Besson Sovereign 928GT B-flat cornet (silver)

• Silver-plated finish
• Bore size: large, 0.466 in. (11.79 mm)
• Bell diameter: 4.88 in. (124 mm)
• Gold brass bell
• Top-sprung, hand-lapped Monel pistons
• Triggers on 3rd and main tuning slides
• Weight: 1.1kg
• Wood-shell case
• Made in Germany

* Sovereign models have a gold brass bell. Prestige models have a yellow brass bell and gold-plated trim.

The three valves add predetermined lengths of tubing to lower the pitch of the instrument, but the lengths required for accurate intonation are proportional to the instrument’s overall tube length. When valves are combined, their fixed lengths are therefore insufficient to lower the pitch by the required proportion, causing certain notes to sound sharp. Mobile valve slides allow these combinations to be corrected, while triggers provide a quick and smooth means of moving the slides during performance.

First- and third-valve triggers allow the player to fine-tune notes involving those valves while playing. Multi-valve combinations tend to become increasingly sharp as more valve tubing is added, with the 1+2+3 combination requiring a substantially greater correction than 1+2. With practice, players can develop a feel for the appropriate slide positions for particular notes, allowing rapid passages to be played accurately without relying entirely on the embouchure for pitch correction.

A main tuning slide trigger allows the overall length of the instrument to be adjusted while playing, providing fine control over the pitch of any note. This can reduce the need for embouchure correction and is particularly useful for open notes, changes in playing conditions and intonation affected by mutes. It can also be valuable when matching pitch within mixed ensembles or alongside instruments whose pitch may fluctuate during a performance.

First- and third-valve triggers provide precise mechanical correction for notes involving those valves, but cannot directly adjust open notes or notes played with the second valve alone. A main tuning slide trigger can adjust the pitch of any note, but does not provide the same dedicated control over individual valve combinations. The two systems therefore offer different approaches to intonation, and the choice is largely one of personal preference and playing technique.

First- and third-valve slide triggers were introduced on the original Sovereign 920 and 921 cornets in the early 1970s and subsequently became standard on professional British brass band cornets. The 1984 redesign introduced the 927 and 928 models, retaining the same trigger configuration.

The precise origins of tuning slide triggers are less clear. Similar slide-operated intonation systems were already established on American trumpets by the mid-20th century, while mechanically assisted pitch adjustment on brass instruments dates back further. We are continuing to research the development of slide triggers on earlier cornets.

The different bell materials contribute to the distinct tonal characters of the two models. Gold brass, with its higher copper content, is generally associated with a broader, warmer and more rounded sound, complementing the Sovereign’s rich, singing tone. Yellow brass tends to produce a more focused, immediate and projecting sound, suiting the Prestige’s more concentrated tonal character. Neither material is inherently superior; the choice reflects the different design objectives of the two instruments.

Monel is a nickel-copper alloy valued for its exceptional resistance to wear and corrosion, helping the pistons maintain a precise fit within the valve casings over many years of regular playing. Stainless steel offers similarly excellent durability, but Monel has a long-established reputation for smooth, reliable valve action and long service life. Besson uses Monel pistons on its Sovereign and Prestige cornets as part of their professional specification.