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About Mike Pawul
Expertise
I am familiar with most trumpets, cornets, and flugelhorns. I can answer most questions about playing and musicality. Best of all, if I can't answer it directly I play regularly in five bands and have several "old timers" that are familiar with most things that I am not. I collect, repair, and refinish old horns and have sold over 350 with more than 230 on ebay

Experience
I have played since 1965 and studied with many directors and trumpeters. I have been collecting since 2002 and have over 150 horns in my personal collection. I have done repair and refinsh since 2003 and have done over 500 horns.

Organizations
Kosair Shrine Brass Band and Dance Band, The Notables, The Mello Tones, Bourbon City Brass Band, River Cities Concert Band, University of Louisville Community Band, Member of Trumpet Players International Network (TPIN), Bugles Across America (BAA),

Education/Credentials
I played at Brunswick High School. I played through college and have a BS in Business Administration from Trinity College.

Awards and Honors
Without being vain, numerous awards and have played in several honor bands.

You are here: Experts > Music/Performing Arts > Musical Instruments > Trumpet > Besson student? model trumpet

Trumpet - Besson student? model trumpet

Expert: Mike Pawul - 11/5/2009

Question
Hi Mike,

I'm hoping you can help me date a Besson trumpet I bought between 1990-1995. I bought this Besson trumpet used from a co-worker who said she purchased it new for her son to play in the school band. He quit after one year and she wanted to get rid of it. On the bell it has a fancy ingraved "FB". Right under that, is "BESSON". The serial number on the valve casing is 345524. The mouthpiece is silver, with a copper shaft that says, "BESSON 7C". Other than that there are no other markings. I think it is a beginning student model, but what year was it produced? Is it a french besson? Or made in London? I have visited "The Besson Loyalist" website and several others(Trumpetmaster, Trumpet Herald, Kanstul etc) but the serial number doesn't match to give me the year of production or where it was produced. I think this is older than the co-worker let on because of the scratches, dents, and dings. I had it checked out professionally and it is in excellant playing condition. I am 5 weeks into lessons and love playing it!!
What year was it produced, and from what plant/country?

Answer
Anita, It is very hard to find Besson serials that deal with horns made after 1952. The numbering system was changed over to the Boosey and Hawkes numbers after then. So your horn dates to 1966. All of the Besson horns show a FB engraved over the name but they are still from the London B%26H factory. There should also be another line that reads like a city name under the Besson name. That is the model name. Most Besson horns I have played sounded very full and the intonation was quite good. It sounds like you have a good horn to play with.

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