Posted by Patrick Sheridan on January 28, 2002 at 08:52:06:
In Reply to: Besson CC posted by Frustrated!!! on January 27, 2002 at 16:23:08:
The delay in the production of the CC tuba from Besson (model 995) is related mostly to a longer than expected transition from one factory (Edgware) to its new facilities in Markneukirchen (Germany) and Croxley Green (Watford, England). This transition is progressing slowly but well and is being managed by a team of great people, amongst them is Walter Nirschl.
Walter's brand names (Nirschl and BM Symphonic) and his tooling were purchased by Besson. Besson has retained his services in the capacity of production and design.
I don't want to speculate on the arrival of these instruments. However, we should see them sometime in the latter part of this year. I will let everyone know here when they hit the US warehouse.
For clarification purposes, this new CC tuba is a design bourne of Walter's prior large 4/4 instrument. The leadpipe is different in that it is not at the traditional York angle, but a more wrapped around style to allow for a more comfortable holding position. A few other minor changes were made to further enhance some intonation and tonal characteristics. This will be a mass produced instrument similar to the "machine blown" instrument Walter produced.
The rumors about its pricing in the retail market should be confirmed with a retailer. However, the rumor sounds about right... : )