Posted by RP on October 12, 2001 at 05:54:08:
In Reply to: English Bore Baritones posted by LV on October 11, 2001 at 18:01:35:
I have a Besson 4 valve compensating model and an older Besson 3 valve automatic compensating model. I like both of these instruments. The 4 valve model plays more like aeuphonium (in feel not tone). I tried out the Yamaha model. It has 4 valves but is not a compensating instrument and so it has more intonation problems than the Bessons. For brass band music the 3 valve model is as good as the 4 valve model since the music does not go down into the range where the 4th valve is needed. The automatic conpensating feature of the 3 valve horn improves intonation over noncompensating models. Beware When I bought the new Besson 4 valve model I tried out 5 horns (at the WW&BW). Several of these new horns had serious deficiencies and the quality control at Besson does not seem to be too even. The horn I got is excellent, however.