Posted by Chuck(G) on January 27, 2001 at 19:34:09:
In Reply to: Besson Compensating 3 Valve BBb posted by Chuck Jackson on January 26, 2001 at 22:06:54:
They remind me of overgrown euphoniums; they have a very sweet sound. I had one a couple of years ago that I paid $500 for; I loved the sound, but couldn't get past the top-action valves (blur out of my left eye). Out of frustration, I donated it to the university. Tall and heavy, murder on you if you don't saw off the ball on the bottom.
Nathan Turner was trying to sell his CC version of this horn in a 3+1 configuration. Richard Frazier still has his 3+1 Besson CC, though the 4th valve, unlike Nathan's was added later. Very nice playing instruments, but as top-action, really bucking the trend.