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Question about the Geneva Cardinal a flat tuba Vs Besson Prestige
Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2022 1:19 pm
by iCupboards
Hey there. I am new here. I have a Besson Sovereign e-flat with a gold brass bell. I was wondering if anyone here owns or has tried a Geneva Cardinal e-flat tuba that had it compared with a Besson Sovereign e-flat tuba? I would love to know what you think of the Geneva!
Re: Question about the Geneva Cardinal a flat tuba Vs Besson Prestige
Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2022 2:28 pm
by bloke
I've never played these, and I also have a question...
Are there made in the Czech Republic?
Re: Question about the Geneva Cardinal a flat tuba Vs Besson Prestige
Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2022 4:00 pm
by iCupboards
bloke wrote: ↑Sat Jun 18, 2022 2:28 pm
I've never played these, and I also have a question...
Are there made in the Czech Republic?
Not sure!
Re: Question about the Geneva Cardinal a flat tuba Vs Besson Prestige
Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2022 4:05 pm
by Estubist
bloke wrote: ↑Sat Jun 18, 2022 2:28 pm
I've never played these, and I also have a question...
Are there made in the Czech Republic?
In 2018 I had an opportunity to play a Cerveny emperor which was called to be similar to the Geneva Symphony, so maybe ...?
Re: Question about the Geneva Cardinal a flat tuba Vs Besson Prestige
Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2022 2:39 am
by Fivevalves
Kraslice according to their website - I tried a Geneva EEb a few months ago at Hayes Music (UK) whilst I was getting my Meinl Weston serviced. I thought it was pretty decent and at least as good, if not better, than some of the Sovereigns I've played. Quite easy upper register and not overly stuffy at the bottom, 4th valve neck of the woods, decent intonation (nothing is perfect) & I see there is a version with a main tuning slide trigger (similar to some Euph's) that could be interesting. If I was in the market for a new 3+1 I would would definitely have it on my shortlist
Re: Question about the Geneva Cardinal a flat tuba Vs Besson Prestige
Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2022 3:37 am
by iCupboards
Fivevalves wrote: ↑Mon Jun 20, 2022 2:39 am
Kraslice according to their website - I tried a Geneva EEb a few months ago at Hayes Music (UK) whilst I was getting my Meinl Weston serviced. I thought it was pretty decent and at least as good, if not better, than some of the Sovereigns I've played. Quite easy upper register and not overly stuffy at the bottom, 4th valve neck of the woods, decent intonation (nothing is perfect) & I see there is a version with a main tuning slide trigger (similar to some Euph's) that could be interesting. If I was in the market for a new 3+1 I would would definitely have it on my shortlist
Thanks for your insight, this sounds promising! Do you know whether this Geneva you tried was a Cardinal (goldbrass bell) or a Symphony? Thanks!
Re: Question about the Geneva Cardinal a flat tuba Vs Besson Prestige
Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2022 3:50 am
by Fivevalves
Re: Question about the Geneva Cardinal a flat tuba Vs Besson Prestige
Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2022 4:18 am
by hubert
As far as I am informed, production of Geneva Brass is incorporated in/uses facilities as well as staff of the Amati/Cerveny complex at Kraslice (Czechia). The exact business relation is not clear to me: some time ago the company advertised itself as "owner" of the Kraslice factory. But since Amati nowadays is in Czech hands again, I would guess Geneva is a regular customer/contract partner of Amati/Cerveny.
Anyhow, to me no doubt the Geneva euphonium is a direct descendant of the Cerveny euphonium, with somewhat higher quality of workmanship (kind of premium class), features of outward appearance and choices of materials.
Hubert