Posted by Chuck(G) on November 06, 2003 at 19:27:19:
In Reply to: Besson Tubas posted by Bill on November 06, 2003 at 18:36:04:
Some, mostly student-line tubas, aren't very wonderful. The professional line of instruments is generally quite good. Except for a few scarce and notable exceptions, Besson tubas come in Eb and BBb only (no CC or F). And the pro-line instruments are generally auto-compensators, so their appeal can be rather specialized.
Having said that, the Besson 981 and 983 Eb tubas are quite popular and very nice instruments indeed. Besson BBb tubas seem to be much less popular outside of England.
Eventually, we'll see the Walter Nirschl-designed CC, but unless I'm too far behind the curve, they exist only in a few demonstrators and marketing literature. That is, they're not being mass-produced yet.
Bottom line, as always, is find one and play it--you might like it.