Besson Prestige Cornet Review

Review of my Besson BE2028 large bore cornet plus playing samples.

[@brassman5]

I've had my Prestige for about 14 years. It is still an absolute pleasure to play every time I open the case. I play using a Wick 3 and I couldn't possibly be more satisfied.

[@s1914]

Great review Gordon, super playing 👌

[@oldtimedrumcorps]

Even without the best loudspeakers I can hear the quality of the instrument and the musician as well Thanks .

[@GordonHudson]

Thank You

[@skraegorn7317]

Interesting point you make about the 3rd valve cap and weight distribution. You should check out the Bach Megatone mouthpieces, I have one on my trumpet and I like how it redistributes the weight of the horn to a very comfortable position.

[@golf4funjn532]

Nice review, Gordon!

[@GordonHudson]

Thanks Nick. I have a few more interesting instruments to review. Currently on holiday, but when I get home I will get back into it.

[@ransome51]

Sounds great to my ear. But my old B & H Sovereign is still going strong.

[@logotrikes]

I played cornet in the school band, badly now I think back. Never mastered triple tongueing and my finger speed was appalling slow. 60 years on I don't think dentures would allow for playing but never tried... I quite enjoyed that presentation dude....

[@lalruatsanga2806]

Beautiful

[@davegoodwin9580]

Great. Especially Maid of the Mist. Thanks.

[@GordonHudson]

Thanks!

[@richardgordon8110]

THIS..... ....IS THE BEST CORNET YOU CAN BUY.....PERIOD.

[@Metal-Possum]

Are you sure? That said, I can't think of many other cornet manufacturers. Maybe Besson win by default.

[@GordonHudson]

@@Metal-Possum I have owned many cornets and this is the best I have ever played on. I think I touch on it in the video but it suits people who play on more open mouthpiece set ups. If you prefer tighter mouthpieces you may be better with the Yamaha Neo.

[@garyrobinson8665]

Well I bought my first cornet today. A boosey & Hawkes. Made in 1978. Silver. Its built like a tank. I've got a headache from blowing. Still struggling with the blowing but it's only day one.

[@GordonHudson]

Little, but often!

[@wonsokpark7215]

Thank you for your review. I just ordered prestige cornet. I am currently using DW2. I was wondering how Alliance mouthpiece sound different than DW. I like McCan cornet tone. Would Allaince mouthpiece help to make that kind of sound? (I know it depends on player but I want to some idea wether I should change to alliance mouthpiece)

[@GordonHudson]

Try an Alliance 2A. This is a similar diameter to a Wick 2 but not as deep. This used to be supplied as standard with the prestige, but I think they went back to Denis Wick.

[@citrumpet1]

Thanks for your video. I found the 928 doesn't quite get bright enough for my liking if I solo with a group. It stays very dark at loud volumes and tends to get buried. Mine goes sharp at well around hi C. Not sure if that is common with the 928 but my bach 184 is better in tune up there. The besson has a better low range however.

[@GordonHudson]

Its a complicated thing. Most players go flat in the upper register. I used to, but after a facial injury I found I was getting sharp in the upper register. So an instrument designed to compensate for people who play flat up the top doesn't work for me. Interestingly, Monette design their custom trumpets differently depending on whether you go flat or sharp as you ascend.

[@pebblebeach8517]

I have a question regarding cornets: Would a cornet with a 465 bore size feel like an open blow and do large bore instruments impact maximum articulation? I am looking at a dual trigger large bore Carol Brass cornet I’d be interested if I thought it would possess and open blow and it would articulate very well.

[@GordonHudson]

Traditionally, British cornets had the same bore as a medium or medium large bore trumpet. But because of the bends in the leadpipe they felt more resistive. The first stage to resolving this was the Denis Wick mouthpiece, which improved flexibility and tone on those smaller bore instruments. Then Boosey and Hawkes introduced the large bore Sovereign cornet, which became the blueprint for most that came later. The Sovereign had a bore of .466. This is larger than Bach's large bore and just slightly less than their XL. This increased the instruments dynamic range, but it tended to make bands louder. American cornets are a different thing with less uniformity of design. I don't know if that helps at all.

[@pebblebeach8517]

Gordon Hudson thanks Gordon, always appreciate you sharing your knowledge of brass. I am in search for an upgrade trumpet that’s is free blowing it’s seems like I’ve been saddled with stuffy horns. My only free blowing horn was a Carol Brass flugelhorn since then everything else feels stuffy , if you have any ideas on free blowing less restrictive Trumpets that you’ve played or owned I’d like to hear about them. Thanks for you response, it’s very much appreciated 🎺 .

[@GordonHudson]

@@pebblebeach8517 Try a Bach 43. That's what I play on and it's more open than a 37. You might also want to reduce the mouthpiece gap. This makes a trumpet more agile. Jason Harrelson has videos about this here on KZbin.

[@pauldance7387]

Have you played a rotary trumpet and if you have what’s your thoughts ?

[@GordonHudson]

I use a Scherzer Bb rotary in the orchestra. I keep meaning to make a video about it because it has Vienna keys. If you have a good piston valve trumpet the rotary is probably not necessary.

[@golf4funjn532]

Any idea how this would compare to a Carolbrass cornet?

[@GordonHudson]

I have not played a CarolBrass cornet, but they make a wide variety of quite different designs. There might be something int heir range which was of similar type. The main features of the prestige is the improved lower register and greater dynamic range, over previous Besson models.

[@cornetblower6560]

Hi Gordon I have been playing cornet a while now , I purchased a cheap John Packer student model very cheap. What would you recommend for a next step up. Thanks Phil.

[@GordonHudson]

Second hand Besson 700 series. Model 723 is what they usually say and sometimes "International" on the bell. Look up Gerry Birch Music Services and give him a phone. He has a few of them on his web site for sale. Make sure you get one that doesn't have too much valve wear. These are seriously good cornets.

[@cornetblower6560]

@@GordonHudson Thanks Gordon. Much appreciated.

[@renanrdgz]

Gordon, have you tried the Besson Prodige Cornet? Is it better than yahama student model?

[@GordonHudson]

I haven't, but I have tried it's Besson predecessor which looks quite similar. The Yamaha was better made but the Besson sounded more like a cornet.

[@CornetBlues]

I was thinking of upgrading to one of these cornets🎺I have a fully restored 1990 😊928 sovereign cornet🎺do you think it would be really worth it? I am an amateur with a real desire to play best I can!. Should I part with my pennies that is my question 🎺 Love your honesty and great sound🎺👏👏

[@GordonHudson]

It is a much harder blow than the 928. Regrettably I had to switch to a different instrument because the Prestige got sharper in the upper register. As most players go flat as they play higher this is likely to be helpful, but I get sharper as I go up so it became a real problem eventually.

[@CornetBlues]

@@GordonHudson a harder blow? I’m surprised at that although I understand it is not the same for everyone 🎺 No point in moving up to a harder blow!. Stick with what I got a quality well built instrument 🎺 I guess🎺🕺🎺but thank you for your review respect 🙏🏻

[@pauldavies9360]

Is it worth the extra 600 quid more than the sovereign? Also be cool to hear your thoughts on lacquered vs silver Cheers from S.Wales

[@GordonHudson]

The answer is "it depends". The Prestige is less controllable than the sovereign but has a bigger dynamic range. The Prestige has different tuning characteristics that can take time to get used to. The sound is also different. You would really need to try both side by side at somewhere like Band Supplies. I have never played a laquered one. They originally did both finishes but stopped lacquer for a long time and they have only just started doing them in lacquer again. Most of my instruments are silver plated because I find it more durable. Besson use cobalt hardened silver plate so it doesn't tarnish as quickly as some makers.

[@pauldavies9360]

@@GordonHudson Thanks for the reply Gordon yes your comment on silver being more durable is well worth consideration. I used to play Sterling but floged it some years back and find myself back in the market for a new cornet. it seems Besson is most popular in my brass band and the way to go.

[@garyrobinson8665]

What a beautiful looking cornet. I'm an absolute beginner. I'm looking to buy my first cornet. I'll be playing for myself for fun what do you recommend I pick up?

[@GordonHudson]

If you are in the UK look for a used JP 271SW. It's a lot of cornet for not a lot of money. If you want to spend less look for something like a Regent or a Westminster. Old instruments but ideal for learning on. There are various dealers like Prozone and Band Supplies that are worth phoning to see what they have.

[@garyrobinson8665]

@@GordonHudson yeah I'm in the UK I've seen some lovely expensive ones but I don't think I need a pricey one.

[@GordonHudson]

@@garyrobinson8665 Prozone Music have a second hand Besson Westminster for £90. It's on their website. Ideal starter cornet.

[@garyrobinson8665]

@@GordonHudson are JP cornets any good? My local music shop stocks a few of those. There's a JP071 for £183 brand new. Or a JP172SW for £255?

[@GordonHudson]

@@garyrobinson8665 Made in china but closely supervised. The SW ones are designed for them by Smith Watkins.

[@bendevos6688]

Try at least 3 diffirant besson prestiges becouse there is a lot of diffirance