Besson · Prestige (professional flagship)
Besson Prestige 2051 / 2052
Besson's 4.7 kg flagship, pairing a redesigned 3+1 compensating platform with a standard main-slide trigger and a choice of 11- or 12-inch bell.
Manufactured in Germany.
Specifications
| Model | Prestige 2051/2052 |
|---|---|
| Line | Prestige (professional flagship) |
| Tier | Professional |
| Price band | $$$$ |
| Pitch | Bb |
| Valves | 4 — 3+1 |
| Compensating | Yes |
| Bore | 14.98 mm |
| Bell | 280 / 304 mm · yellow brass (hand made) |
| Valves material | stainless steel |
| Weight | 4.7 kg |
| Water keys | 3 |
| Finishes | clear lacquer, silver plate, gold lacquer |
| Options | main tuning slide trigger (standard), left-hand thumb action, gold-plated trim |
| Variants | BE2052-8G (12" bell, gold lacquer, free-floating leadpipe for more resonance) |
The verdict
The Prestige earns its flagship position through control rather than through larger basic dimensions. Its left-thumb main-slide trigger, redesigned valve assembly, and leadpipe let the player manage tuning while preserving a centered sound across a wide dynamic and tonal range. Besson says bell size is the sole difference between the compact 280 mm 2051 and the broader 304 mm 2052.
Compared with the Sovereign 967/968, the Prestige is heavier and more adjustable; the Sovereign is lighter and more immediate. The gold-lacquer 2052-8G adds a free-floating leadpipe, making it a meaningful variant rather than merely a finish package. At this price, the bell and trigger should be chosen through playing, not from a hierarchy on paper.
- Who it's for
- Professional soloists and ensemble players who want active tuning control, a broad tonal palette, and a more substantial, centered platform than the Sovereign.
- Known for
- Its standard left-thumb tuning trigger, redesigned valve group and leadpipe, wide expressive range, gold-plated trim, and otherwise identical 2051/2052 bell-size choice.
- Watch out
- The Prestige is heavier and more involved than the open-blowing Sovereign. The 2051 is the smaller 11-inch bell and the 2052 the 12-inch—the reverse direction of the Sovereign's 967/968 numbering.
Manufacturer's specification page ↗
Supporting sources