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RARE Besson London Compensating Baritone Horn - $1,400 (Syracuse)
condition:
good
make / manufacturer:
Besson (London)
model name / number:
Compensating Baritone Horn
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Greetings! I offer this RARE B-flat Compensating Baritone marked "50 Medals Of Honour / FB / BESSON / * / London - Paris - New York / Made In England" on the bell. Serial number 533198 indicates production around 1973. This instrument has the Besson/Boosey & Hawkes compensating valve system which automatically adds tubing length to compensate for the intonation issues normally encountered with multiple valve combinations. It is not a euphonium, it is a true baritone horn with a narrower bell for a brighter tone than a euphonium. This instrument was purchased by the late husband of the current owner; I am selling it on consignment for her.
CONDITION: Good playing condition and fair-good cosmetic condition overall. The original lacquer finish is worn about 60%. There are a number of dents, primarily to the bell throat, and scattered dings on the bell bow and first branch. Nothing that affects the playability, though. The pistons show some plating loss but seem to still be pretty tight. All slides pull. It will need cleaning, polishing, and lubrication; I'll leave that to the new owner. No mouthpiece–it accepts a standard-shank trombone mouthpiece. No case–the previous owner carried it in a vintage Drakkar Noir duffel bag that seems to fit it pretty well. The instrument is sold AS-IS with no warranties. See pictures. WYSIWYG.
PLAYING QUALITIES: It plays well, with a pleasant tone somewhere between a euphonium and a trombone. I don't detect any vices or significant intonation issues. NOTE that I make no representations made about its suitability for your intended use.
ACCESSORIES: No mouthpiece; soft duffel bag as described above. See pictures; WYSIWYG.
THE STRAIGHT DOPE: This rare, vintage Besson compensating baritone is in good playing condition. A new equivalent from Besson sells online for between $5,300 and $9,000; you can own this one for a small fraction of that! It is as represented, but is sold AS-IS. All sales FINAL unless I determine that I significantly misrepresented it. I'll be happy to answer any questions about the instrument itself. Thanks for looking!
LOCAL PICKUP or agreed-upon meetup only, CASH, in person. Located in Syracuse NY.
ATTENTION SCAMMERS: I DO NOT reply to "Is this still available?" If the post is up, it's available. I've seen it all. NO bank drafts; NO "agents"; NO meeting you at some parking lot; NO text messages; NO blind gee mail addresses. I may have been born at night, but not LAST NIGHT.
All you nice honest folks out there in Craigslistland, please contact me if you have an interest in this instrument. I'll be glad to email/text more pics and details. Thanks for looking!