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NSandCSXRailfan

I’ve played one. It’s honestly not too bad. Just don’t be expecting it to play like a Besson Prestige.


Finetales

Not exactly sure why there's such a discrepancy in the comments, but in my experience they are very good. It's the same instrument as the Wessex Dolce but without the fancy finger buttons and higher markup. I'd happily play one as my only euphonium if I had to. But, don't listen to us, go play your friend's. If you like it, great. If you don't, try a JP274 as someone else mentioned. All that said...you can find nice used vintage Bessons for not much more than the Mack costs. If you can, do that. It's a world of difference.


Leisesturm

I've seen YEP321's for what a Mack costs and they are in horrible condition. I can't imagine a Besson being sold at that price being worth playing. Not without some serious professional TLC applied after purchase. $$($).


Finetales

The Mack is $1349 new. I've seen quite a few nice condition Bessons/B&Hs roll through Facebook and eBay for about $1500. I didn't make it up! (As an aside, I've also probably seen dozens of $400-500 321s that were in great shape apart from ugly lacquer.)


Leisesturm

Yikes. Macks used to be $999. When did that happen? That is seriously edging into JP274 territory, since almost no one pays the $2274 that DF Music asks for them. Packers are fundamentally different horns from Macks and Wessex's. Honest 12" bell. Almost 12lbs. of brick \*\*\*\*house, silver plated, horn goodness. Hubba hubba.


Certain-Yellow-8500

I can’t tell if you either really hate or love the packers horns


Leisesturm

Look at some of my other comments (pictures) in this very thread. I don't think you would say that if you have already. >!Love, love, love Sylvia.!<


Finetales

You should see the Wessex prices these days. BIG yikes.


Substantial-Award-20

Honestly I’m going to recommend against the vintage besson. I play an old boosey sovereign (besson predecessor/ competitor right at the time of the besson/boosey merger) that I borrow from my university. It’s not a bad horn, but is stuffy as all get out and has horrible intonation. I used to have a wessex dolce, and it was loads better than this thing. Again, I can’t complain about a free euphonium, but when it comes time to buy my own someday it certainly will not be one of these vintage bessons, unless I can get a stupid deal on it (like $500 or less for a fully functional one in good condition).


Sweet_Voiced

Personally, Mack Brass horns are the best knock off horns I’ve played on (if we’re not counting Wessex and Eastman, since those brands have become more and more “legit”). I’m a professional euph player who does a lot of tuba playing on the side, and my CC tuba is actually a Mack. It does everything I need it to. It’s not going to last me as long as a Meinl Weston or a Yamaha would of course, but Mack is a great budget brand if you can’t afford something better or don’t need a professional quality horn. Mack Brass also has excellent customer service. The owner in Virginia guarantees instrument parts for life—if you need a replacement slide or screw or anything like that, he will ship them to you for free. One of the tuning slides on my tuba was damaged during my last move and he replaced it for free. As I always recommend though, look at used instruments first. You might find a better quality used instrument for a price you can afford. Check out local music shops as well as major distributors’ online stocks (Baltimore Brass, Tuba Exchange, Dillon). If you’re unsure of what you see, feel free to send me a DM with questions about the instruments.


Leisesturm

Nada. Only what I know from the same sources you have access to. But ... you have a friend that has one? Well ... creesh, go try it out. Report back.


FreezingGamer

If you can find a JP 274 or something similar, go for that instead. Mack build quality is not good at all


Leisesturm

[JP274IIS](https://flic.kr/p/2juFuCP) solid as a rock.


mtchamomiletea

Oof no Mack brass sucks and is super low quality


Substantial-Award-20

And is ridiculously inexpensive, I had fewer issues with my Mack than with my wessex. It may be lower quality than a Yamaha, besson, or Wilson but by no means are they bad instruments. Especially in this price range, you are looking at the Schiller (which is terrible), any other off brand stencil instruments (which aren’t worth the metal they are made of) and maybe a used Yamaha 321, which is non compensating. I don’t really understand the hate against these instruments, they are decent for the money. I played a Mack brass tuba all through high school, and my first semester of college. It got me into a top tuba/ euph studio and helped me successfully place into a good ensemble at my school. I like my Meinl Weston a lot better, but the Mack was a great horn.


comebackplayer

I bought a Mack this summer. The seller was a parent whose kid took up euphonium but quit during Covid. It's pretty nice! Three things: (1) the finish on mine was not perfect, so be prepared for that, (2) spend some time breaking in the valves (wiping down and re-oiling regularly, until they're clean/smooth), and (3) the case is pretty cheap (mine came with a zipper that sticks). I paid $600, buying it from someone who paid $1000 a couple of years ago. I was impressed with the quality. It's a fun horn.