Good years for Couesnon?

cujazztrpt · Posted: Sat May 21, 2005 5:37 am Post subject: Good years for Couesnon?

Just wondering, does the Couesnon flugelhorns have any good years (serial numbers?)?
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improver · Heavyweight Member Joined: 14 Mar 2004 Posts: 1455

especialy when you cant play high notes

Davu_sensei · Posted: Sat May 21, 2005 8:17 pm Post subject:

I'm glad someone started this thread - I bought an Eb/F trumpet with "Elkhart" engraved on the bell, but I have since discovered it is really an alto flugelhorn made by Cuesnon for Elkhart prior to 1980 (I contacted the factory in France). Anybody else have something like this? SN is 3504.

ABSOLUTELY TRUE STORY - I'M NOT MAKING THIS UP
I bought my alto flugelhorn from an orchestra player in Ontario, played with it 4 months, then had it professionally cleaned, valves realigned, some dents repaired. When I picked it up at the repair shop, they told me they found a dead mouse inside. It blows a little more open now.
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What if I never speed?
Shall I straight yield to despair
And still on sorrow feed
That can no loss repair?
-John Dowland, ca. 1610

nextbrassguy · Heavyweight Member Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Posts: 1428

Davu_sensei · Posted: Sun May 22, 2005 3:18 pm Post subject:

I'd love to post a picture but I can't figure out how to do it - I don't see any "attach" button on the Trumpet Herald Forum. I tried the Img button but it prompts for a URL - the picters are not posted on any URL, so I wonder what the use of that feature is. Do you know how? Post your email address and I'll send a picture of both a Cuesnon and my Elkhart - you will see they are identical except for the pinky hook. I am davu_sensei@hotmail.com

Sound is nice and mellow, easy to play the higher harmonics (equivalent of High C and D on Bb trumpet is pretty easy), but some notes are out of tune or slide off of once hit - it's not as easy that way as my Bb Strad trumpet. Of course, it plays alot better now that the dead mouse has been removed.

I use a Bach 7C mpc (same as my Strad) but I'm wondering if I should use a real flugel mpc - doesn't the physics of the length of the tubing require it?

Davu_sensei · Posted: Sun May 22, 2005 6:14 pm Post subject:

PS These links may interest you

This player has the Cuesnon identical to my Elkhart
http://www.angelfire.com/oh/EbAltoTenorFhorn/flugalto.html

This recording artist lists an Elkhart Alto flugelhorn as one of his instruments
http://www.isham.com/trumpet.html
_________________
What if I never speed?
Shall I straight yield to despair
And still on sorrow feed
That can no loss repair?
-John Dowland, ca. 1610

Balt58 · Posted: Mon May 23, 2005 2:53 pm Post subject:

As far as good years for the vintage models, all of the Cousenon flugels and Bb trumpets I've ever played, regardless of serial, were pretty much the same. Clunky valves and suspect intonation on some notes. On the other hand, The Monopole flugels made in the last five years or so, IMHO, are some of the best made by anyone.
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"Actors find God. Musicians find jazz..."

Tulsa Calicchio RR37 w/GR 3HC* & GR 3S
Cousenon Copper Monopole Flugel w/Flip Oakes F0

plp · Posted: Mon May 23, 2005 3:46 pm Post subject:

Yep, I have a Getzen frumpet keyed in Eb/F, and trust me, I can see how a dead mouse could reside in one and not feel too stuffy. My french horn playing son loves it. The alto voice in brass is a tough voicing anyway, and perfect pitch is essential in my opinion, moreso than playing the melody or more traditional harmonies. I think a lot of these instruments get a bad rap for intonation when in fact it is the voicing they are playing.