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Cornet1 · 10-26-2006, 02:59 AM

Besson instruments of this period were of very high quality and even compare favourably with the best modern manufacturing methods. The "copper" appearance of the valves is due to the fact that the valve clusters were electrphoretically laqueured,...effectively plated with a hard brass alloy having a high copper content. That used by Besson was very hard and intended to counteract wear, both inside an out, over a long period. As far as I am aware this process is not used much on modern instruments, if at all, due to it's high cost and intimidating control issues. Also, few modern factories are interested in assuming that the instrument will be used for a couple of lifetimes!

Sadly, these fine instruments don't have a current price which really reflects their true value, so it is difficult to evaluate the investment of having valves replated. If your valves really have worn to the extent that air is escaping into the cylinders then that is very unusual as these valves were exceptionally hard wearing.

Where are you situated?

10-26-2006, 02:59 AM	#5 (permalink)
Cornet1 Pianissimo User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Essex, England Posts: 133	Besson instruments of this period were of very high quality and even compare favourably with the best modern manufacturing methods. The "copper" appearance of the valves is due to the fact that the valve clusters were electrphoretically laqueured,...effectively plated with a hard brass alloy having a high copper content. That used by Besson was very hard and intended to counteract wear, both inside an out, over a long period. As far as I am aware this process is not used much on modern instruments, if at all, due to it's high cost and intimidating control issues. Also, few modern factories are interested in assuming that the instrument will be used for a couple of lifetimes! Sadly, these fine instruments don't have a current price which really reflects their true value, so it is difficult to evaluate the investment of having valves replated. If your valves really have worn to the extent that air is escaping into the cylinders then that is very unusual as these valves were exceptionally hard wearing. Where are you situated? Last edited by Cornet1; 10-26-2006 at 03:38 AM.