Hi, I`ve been playing about a year, and I have a Besson 709. A guy said it was an orchestral horn. I got it used from a music store for about $700 w/ hard case. Is it a good trumpet? How high will it go? Should I plan to upgrade to something better in 5 or 6 years or so? I`ve been doing private lessons to learn and just started playing with a band I use a Vincent-Bach 7C mouthpiece. I`ve heard that the smaller numbers (6, 5, 4, etc.) can give you higher notes. Is tha true? Any help would be greatly appreciated

Oh, btw, its silver on the outside, but if you look up the bell its sorta copper/brass colored inside.
Thanks

I don`t know about a Besson, I`ve never heard of the brand. I always hit my best high notes with a 7c. I tried a 3c once and had a hard time w/ it but that could just be me.

The Besson is a French Horn. They are pretty good reputation from long time back, Marvin Stamm plays one. They were popular in 70s as brass band horns, I knew of a few around who played them.

Then 709 is an intermediate model (I think), and has bottom sprung monel valves. The silver is plated, that`s why you see the brass in the bell.

I think they`re an OK horn, but probably not as good as the Yamaha and Bach. If you like it, enjoy it!!

I forgot to add...7C Bach mpce, you do not need more than that for all playing.

It`s about the best around, and unless you have teeth or lip problems probably will do you for life.

Besson brass instruments...a long history.

Gustave Auguste Besson was a genius in the science of acoustics who in 1837, at the age of eighteen, produced and registered a new model cornet which was universally recognised as a revolutionary development superseding all previous instruments of its kind. The immediate success was tremendous and formed a prelude to a lifetime of work during which over fifty inventions relevant to wind instruments were accredited to him and patented.

His products became famous in Europe and in 1857 he moved to England where the vigour of brass band popularity was already evident. From a large factory in London, Besson instruments not only captured a major part of the British market, but were also exported to many countries including the USA. The fame of Besson attracted visits from the English royal family, foreign dignitaries and special artists whose instruments were elaborately engraved and in some cases studded with semi-precious stones. During the ensuing years, under the control of Besson’s daughter, the business rode on the crest of a wave into the twentieth century.

Another great influence on wind instrument design was Adolphe Sax. Believed by many to be the greatest of all musical instrument innovators, he moved from Belgium to Paris in 1839. Perhaps the most famous of his achievements was the invention of the Saxhorn, the principle of which still prevails in the modern tuba.

Influenced largely by the virtuoso, Henry Distin, Saxhorns became predominant in the UK. As the English agent for Sax and a brilliant exponent, Distin did much to promote the brass band movement and worked closely with Boosey & Co. with whom he merged in 1868. Boosey & Co. engaged in a great deal of rewarding research, the high point being reached in 1878 when D.J. Blaikely invented his famous compensating system which is a feature of the finest modern instruments.

The merger of Boosey & Co. with Hawkes & Son in 1930 gave rise to the world renowned Boosey & Hawkes company which also encompassed Besson in 1948.

In the summer of 2001 the manufacturing premises of Boosey & Hawkes Musical Instruments Ltd. moved from Edgware to Croxley Green, near Watford. With a successful combination of traditional craftsmanship and modern technology, nearly 100 staff produce the famous Besson brass instruments on this site that covers more than 5000 m2, together with restructured and modernised sales and distribution departments to handle increased requirements. This new factory is an important step towards the future of modern instrument manufacturing.
Since February 2003 Besson has become part of The Music Group, a new company which has been formed to acquire the instrument manufacturing companies that were formerly part of the Boosey & Hawkes Group. The new operating structure of The Music Group offers Besson unlimited opportunities to fulfil its ambitions in the musical instrument market.



Besson
Musical Instruments Ltd
Number One
Blackmoor Lane
Croxley Business Park
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD18 8GA

Telephone: 01923 659700 main number
Telephone: 01923 659500 sales
Fax: 01923 659600

I enjoyed the history Peter. Thank you. To August with the Besson, yes it is VERY good. Why not a keeper? Strat man Dwight - strategies for musicians

Thanks a lot! I didn`t know anything about it. Just to recap, its an intermidiate-y model, silver plated? Sounds like i can go a while before upgrading it or the mouthpiece. So how good is the 709 compared to something like the Bach Omega? And what does ochestral trumpet mean?

I saw it described as a "Superior Intermediate", so it is a good horn.
Orchestral horn generally means it will fit nicely into a trumpet section, and has a nice balanced sound. Probably not a soloist horn, but works well for band work. Tone/Range etc should be good.

As I said earlier, a lot of experienced Brass Band players had them when I was learning, and sounded good. I have never played one myself. If it sounds good, then play and enjoy.

Thanks a lot!

Actually Besson products were made by Kanstul at one point. If you are serious about upgrading click my name and e-mail me and I can help :-)