Posted by John Cradler on November 08, 2001 at 20:52:44:
In Reply to: Re: HB-488 vs Besson 983 posted by Mark Carter. www.mrtuba.com (UK) on November 08, 2001 at 10:15:11:
I was able to play both Hirsbrunner E-flat tubas this past summer in Switzerland. Mr. Hirsbrunner was there exhibiting them himself so I was able to bend his ear a bit. When I asked why I hadn't seen these tubas for sale at Custom, his respnse was that they(I assume he meant the folks at Custom Music) didn't want to sell those models. After I picked my jaw up off the ground, I played them both again. Yep, still awesome horns! I suspect the price difference between them and the Besson will be large. I wonder if the Hirsbrunners sound thousands of dollars better. Build quality will undoubtedly be outstanding on the 'brunners; hit or miss with the Bessons. FWIW I love my 983, but if money were no object, I might have to look again at the Hirsbrunners. Hey, Custom can we get these or not? With the success of the 983, my bet is you might sell a few 488's as well.