Besson 983/984 discontinued?

[Ruigekerel]

I am/was saving for a Besson 984, but I see Besson has removed this model from their website, the same for the 983. Does this mean they are discontinued? I know they were never as popular as the 981 of 982 models, but I still believe there is a market for professional, compensated, front-action Eb tubas.

Can someone confirm that they have stopped making these models, or does someone have more information on this topic? Maybe I have to start looking for another brand...

[Sousaswag]

I don’t know if they’re available NEW… but, there is a 983 that comes for sale used every now and then, I’m sure you can find one.

[arpthark]

If you are looking for alternatives, Eastman makes a 4-piston, side-action compensating Eb. FWIW. Never played one.

[greenbean]

I JUST saw one for sale. Reverb? Or eBay?

(I don't really have a functioning memory anymore so your guess is as good as mine!...)

[PlayTheTuba]

I have to go to do something real quick

But I didn't find 984 in the Besson catalog either. I always wanted to try a 984. Seeing as it was different and smaller than the 980-3 tubas.

http://www.flipbooks.buffetcrampon.com/ ... ues/besson

All Buffet-Crampon Catalogs. B&S, Meinl Weston, Besson. Other brass instruments too but no tubas the last time I checked the other brand names.

http://www.flipbooks.buffetcrampon.com/ ... catalogues

B&S still lists a healthy amount of tubas. Like the 4097/4197 CC's, 3103 taller rotary 4/4 BBb and the BBb version of the 4197, the 3301...

[kingrob76]

I think the only people who can confirm this are the people who make them... but they haven't been on their website in a while and aren't on price lists. I would look to grab a used one (preferably one of the British-made ones) when it comes available. The Eastman front action Eb is a nice horn but not as nice as the Besson. Wessex has one that is more York-like but the two I've played I didn't care for - the larger-bore 4th valve just felt wrong on both examples IMHO.

I think the market got over-saturated quickly for these kind of horns and several models weren't very good, so now there are only a couple being produced as new.

[Dents Be Gone!]

I agree, guys. This is the way to go.

[bloke]

I think they're pretty darn good instruments for somebody that just doesn't really want to learn how to play an F tuba.

I already do the three valve thing, the five valve thing, the six valve 4+2 thing, the compensating 3+1 thing - with instruments in five lengths from B-flat to C to E-flat to F to the next B flat. (I don't really see much use - for me - for a four-valve non-compensating thing.),l

and I don't think I want to - at this point - learn the four valve compensating pinky-anchoring thing.

I'm absolutely an old stick in the mud, but I think there are two purposes for E-flat tubas. One is as a fake B-flat tuba (concert bands, brass quintets, jazz combos, polka bands, etc.), and the other one is as a 15-in bell compensating instrument to play in a British-style brass band with the bell pointing to the player's right (but I would prefer to play B-flat in such a band).

Eastman version? I've heard of them.

again: I'm a stick in the mud.

[Tubeast]

There´s a difference between willingness to market/advertise and willingness to produce.
The Willson model 6400 hasn´t been advertised in decades but Herr Kurath told me they´re still being made occasionally, per individual demand.

It MIGHT depend on BESSON accepting direct orders rather than insisting on retailer business. So if possible, You might want to just give ´em a call.

Also, Buffet Crampon is a French company. French companies, in general, have a reputation of providing horrible websites that are impossible to navigate without damage to one´s sanity.
This reputation has been deservedly earned in the past, and I don´t know how hard Buffet Crampon ist trying to destroy it.