson 983 Eb Tubas

Re: Opinions on Besson 983 Eb Tubas

Re: Opinions on Besson 983 Eb Tubas