What is the Best Flugelhorn on the market right now?

[Austyn Sullivan-Watson]

Hey you guys out there, I am just wondering what the best Flugelhorn is out there right now? I have been looking but don't know which one's are better. If you have any ideas or anything contact me back.

[admin]

I play at Kanstul 1525 (http://www.kanstul.net/category.php?...age=Flugelhorn), and it plays absolutely wonderfully... I would add this model to your list...

[Austyn Sullivan-Watson]

Thanks for the information. Anybody else can still tell me because I really need a list. Thanks!

[OldsSuper1932]

My absolute favourite is the now discontinued, small French military flugel; the Couesnon Monopole mod. 142.
This has been copied by many of the large manufacturers like Bach and Jupiter, and also today's modern handmakers like "Eclipse" (First Class Brass) in London.
This flugelhorn sounds dark and is easy to play, and it's in tune (!). Many of the world's best jazz artists favour this one, and I believe it's the one you should look out for, if you ever can find it (not easy).

[Bill Dishman]

My orchestra/quintet partner has a beautiful sounding Courtois Flugle with the large gold brass bell. I have a wonderful Cuesnon that I would not part with but if I were to replace it I would definetly get the Courtois. Most wonderful lush tone quality.

Bill Dishman
Gainesville, Florida

[Austyn Sullivan-Watson]

Thanks for the info! Keep it coming, please!

[belltrumpetplayer19]

OMG! I absolutely LOVE Couesnon, but yes it is discontinued in the US but not in France (actually; go find their website). I play a Yamaha flugelhorn, but especially hate the clanking of the valves when they come back up. Last time I tried a Bach flugel, and I was pretty satisfied (might just get one...).

[stevericks]

I agree with the moderator -Kanstul 1525. Nothing else I have played comes close. Wish I had one!

[ChopsGone]

I have to admit to having sort of a flugelhorn addiction, but here's how I'd rank the top few among those currently available as new horns:

Wild Thing
Kanstul ZKF-1525
Adams
Courtois (still lusting after that 4-valve one, but even my addiction has limits)

On any given day, it's a tossup between the Wild Thing and the Kanstul - both have a beautiful sound, and the WT is the most responsive flugelhorn I've ever tried. The Adams has great Bauerfeind valves, sounds and plays great, but I'm not as impressed with the build quality. Courtois is in there because they're consistently superb instruments, the firm has more experience with modern flugels than any other, and a Courtois could easily be the best of the lot - it's very much a personal preference thing. But it would be hard to go wrong with any of these.

There's another that should be right up there with these: Calicchio. I haven't yet tried the flugelhorns, but do own several of the trumpets. Based on those, and on what I've heard from those who have had the opportunity to play a Calicchio flugelhorn, it should be one of the best available.

[oldbrass]

I recently acquired a 1971 Olds flugel made in Fullerton, Ca. It is said to be the one that Art Farmer favored. My friends and I have blindfold tested it against new Yamaha, VanLaar, and Blessing flugels. It has the sound I want, which makes it best for me.