TubaForum.net

tubaing wrote: Sun Feb 02, 2025 8:54 pm I've been toying with selling my Besson 983 and switching to a government-owned MW 45 SLP F tuba as my bass tuba... but every time I play this Besson, I'm reminded how fantastic it is... and how I've never cared for these 45 series F tubas. Maybe I'll keep the Besson... I don't have it listed for sale

If you decide to sell, please let me know, thanks!

arpthark wrote: Mon Feb 03, 2025 9:52 amRiddle me this: I’ve played oodles of Besson 3+1 eefers but never tried a 983. Do they play similarly?

My brain automatically associates Eb with 3+1, so I’m not sure how well the four inline compensating fingers would do. It would require a lot of unlearning related to playing a fair amount of 4 valve non-compensating instruments.

I have a Besson 983 and a York 3082 (Besson 982 stencil). The 983 has a 17 inch bell. The 3082/982 have a 19 inch bell. I like them more pretty good... I prefer the 983.. I don't know if that's the big difference, but I find the 983 to be a bit more zippy/bright? I don't exactly know why, but I found I rather like the 3+1 on euphonium and 4 in line on the Eb even though I've had both on both instruments.

I tend to wonder if Buffet backed off of the 983 because Eastman killed their sales. I played one of the Eastman things, and it's pretty good.
I just personally use the E-flat tubas for things other than what a bell of that size would do for me, and I just don't like using the pinky finger as the (so-called) "F attachment" on a compensating system.

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bloke wrote: Tue Feb 04, 2025 11:16 am I tend to wonder if Buffet backed off of the 983 because Eastman killed their sales. I played one of the Eastman things, and it's pretty good.
I just personally use the E-flat tubas for things other than what a bell of that size would do for me, and I just don't like using the pinky finger as the (so-called) "F attachment" on a compensating system.

This is exactly what I was thinking. Besson's front-action tubas were never really popular... I wonder why... (not sarcastic)

Then Wessex introduced some Chinese-made front-action models, but in terms of quality and sound, they’re no match for Besson.

Then came Eastman, producing a top-quality compensated front-action Eb tuba. I’m curious how well it plays. If I can’t find or afford a Besson, that’s the next one I’d try.

arpthark wrote: Mon Feb 03, 2025 9:52 am I always pipe up with this when the 45SLP gets mentioned, but if the leadpipe didn’t whack me in the middle of my forehead when I try to play it, I might like it more. I think they play okay, just an ergonomic nightmare for me.

Short guy problems…

Riddle me this: I’ve played oodles of Besson 3+1 eefers but never tried a 983. Do they play similarly?

My brain automatically associates Eb with 3+1, so I’m not sure how well the four inline compensating fingers would do. It would require a lot of unlearning related to playing a fair amount of 4 valve non-compensating instruments.

Having sorta "mastered" the 3+1 comp thing (decades ago: euphonium / later: E-flat) why should I RE-learn it using my weakest finger as the compensating range "anchor"?
ie...With the 3+1 system, the 4th "compensating" valve behaves very much like a trombone F-attachment. As it DOES behave in that way (and not like a NON-compensating 4th valve), the WAY THAT I REMEMBER THAT I'M PLAYING A COMPENSATING INSTRUMENT is for the 4th valve to be (as with a trombone) operated by the left hand.

far more topical:
I dunno of the B&S-made Besson-badged knockoffs of the original UK-made 983's are still made (though I suspect they'd happily accept and process an order for a dozen of them), but the Chinese-made similar one (though over $7-freakin' thousand dollars from Music&Arts ) is pretty good (other than - again - for me the 4-valve/front-action/compensating/brain-scramble and pinky-anchoring thing).

Still available on this side of the pond...

https://philparker.co.uk/products/besso ... uba-outfit

I have recently spoken to Besson about this (I have a 984 and it is peerless) I understand that although they no longer list this model they will still make them to order, I don't know about cost, but as they were hand nade anyway it shouldn't be too far off the cost of a 982. I think Phil Parkers still have a 983 in stock.

SALowBrassMan wrote: Sun Feb 02, 2025 3:24 pm I’ve been playing a Yamaha YEB-632S for 20 years and it’s been the best EEb I’ve played to date. Now have friends playing Wessex models in Five Lakes Silver Brass Band and anxious to try a Wessex. Having said that, I’ve also been playing a Besson 993 BBb for a couple years now and it’s by far the best BBb I’ve played in my 45+ years of playing. After reading so many comments here, now I’m curious to try a Besson 984. Anybody live near the Tampa/Lakeland area that has one?

Nothing says "salvationist" like your screen name. but of course that's not Beer. LOL.

bloke wrote: Sun Mar 16, 2025 12:05 pm
why should I RE-learn it using my weakest finger as the compensating range "anchor"?

Totally agree. The pinky isn't strong enough to do the work.

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