Couesnon Flugelhorn

walteriano · New Member Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Posts: 2

this is mine

is it a A 126 ?

thanks,
walter

Flugelnut · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 10:26 am Post subject:

Are you certain that the valve bloc of this horn is original Couesnon?
I'm not aware of them ever having built horns with the straight-through valve system.
Maybe they did and then this is the first I've seen.

walteriano · New Member Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Posts: 2

Flugelnut · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 12:17 am Post subject:

Now that's interesting information, thank you!
You horn is indeed probably the 126. Your catalog says that both 126 and 127 have the "colonne d'air droite" ("straight air column"), the 126 being in Bb (si b), the 127 being in C and Bb (ut et si b).
Your horn doesn't look like it can be shortened to C, so it must be the 126. Being that old, is it high pitch, i.e. in B present tuning?
Again, thanks for sharing that catalog with us!

TheTrumpetShop · Veteran Member Joined: 27 Nov 2007 Posts: 126

It will take me weeks to sift through this thread alone, but I'll be richer for it when I do...

Please email any Couesnon info, pics, shop cards, catalogs, etc., to TheTrumpetShop@aol.com. As the only Couesnon dealer, I'd like to start a central Couesnon info location. You never know what you'll find. I just picked up a Couesnon piston French horn with a dated stamp on the bell from the organization that bought it. I don't know if they bought it new, but clues are clues.

I see lots of familiar names on TH with lots of Couesnon horns and info. You guys are great! Keep it up.

Charley @ The Trumpet Shop

pied piper · Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 10:15 pm Post subject: couesnon flugelhorn

My flugel is serial# 81527.

It has the emblem on top
Couesnon
Paris
made in France
81527
Monopole
Conservatoires

There is an A stamped on the second valve.

I bought this horn in 1993 from my college prof. who had picked it up from a music stores back room. I don't use the mouthpiece that came with it. I use a Schilke piece. Fits better and plays better in tune. I love the horn and will never part with it.

TheTrumpetShop · Veteran Member Joined: 27 Nov 2007 Posts: 126

any idea when your professor bought it?

Charley @ The Trumpet Shop
www.TheTrumpetShop.com

cornet56 · Veteran Member Joined: 17 Jul 2008 Posts: 205

Yes, I have that same horn in Lacq. It is a legit Coseuen as I saw the paper work/catolog form Coseun as was shown to me by the late Hal Oringer, trumpet collector of many old French besson horns, Martin Committees, (Including Art Farmenr's) gold played one which I played in New York.) I'm sure many players here knew Hal. He lived in NYC and hosted--amny seesions at his studio. No need to bring a horn--he had everything you wanted and more!! Claudio Rodititi was there a lot. This is back in the very early 80s in NY. Anyone else here part of that club????

Many people think that this late production model is one of the finest edtions of the Coseun. I was sceptical at first too--having owned two Triberts, but Hall confirmed it. Not many out there as the fact. burned down. AS I said--I saw the paperwork. Paid 350 USD in 82. It sits in it'' case have not seen it for over 7 years.

When did you get yours??

I love mine--plays beautifully--I got it in 1982. At some point I'll probably have it redone--maybe in Silver.

Best
c56

http://www.myspace.com/mikemissiras
http://www.myspace.com/drmissirascornetproject

mcahynuacrkd · Heavyweight Member Joined: 11 Nov 2007 Posts: 1149

TheTrumpetShop · Veteran Member Joined: 27 Nov 2007 Posts: 126

Thanks Mikey! And thanks more for the work you do.

Charley
_________________
www.TheTrumpetShop.com

cornet56 · Veteran Member Joined: 17 Jul 2008 Posts: 205

I resercted tys thread in order to show the authenticity of a coseun flug.

SO please excuse this marker post but I want the poster who showed pictures of his horns that, not only do I have one, but it is indeed one of the last series Coseun flugs made. ANd as many will contend, one of the best vintages, sadly the last.

Thank you,
c56

http://www.myspace.com/mikemissiras
http://www.myspace.com/drmissirascornetproject

TheTrumpetShop · Veteran Member Joined: 27 Nov 2007 Posts: 126

Yes it's a Couesnon, but not the last

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cornet56 · Veteran Member Joined: 17 Jul 2008 Posts: 205

robertgrier · Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 4:15 pm Post subject:

if anyone is interested The Co. is now called P.G.M. Cousnon and they have a web site.
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Bob Grier
An Old Pro
Web Cam lessons for trumpet and jazz improvisation
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bgrierjr@triad.rr.com

rolling360 · Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2008 11:43 am Post subject:

Great thread and great info. Ive been looking into buying a Couesnon flug for awhile. I just cant decide what model to get. Which ones should one stay away from?

As to all the numbers and letters, everyone has posted the engraving, how about everyone taking out the caliper and tape measure and giving the bore sizes, bell diameter, tubing lengths and anyother pertinate horn measurements. This way a common ground relating engravings and sizes could help answer some questions.

TheTrumpetShop · Veteran Member Joined: 27 Nov 2007 Posts: 126

Rolling, that's exactly what I plan on doing. I even bought a scale to weight them.

"Making the Trumpet World a Better Place"
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www.TheTrumpetShop.com

Indofunk · Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2010 1:00 pm Post subject:

Sorry to bump this thread, but it seems to be the most informative thread when doing a search for "Couesnon flugel".

I just bought a well-used Couesnon flugel for $350. Just picked it up. Very few markings, just "T1" and "S Bb" on the receiver (oriented upside-down from each other, strangely), an A on the second valve (and 1-2-3 on the other side of the valves) and the following on the bell:

Couesnon [o in the C]
Paris
Made in France
81340

Seller told me his Dad bought it in the late 70's/early 80's. Doesn't look like anything special, but it plays perfectly in tune, which shocked me. I was even using a Bach taper mouthpiece (all I had). I'll get a Couesnon taper mouthpiece and see how that affects it.
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My main horns:
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Holton Firebird
Firebird demo

jimmyjazz1968 · Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2010 1:26 pm Post subject:

Indo---I purchsed a Couesnon flugel a few months ago that has a very similar description to yours. The Couesnon on the bell has th "o" inside the "C". I have an "A" on the second valve slide. #81218. It also has a slightly longer leadpipe than most of the couesnon's I have tried and seen. This is apparently a version made for America (maybe what the "A" is??!!) I sent it off for a valve job ( Charlie Melk is GREAT btw!) and ordered one of his custom leadpipes for it. Though I haven't gotten the leadpipe for it yet--it is the BEST flugel I have ever played. I played mostly Yamahas for the past 12 years and this horn not only has the "sound" i was looking for--but it is also the most "in-tune" flugelhorn I have ever played! With all the horror stories about them, I think I got lucky!!! A truly amazing horn!! no disrespect to Yamahas as they are great horns as well. I also tired a Kanstul 1525 copper--and honestly liked this horn better in terms of blow, slotting, and sound!
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James Ingenito
New York
www.jamesingenito.com

Indofunk · Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2010 1:55 pm Post subject:

I like Marc's theory that the letter on the 2nd valve is the initial of the "QC" person. And going through this thread, looks like all 7x,xxx serials have a B or N on the 2nd valve, and all 8x,xxx serials have an A or K. Even if that's not true, I'd like to think that "Adolphe" made my horn

Is Marc still active here? He seems to have a lot of Couesnon knowledge, and has the advantage of being in Paris and speaking French...
_________________
http://satish.bandcamp.com
http://urbanjungle.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/TheNevermindOrchestra

My main horns:
Conn 38B
Holton Firebird
Firebird demo

Voltrane · Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2010 10:53 pm Post subject:

Hello,

yes, I am still here and still trying to understand the Couesnon story.
I recently discussed in an other thread about the possible differences between Couesnon trumpets made for US and Couesnon trumpets made for France.
http://www.trumpetherald.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=99398
My own opinion is that Couesnon sold either "genuine French" horns under the name "Monopole" or only "Couesnon, 105 rue Lafayette" or "adapted" (but to what extend?) horns for the US market under the name "Deluxe" or "Lafayette". But I do not have reliable evidences yet.
I am waiting information from knowledgeable people about this question, the true differences between Monopole, Monopole Conservatoire,"*" (star), and "other" horns and all the story behind this all this.
If I have answers, I will post.
Regarding the letters, it is more than a theory IMHO. It has been told to me by these knowledgeable people who are either former Couesnon employees or famous repairmen in France (among them Philippe Rault, now retiring, himself the son of a repairman whose workshop was "Rue d'Angoulème" in Paris, a street well known by French vintage horn). So we can assume it is true.
Thus, sorry but the A is not for America!
Regards
Marc