ClosetBlues

Hello. I'm new here. I have played piano almost forty years, and during high school and college I played trumpet.

In 1973 I bought a trumpet from a friend of my Dad who had played semi-professionally. The trumpet is a Besson 10-10 made in England c. 1960 (serial # 280867). The seller told us it is a professional studio recording horn.

The horn is unique and I have always felt that it is special. I have never seen another like it, and I am hoping to find some information about it's value.

It is in excellent condition. It was refinished in about 1978 and looks like new. The most unique aspect is it's three-color finish. The bell of the horn is a copper colored brass with a medium to large bore. So the sound is jazzy and mellow. The body is a combination of nickel (silver) and yellow brass. The valve fingers are inlaid in pearl. In addition, it has triggered slides on the first and third valves.

I am always amazed at how it still functions after being stored for years at a time. I just took it out again and the valves are quick and quiet, even though it has not been lubed in years.

Has anyone come across one like this or have any suggestions on getting an appraisal. I'm at a point in my life, focussing on jazz piano, (and needing some money) that I am ready to part with this old friend.

Any advice is welcome. Thanks.

P.S. I still have the original Besson aligator case in great shape.

Cornet1

The Besson'10-10' was a very high quality instrument made in the 50's to mid 60's and used by many top pro musicians around the world. During that period Besson were at the top of their game and one of the best brass makers in the world with a confident design philosophy.

The serial number is for the late 1950's,....292xxx is for 1960

This is a superb 'vintage' instrument which derserves to survive and be valued however, I suspect that there is little interest now in relation to it's intrinsic value and importance, especially in the US where it's just another 'foreign horn' that time has passed by. This is sadly an area of brass music which is fast fading from any living memory.

You could try the advices of a specialist dealer in the US (other posters here will be able to advise) or email Sharon McCallum here in the UK.

oldlou

I also have one of these. Mine is silver plated. Someone in the past has removed the first and third valve triggers and replaced a slightly crumpled bell, which I still have with the bell from a Holton M F trumpet. It plays brilliantly and is one of my favorite trumpets. I do wish that I could find a source for the trigger parts that were removed. Have you settled on a selling price for your vintage horn as yet?


OLDLOU>>

ClosetBlues

Thanks for the feedback. I have not set on a selling price, but am considering putting my Besson on eBay today. Pictures will be up there on eBay if you want to take a look.

ClosetBlues

Well, I did not put my Besson 10-10 on eBay. (I've never used it before) But if you are interested in owning a classic Besson that plays and looks beautiful, take a look in the instruments for sale on TrumpetMaster or private message me and I can send information and pics.

ClosetBlues

Thanks, Cornet1 and Oldlou, for information on my horn. It is the one possession I have held onto for this long. Now, after about 30 years, I'm parting with it. You can see more pics of it on eBay at http://cgi.ebay.com/1958-Besson-Brev...QQcmdZViewItem

Sincerely,
ClosetBlues

morromarco

Hello,

I just joined this website. I have a trumpet, though, I am not a trumpet player, and know virtually nothing about them. Can a Besson trumpet come in an FB? I have a Besson 10-10, which I believe states "FB" on the actual horn. It has the number engraved on it, 263980. I wonder what the age is of this trumpet. It belonged to my father, and I can recall it being around since at least the late 1970s'.

I hope it is permissable to post here of the fact that it's listed on ebay right now. I'm not trying to peddle this trumpet here, though, I see one cannot post pictures here on this website. If you're interested, and can tell me anything about this trumpet, it would be much appreciated. It can be linked to here ---> http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MESE:IT&ih=008

Thank you in advance, and Happy Holidays.