Besson 995 CC

Chuck Jackson · Post by **Chuck Jackson** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 7:58 pm

What is the general concensus on this horn. I know some are in stock in the States. Anyone played one. Any comments/criticisms? TIA.

Chuck

tuba_bloke · Post by **tuba_bloke** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 12:42 am

Aren't the 995's Nirschl?

Rick Denney · Post by **Rick Denney** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 12:47 am

tuba_bloke wrote:Aren't the 995's Nirschl?

Designed by Nirschl, but built by Besson.

And that seems to sum up the things that I've heard: Great prototype; some excellent examples; much sample variation with a few stinkers. Good design but poor quality control.

Rick "reporting hearsay" Denney

Rick Denney · Post by **Rick Denney** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 12:02 pm

Mike Johnson wrote:Actually, they are designed and built in the Nirschl factory.

That's different than the scuttlebutt--thanks for the info.

But it doesn't change the hearsay about inconsistency.

I don't know how Besson (separate issue from Nirschl, I realize) will get a handle on quality control until they have business model that allows production by qualified technicians. And their business models are all tangled up in various acquisition schemes, it seems to me. I know from experience that it's extremely hard to stay focused on product quality when the finances of the company are in a state of disarray, especially when quality control was one of the reasons for being in disarray in the first place. I do wish them luck--they have a major challenge in front of them.

I really think Hirsbrunner, Rudolf Meinl, and Gronitz provide better business models for tubas--very high-end products with lots of careful hand work, limited production, high prices, and targeted to a small market willing to pay those prices. Going after the school market is the ticket to big business, but it's highly risky, it seems to me.

Rick "thinking more consolidation is on the way for companies with big school-targeted product lines" Denney

MaryAnn · Post by **MaryAnn** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 2:33 pm

Apparently you missed my raving after trying Sam Pilafian's 995, which of course is a good one. I didn't know about the inconsistency issues, and interestingly enough no one brought them up at the time. When I get the $$ I'm going to combine a visit to WWBW with a visit to my mother in Indy, and do some play testing. Roger offered me the "cook's tour" which I will gladly do.

MA, whose paws are probably too small anyway

jon112780 · Post by **jon112780** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 3:28 pm

After trying a bunch of them, I bought one in November from BW and am quite pleased with it. The color might not be as quite as dark as a PT6 of a Rudy Meinl, but it is very nimble and has a great low range. This was my first contrabass tuba I've owned; my other horn is a 983 which I've had since '99.

The 995 was the closest thing to my Eb- I thought it played and felt like a BIG Eb, but was the next size up and helped me get around in the low range, and up until now I HAD to make my Eb work for all situations, now I just don't have to push hard when playing down low, just put a little more air in the horn it just comes out much easier. Granted, the 983 does have a good low end, but it's just much easier now playing low. Would I ever sell the 995? I don't know, but I'm still getting used to it and would hang on to it for a good year to have time to become really comfortable with it, but I like it a lot. Go try one for yourself! If you live in MI and really want to try it, send me an email.

Schultz

Matt G · Post by **Matt G** » Fri May 06, 2005 12:06 am

"Mouthpiece sensitive" gets thrown around a lot when this horn is brought up.

I played a couple at Dillon's when the first shipment came over. I thought both of them had some serious issues. The Nirscl 4/4 is far better from the examples I've tried. In fact, old B&M 4/4 CC's are better than the Besson 995's, IMVHO.

However, the inconsistency of this horn leads me to believe that an excellent example can be had. However, one has to have some patience and no immediate need to buy a horn to go shopping for this particular model.

TubaJulio · Post by **TubaJulio** » Fri May 06, 2005 4:43 am

I own this horn. I like it alot. Getting what I need done done. The only problem was that the horn was play awfully sharp. So Matt at Dillon's extended the length of the tuning slide.
Julio

Arkietuba · Post by **Arkietuba** » Fri May 06, 2005 11:09 am

I recently tried the 995 at the GPRTEC a week ago. I tried against the Miraphone 1291 and Meinl Weston 2155 that WWBW had on display. The 995 just wasn't that great when compared to the others. I also hated the tuning ring on the 2nd valve slide (I was afraid that I was going to break it off). IMO the 2155 is the best between the three. The 1291 was great and really easy to blow air through, but the 2155 was better.

MaryAnn · Post by **MaryAnn** » Fri May 06, 2005 12:13 pm

Matthew Gilchrest wrote:"Mouthpiece sensitive" gets thrown around a lot when this horn is brought up.

Interesting....when I played Sam's I used a PT-64, which was what I had with me. Not usually considered a CC mouthpiece; however the horn played really well with it, including the low range. (Epecially the low range, which is what wowed me.) I noted Sam was also using an older PT somewhat larger than the one I was using. He commented that the 64 was working well, also.

MA, who still wants a tuba this size and playability but who is waiting for the bank account to reach 4/4 size.