Couesnon (1902)

This B♭ flugelhorn was manufactured in 1902 and is a great example of the instruments that built the French factory's legendary reputation. While it does not belong to the coveted "Monopole" line—often considered the holy grail among flugelhorn players—this standard-tier model is still an exceptionally fine piece of engineering.

The flugelhorn has a remarkably forgiving and accurate response. During play-testing, its intonation proved to be completely spot-on, making it incredibly easy to center and lock onto every single note.

Remarkably, that acoustic precision was discovered before noticing a significant defect: a crack running along the bottom of the instrument's very first tubing bend. The fact that the horn still slots notes perfectly despite this air leak speaks volumes about the quality of its original design.

Aside from the cracked bend and pistons that feel a bit rough and worn due to age, the flugelhorn remains in excellent playing condition, retaining its characteristically warm, dark, and velvety tone.