Flugelhorn Shopping

[p.gehres]

I was trying out some flugelhorns today, as I am starting to think about buying one. Unfortunately, the store had less of a selection than I had hoped. I did get to play a Conn, Yamaha, Schilke, Cousenon, and Calicchio horns (I unfortunately do not remember all of the models). The Conn Vintage One was probably my favorite. What are your thoughts on good pro, but not super expensive flugelhorns? Also how significant is the finish (they only had lacquered where I went today.)? (i.e. lacquer v. satin v. silver).

[Crazy Finn]

[lakejw]

Those are all good horns you mention. Where are you located? Honestly that's a pretty decent flugelhorn selection for a lot of areas/music stores.

Vintage Ones are very nice horns. They're on on the warm/big/diffuse side of the spectrum, IMO. I prefer something will a little more center to the tone. My XO horn has the ideal sound and feel for me. The Yamaha Shew flugs are really nice too.

Finish/plating is entirely personal preference. Once you settle on a model you like, see if you can travel somewhere to try (or have a retailer send you) one of each finish to see which you like best. For example, the XO Brass flugels come in lacquer or silver, and they offer rose or yellow brass bells, so 4 possible combinations. Luckily Dillon music had one of each in stock that I could try before buying.
_________________
New Album "ensemble | in situ" on Bandcamp

johnlakejazz.com

[p.gehres]

I was actually at Dillon's today - they were a little lower on horns than I expected. I'm definitely looking for a darker, almost trombone-esque sound.
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Student, Ithaca College SoM
Bach Stradivarius 180 ML 37 Silver, 713XXX
Bach Stradivarius 180 ML 239 Lacquer, 64XXX
Dillon Flugelhorn Rose Brass Lacquer, 78XXX

[shofarguy]

Modern lacquer finishes don't affect the sound of the instrument like the old nitro-cellulose finishes did. So, buy what you want to look at.

I've played most of the horns you've listed and a few others, such as Adams, Inderbinen, Jupiter and Kanstul. I haven't played Van Laar, which I hear only good things about.

Every Kanstul-made flugelhorn I've played was a good instrument. Three were among the best in the world. One is the finest instrument I've ever owned in all aspects and ranks among the best two brass instruments I've ever experienced. That flugelhorn is the Wild Thing by Flip Oakes.

There are more expensive flugelhorn, but I don't think there is a finer one.
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Brian A. Douglas

Flip Oakes Wild Thing Bb Trumpet in copper
Flip Oakes Wild Thing Flugelhorn in copper


There is one reason that I practice: to be ready at the downbeat when the final trumpet sounds.

[Richard III]

[razeontherock]

You should try Kanstul 1525 and also Getzen Custom Reserve. Then buy something in your budget, like maybe a nice used Yamaha 631?

[p.gehres]

[p.gehres]

[dstdenis]

[Ed Kennedy]

[trickg]

If I ever get the chance to own a copper belled Kanstul CCF 925 again and I don't have to pay through the nose to get it, I will. It was such a sweet flugel - I wish like heck I'd never sold it.
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Patrick Gleason
- Jupiter 1600i, ACB 3C, Warburton 4SVW/Titmus RT2
- Brasspire Unicorn C
- ACB Doubler

"95% of the average 'weekend warrior's' problems will be solved by an additional 30 minutes of insightful practice." - PLP

[Existentialist]

Dillon's has a Calicchio flugelhorn in stock? Did it have a copper bell? How was the intonation?
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Adams A9 (medium bore)
Yamaha 8310Z Gen. II
Taylor Chicago Standard II
Inderbinen Wood Flugelhorn
https://crciorba.com/

[p.gehres]

[omelet]

I have a circa 1980 Getzen 4-valve flugel. I don't know how they are designed nowadays, but it's definitely got more of a trombone sound than any small bore one I've played. Plus, a fourth valve is just great for those pedals.

[delano]

[yourbrass]

[lakejw]

Re: having retailer send you horns; it's not explicitly a 'trying out' phase, but if you've got the purchasing power on your credit card, you can order some from a big-box retailer such as Sam Ash, and return them within the return window. I have done it at Guitar Center for mics and things, but not with horns, though I know people that have done this. For example trying out multiple new Strads and deciding which they like best.

WHATEVER you do, MAKE SURE the return policy allows it BEFORE you buy. They will ask you what the problem was, just say it didn't meet your needs. And to head off any arguments, I'm not advocating taking advantage of the company, it's their policy, and there's nothing wrong with using it as intended.

Also, Happy Thanksgiving.
_________________
New Album "ensemble | in situ" on Bandcamp

johnlakejazz.com

[B. Scriver]

GR has gone flugel - crazy in the last while. It may be because one of his all time heroes is Clark Terry, or maybe GR has been logging too many hours at the shop and has lost his mind.
He is currently play testing and measuring the following horns:

Blessing Artist Flugel
Yamaha 731 Flugel
Yamaha 8310Z Flugel
He has two Callet Flugels arriving tomorrow.
He has play tested my Conn Vintage One.

He designed our FD Series mouthpieces to match the V1. He has noticed that the GR FLT mouthpieces match the Yamaha 731 better. He played a super-clean passage for me and at the end, added a real airy phrase. (Impressive because GR doesn't have time to practice.) The FLT allows the player to color the sound and play accurately. He is currently looking at designing a leadpipe to improve the Yamaha.

I will update with his findings on the Callet Flugels. GR has seen a leadpipe from these horns and he is impressed. More to follow.

Brian Scriver
www.grmouthpieces.com

[Ed Kennedy]