Posted by Rick F. on August 13, 2001 at 22:25:26:
In Reply to: Yamaha vs. Besson posted by Tom on August 13, 2001 at 21:20:27:
The euphonium with the 4th valve on the side is really the way to go if you're going to be a serious player. In addition most, not all, are compensating instruments and have better intonation in the lower range. They also are a larger bore horn. The Besson you mention (Sovereign or equiv?) should have a bore of .580, Yamaha 641 and 642 have a bore of .591, and the Willson and Sterling's REALLY have a bore of .591 too -- although they're listed as a bit bigger since they measure outside diameter of the second valve slide instead of inside diameter. My point is the horns with the bigger bore should give you a bigger sound. Your Yamaha sounds like a YEP-321, which has a bore of .570 I think. It takes a little more air and more support to play, but the sound is bigger in my opinion. Good luck.
Rick
YEP-641