trumpet blower88

When I first started playing trumpet, I learned on my dad's old cornet he played in highschool. The other day I decided to pull it out and play it a bit just for the heck of it, and I was amazed at how well it played! Now I'm thinking of maybe getting restored but I thought I'd ask here to see what you guys think first.

It was made in England in the early 1960's, the serial number stamped under the bell is 396071. I'm pretty sure it is a 'student modle' because it has the adjustable third valve slide ring and the third valve spit valve like many of todays student modles have, but I've also heard that student/pro modles didn't really mean much back when these older horns were made, but I don't know much about that, it's just what I've heard.

So I don't really know if it's worth it but I was amazed how it played after so many years sitting in the closet, I'm really considering fixing it up, it would be nice to have a nice cornet for certain pieces in band.

Have any of you heard anything special about the bessons comming out of England in the 60's?

Thanks

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-David Jacques

Howard Solotroff

Well, until recently I was playing an early '60s English Besson trumpet and I can tell you that these are not student instruments. Find a decent restorer but don't worry about taking it to "mint" condition. Reasonable cosmetics-yes, but mainly see to compression and whether the valves require replating. You'll probably get a lot of years out of the old guy.

alanbach

According to this site it was made in 1968 http://www.buffet-crampon.com/Serial...gs.asp?marke=8

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Alan

Tootsall

I'd say "get it cleaned up and use it". It might not be as "good" as a Wild Thing, nor as custom as a Lawler but it seems to be part of your family. If your intended use is the "odd piece" in band and you want something that plays decently (and you already know it does), then you don't have a lot to lose by getting a chem clean, valve overhaul and (if needed) refinishing.

Besides...it'll maybe be something that can get handed down through the family and that's worth something too.


(NOT going to get my father's old harmonica overhauled!)

plp

There was a lot of mixing and swapping designs back and forth between Boosey and Hawkes, and Besson during the 1960's, and it is very confusing trying to keep straight who made what to what design.

Some really good instruments were produced during that time. I had a Besson Stratford cornet for a while that was just wonderful, and wish I had kept it. It was better than I gave it credit for. Then I got another Stratford, which was a totally different design, but only 2 years older than the first one! Then I got an Oxford made the same year as the 2nd Stratford, and it was identical to the first Stratford!

Just play it and enjoy it. My B and H Emperor is pretty much unheard of, but is the best 'traditional' sound trumpet I own.