Besson 15" bell satin silver Eb

[anadmai]

The Besson New Standard is the same as a B&H Imperial but with cosmetic changes, I’ve played both for literally years and IMHO both are great instruments that were around - well proven design - for many years. Because they’re made of thick brass they weigh a bit but the small bell keeps the centre of gravity near to the player so they’re not really difficult to move. IMHO the later Sovereign is a slightly better instrument but I’d happily play a New Standard instead as my forever and old man instrument. Lucy you, enjoy.

I don’t think that you’ll find a case for one and most people use gig bags for them. Gig bags are handy but I much prefer the better protection of a case, even a shell case would likely be better and maybe a handy person could make a shell case for it.

The partial above the stave isn’t one that British Brass Band players use much, it might play better in tune using the first and third valve or the fourth valve rather than open. Obviously I don’t know what mouthpiece you’re using but IIRC they play surprisingly well with a smaller than typical cup, worth trying a Wick five or four in it, if you can.

Edit.

#Doesn’t Doc have - or did have - one of these?

# Comment was made about their sound volume limits. I don’t think that they’re as loud as a Sovereign can be, but you can certainly make yourself well heard - well I did - and IIRC a British Tuba player used one as The Tuba in a prestigious UK Orchestra … so certainly plenty of volume in the right hands.


Edit.

I’m not a Bass Clef player but here is the standard fingering for an EEb in Bass Clef: https://norlanbewley.com/bewleymusic/tu ... e-eb-tuba/
Here it is in Treble Clef form too: https://norlanbewley.com/bewleymusic/tu ... b-tuba-nc/

For me in treble clef the highest note I might ever be called upon to play is top C (Eb in Bass Clef), it’s an open note. The full step below top C (Bb in TC and Db in BC) can be played open too - though more by accident than intent. The full note above top C (D in TC and F in BC) can be played either open or with the 1st valve depressed. Of course all of those open notes have valve combinations that might work for the notes below them.

I’m guessing that the troublesome (BC) C above this stave is a Treble Clef A and that’s usually played with the first plus second valve. Thinking of the open harmonics up there maybe try one plus three and two by itself.

I do have one, and I like it. My JP377 does play easier, but it is a different beast. The Imperial is not the biggest Eb hammer you can buy, but it has a wonderful clear sound and projects well. Definitely my favorite for the Eb voice in band - it’s not a faux BBb (like the 19” bell Eb); it has its own unique voice that is difficult from, but locks in with the BBb tubas. Lends itself well to solo stuff and gor times when Eb is performing some other function separate from the Bb basses.

Intonation starting above the bass clef staff requires alternate fingerings. My solution to that is getting a straight leadpipe (w/ standard receiver) from Mike Johnson in the UK. I should have the tuba with mods back by next week, so a review will be forthcoming. I did not do Mike’s famous 4th valve conversion - I’ll see how it plays first.

A Yamaha 15” bell comp Eb case should fit. Besson cases can be found, but you might have to get one from the UK.

The Denis Wick 3 it came with is narrower than I like, so I have been using a Sellmansberger Solo with a small shank. I tried @Tuba1153’s Imperial shank with the solo cup, and it was an improvement. I’ll try my Imperial w/ standard shank on it when I get the tuba back. I did like the clarity provided by the Solo cup, but we’ll see what works best.

Did you ever write up a review of what your 15" sounds like/plays like after you had the lead pipe worked on?

[Doc]

Yes. It has been a while.