[milandro]

I was wondering what is the general opinion and if any one has some first hand information on these horns .

I haven't been able to find much ifo around, if not that the company was absorbed in the '50 by Selmer. Other than that, not much here or elsewhere.

Opinions on their tenors and altos?

They turn up regularly for not too much money. Of course I am aware of the Indian fakes with this brandname engraved on (and the same serial number on every piece!)

 

[Carl H.]

Someone donated one to the school where I used to teach sax. It was pretty old, I don't recall how old, but it had the trill G key and forked Eb. It had been fully gone over and was in pretty nice condition. It's ergos were typical of a vintage horn. Reasonable for its vintage. Intonation was awful, and no getting around it with the mouthpieces at my disposal - small to huge chambers (Dukoff to Goldbeck and everything in between) all played fine but intonation was a mess.

Unless it's free, I'd pass on it for anything but a decoration.

Forgot to mention it was a silver plated low pitch alto.

 

[milandro]

another problem with Besson is that there are for sure (I've seen a soprano) HP horns made as late as the '50 still around in a similar way as there are HP Dolnets (as I said we had marching bands using HP instruments until the late '70 in Holland and many turn up, in almost pristine state, see the HP saga of the Dolnets).

This one I saw looks very beautiful, I haven't had to chance to play it.

 

[milandro]

I have my eye on a Besson Baritone, has anyone any experience with this?

 

[jthole]

I have my eye on a Besson Baritone, has anyone any experience with this?

I guess that is the one for sale at Adams? Did you play it? What's your opinion?

Thanks

 

[milandro]

that one I had an eye on...... flew away, withdrawn from the seller.

No idea how it was, that's why I asked the board.

I've seen several Martin Bari on sale in Holland both in shops (Harry Bakker had one ) or on Marktplaats.

 

[Jazzbrass]

La saga Besson

I have only write on my site a page on "Saga Besson" in French (use your translator!). La Saga Besson

Besson was especially a maker of brasswind, a great number of its saxophones are in fact of the stencils of Pierret, Beaugnier, Couesnon and even Selmer right before their repurchase of Besson.

Some claim that the best workmen of Besson went to Strasser Marigaux Lemaire to compete with Selmer.