Posted by Chuck(G) on April 27, 2002 at 10:33:25:
In Reply to: Basement Treasure or Trash? posted by Steve K on April 27, 2002 at 09:48:50:
I've got one of these recording-bell Bessons hanging on the wall of my shop. I've used it for outdoor gigs (especially where I was worried about any other horns getting banged up). The valves are still tight; the body's a bit banged up and missing lacquer, but it's a good player. Bore is around 0.720", bell is 24" and does have "Besson" inscribed in the side of the neck. It's a non-compensating model.
The mouthpiece receiver is the old Besson small-shank. Getcherself a Denis Wick 1, 2 or 3 (not a 1L, 2L or 3L) and it'll fit perfectly. Or have the receiver changed for a standard large shank one.
$250-400 is probably a fair price if the valves are in good shape.