Besson BE 165 Euphonium review (Aaron K. Campbell)

[@AKCEuph]

What do you think of the BE 165? Any other questions about the instrument?

[@shawnboomermusic]

I bought this horn about 3-4 years ago and I've always loved it. I loved hearing the subtle differences between the 2051 and the 165. Great Review!

[@AKCEuph]

Shawn Boomer Music glad you enjoyed the video! What differences did you hear between the two horns?

[@shawnboomermusic]

I heard slight intonation things that just sound a little more full and in tune on the 2051. The technical side of it as well. I've truly loved my 165 but now getting to a more professional level of playing, I'm beginning to notice these small things about the 165. It's just nice seeing that the pro model has some of those problems fixed between the two. :)

[@AKCEuph]

Cool to hear your input, I literally got 20 minuets total with the 165 so I is nice to hear someone who has spent more time with it. Thanks =)

[@donnietodd6785]

Thanks Aaron, I appreciate your work on this project and your support of our Besson line of euphoniums both as a player and endorser. Keep up the great work with your instructional videos.

[@AKCEuph]

Thanks Donnie! Always a fun time getting to talk with you and learn more about these instruments. Hope we can play together again soon! =)

[@marvinater5881]

This is the horn that I play in my High School band, I've been blaming my tone on the instrument not being the highest quality, but after you compared it to the BE2051 I see that I just need to step my game up!

[@AKCEuph]

marvinater5881 haha! It's a great sounding horn! I bet with some work you can get your sound where you want it 💪

[@user-jk7hf2vx3p]

I am from China and I am very happy to own a BE165, it is a great instrument, it has great performance and can make playing fun

awesome video!

[@AKCEuph]

Thanks!

[@JamesBlakeslee]

My 165 out of the case, valves stuck I had to sent away to serviced, the slide falls out and the finish stretches easily. I still have valve issues, not impressed with horn.

[@JulioSilva-qf4om]

Good Morning How are you? I have a question about Besson Euphonium BE 165, where is it made? Best regards Julio Silva

[@MusicManMTB]

Totally unrelated to the review of the instrument, but what is the strap you're using to help hold the horn? I'd love something like that!

[@Just_joke0129]

Does a slight distortion of the euphonium piece cause any problems with the sound or range?

[@AKCEuph]

Not sure I understand the question. What do you mean by "euphonium piece"? As in the mouthpiece?

[@ethanspradling]

This is a very interesting review. I play on the Besson BE 765 London model. I think that it is almost the same type of horn. It is a large boar horn, 3+1 valve combo, and it is also non-compensating. The only differences that I can see is that it is gold plated and it does not have the spit-catchers. Dd you know of any other differences and do you also know if the BE 765 is an intermediate to an intermediate-professional horn? I personally do not know.

[@AKCEuph]

Ethan Spradling from what I can tell they’re similar but the 765 is no longer in production. It’s a English model instrument that was made before buffet acquired Besson. I played a 765 for my first year in college and the biggest difference I remember was the 765 had the spit catcher and it was a bit heavier. Both instruments can come in both brass lacquer and silver playing. I would say the 765 is at an intermediate level.

[@euhpieislife7136]

Does the clear lacquer Besson 165 euphonium have a darker color with some silver on it (like the picture on the Besson website), or is it just the brassy color and no bits of silver anywhere?

[@AKCEuph]

TheWhite Boy it’s as pictured on the site. Lacquer finish with silver accents :)

[@brasschick4214]

A bit skeptical re. Lack of compensating system and tuning with other instruments in a band/group situation or with a piano.

[@AKCEuph]

brasschick42 of course! Without compensation you'll have to worry about the intonation in the extreme low register (under E natural) however the intonation in my experience with the horn everywhere else was fantastic. Much better than other comparable models from other brands on the market currently.

[@Mando98]

This looks like such a solid horn! When I was in high school my school got us the BE2052 2G-0 during my junior year and I loved that instrument. I want to get back into playing now that I’m in my mid 20s and this seems like the horn for a casual player like myself. What is the difference between the 11’ and 12’ bell size? I noticed that the BE 163 has a 12’ bell size compared to the BE 165 with an 11’ one. This may also be a dumb question but what is the difference between silver-plated and clear lacquer and which one would you recommend over the other?? Thank you this great video and you’re a beast on that euphonium!! You’ve inspired me even more to get back into playing:)

[@AKCEuph]

IMO the silver played (due to being heavier) is a little deeper of a sound and the clear lacquer is a bit more brass. Neither is better or worse just depends on taste. Glad to hear you may be picking up the horn again! Im sure youll have a blast!!!!

[@lino2969]

What size mouthpiece does it use?

[@thesaltysailor7000]

Lino Zarate large shank. It has a large bore

[@thesaltysailor7000]

Stupid question, but what are the prices for the standards BE 163-165?

[@AKCEuph]

TheSaltySailor is varies depending on what prices your dealer sells them for. I typically see them between $1.8k and $2.5k though

[@thesaltysailor7000]

AKCEuph Thank you!!!! I am going to a Besson store in the states (I live on an island and they don't ship here): to test out, check the prices, and possibly buy a BE165. Thank you! Btw, this Euphonium review video was absolutely amazing and this is what sold me to wanting to buy the BE165. One last question, if I buy the euphonium at a Besson store, online, or at another music store, will I be able to get that really cool case in this video? Thanks for the awesome videos! :)

[@AKCEuph]

TheSaltySailor glad the review was helpful, and yes as far as I know every 165 should come in that cool case!

[@thesaltysailor7000]

AKCEuph YES YES THANK YOU!!!!

[@thesaltysailor7000]

AKCEuph another silly question! On the Besson website, the clear lacquer finish has a darker look than other euphoniums and it also has silver plating on some of the tubing. If I buy a BE165 from Taylor music or something will I get the same looking euphonium or will I get a standard yellow lacquer euphonium look? I am sorry about bugging you with some of the weirdest questions, but you said the finishes don't matter with tone or anything and also the silver finish requires more attention and care than the lacquer. So in the end I am really worried about the looks I guess. Anyways thank you for always replying! I hope this will be my last question. Thank you!

[@libertariancapitalist]

I've been wondering this for a while and hope to get an answer. What's the purpose of the gold parts to your euphonium?

[@AKCEuph]

Most of the gold is just for decoration purpose. The gold trigger on my left thumb is connected to my main tuning slide, which makes it so I can press it down whenever I am sharp. Gold mouthpiece is just more comfortable to me than silver finish.

[@libertariancapitalist]

What if the tuning slides are gold ex. yamaha yep 842s

[@AKCEuph]

Libertarian Capitalist still just mostly decoration. As far as I know.

[@pietromariomariano153]

What store were you in?

[@Gordomorfo]

TOP NOTCH!

[@AKCEuph]

Thank you!

[@andrewtorres323]

Is this the same as the BE 1065

[@AKCEuph]

Andrew Torres similar but not the same. The 1065 is before buffet acquired Besson so it’s a older design.

[@FreezingGamer1]

What is the song you played when testing? It sounds familiar!

[@AKCEuph]

FreezingGamer "all those endearing young charms" a lot of euphonium players perform the theme and variations on the tune so I wouldn't be surprised if you've heard it.