BADBOY-DON

--------I guess what confused me, was that this post was on the vintage cornet board...but clearly the old borrowed cornet you say was a "mezzo-trumpet---------humm?

That borrowed Besson long model cornet horn that I used was listed as a long model cornet?

Hummmmmmmmmmm? B&H IMPERIAL??????????? I DON'T THINK SO?

I called Jim about that horn about 30 minutes ago...and he too, could not find any information about this old horn that is clearly labeled on the bell..with only the inscription across that note with only the word "BESSON" incribed across that note-----and nothing anywhere, on the bell or anywhere else shows anything that proclaims that this is any thing else but a BESSON.

Also he mentioned that the serial number which is lightly steel stamped with the # 33281 (Does that "ring a Besson Bell?:) or a B&H Imperial bell? :)

That old horn certainly didn't sound-blow-or feel like my old Besson Soveriegn' but actually played quite nicely but with a noticably thinner and brighter sound. No way could this borrowed Besson, be a mistaken for a higher quality instrument, other than a student model horn?

His dad bought this cornet for him when he was in high school from a neighbor for $50.00???? The neighbor's dad bought it through a music store in Tacoma on a student rent-to own plan?

plp

Strange things were afoot at the Edgeware factory from 1955 through about 1965, and the waters are muuddyy when it comes to trying to find any information about the various incarnations of Besson and Boosey-Hawkes during that time. Some Bessons were restamped and sold as Boosey-Hawkes, some B&H stuff were stamped Besson, very confusing.

I have had several Stratford cornets, and they run the gamut from great to junk, and I'm not just talking about the condition. We all know you can take the finest cornet made, abuse it, don't clean it, and in a few years it has deteriorated to junk. The lower end Stratfords had hexagonal top caps, kind of like Schilke's top caps, and seem to be limited to 1963. I've had 3 cornets and 2 trumpets like this, and they all had leporous lacquer, loose valves, stuffy leadpipes, and poor fit and finish.

Then there was a muuuch better made Stratford from around the late 1950's. The cornet version was an American cornet straight bell design, with the 2nd valve slide pointing towards the bell (or in the CORRECT position), great valve design, with the black plastic circular valve guides and some incredibly fast valves. Looking at the Imps from this timeframe, it looks like perhaps the Stratford was the American bell and the Imp was the shepherd crook bell. The valve cluster looks the same on both, although the Stratfords are all lacquer (or all of mine have been) and the Imps seem to be either silver or gold plate.

I hope this helps somewhat. I have had several English Bessons and Boosey-Hawkes cornets and trumpets, and my large bore Emperor trumpet is the reason I don't need a Strad equivelent. If I can't play it on the Emperor, I can't play it PERIOD.

BADBOY-DON

Thanks for the elightin' post....That old Besson that I borrowed did have plastic valve guides, white ones....and due to the wear on the plastic guides, one had to be very very careful in pulling and replacing a valve.
More than just a few times..those valves would rotate slightly, while tighting the round upper valve caps, which would give some pretty "strange-fluffiness and half valve noises that sounded like an ally-cat with a bad case of "distemper:)

plp...my friend!
WOULD YOU PUT IN A GOOD WORD WITH TOM TURNER THAT I STILL COVET HIS BEAUTIFUL OLD BOSTON STAAAAAAAAR!

sadboy-don...exiled in the Gigggg haaaba

plp

I would, but I don't think it would have any effect, as we ALL covet those Bostons. I just picked up a Prototype A cornet on the 'bay and was thinkin' about you.

BADBOY-DON

"A prototype A Boston------------BUSTMYCHOPS!!! TELL ME MORE????
Could U break my heart...and give me the E bay link: so that I may moan in my last can of Budlight?

plp

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...8710&rd=1&rd=1


While not a Sov, it still has potential. I'll know more once it comes in. I need another cornet like I need a hole in the head, but the price was worth taking a flier.

plp

Well, the Besson was waiting for me Friday when I got home, and have had a little time to check it out.

So much of what I have read here and on TH about these is dead on. The most horrible great cornet you will play, is the best way I've heard it. I had to figure out the blow and really set those corners, to center the buzz. When it clicked, the little darlin' LITTERALY starts to vibrate. Yes, I checked for broken braces, everything is tight.

The valves are shot, but 5 Star will seal them enough to make it playable. The silver plate is 100%, just as advertized. Due to the valves, it takes a ton of air, especially with the Salvation short shank mouthpiece, but the tone it is capable of is worth the effort.

The tone can be anything from duck call to one of the best sounds I've ever created, with any instrument. Intonation when it is clicking, is an afterthought. When it isn't clicking, it is impossible. You cannot wrestle it at all.

I think TT talks about cajoling the sound out, very appropriate choice of words.