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Instrument gripes

To: brass-band@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Instrument gripes
From: "ANDREW CATTANACH" <acattanach@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 1999 02:05:06 PST
Priority: low
Reply-to: brass-band@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Re the instrument gripes.  Besson have got a new MD (Last year). The lacquer 
baths (or cleaning dips, I forget which) had apparantley not been changed 
for years prior to this, instead of every 3 months! My brand new BBb Bass 
wouldn't play in tune with itself, as well as the usual mouthpiece at 
forehead height problems etc. I tried 8 basses at Booseys before picking 
this one. I would say 2 were virtually unplayable, the rest average. The 
instrument was generally flat (A=437!), and 1st and 2nd valves were flat, 
but both together, sharp, even on their reference tuner!After a strong 
letter of complaint to John Rogers (european sales Manager at the time) I 
went to see Paul Lance at Booseys, their development technician(?) He 
replaced and moved my mouthpipe, altered the tuning slide and first valve 
slide and then relacquered the instrument. Good service, especially from 
Paul, but the problems shouldn't be there in the first place! I also possess 
one of the first Sovereign BBb Basses (20 years old, Concert model, low 
mouthpipe etc.) This projects better, plays in tune better and is more 
agile. Where's the progress in that? This is all aside to the dreadful 
lacquer problems! Even one of their own employees says that you get two 
finishes, silver or leopards skin!

Andy Cattanach, Tuba Freckleton Band ( ex Britannia etc.)



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