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Jason Parra · 04-29-2008, 10:50 AM

Hi,

You will need to try out different bore sizes and the mouthpiece taper suits you best. Most of the "French" style flugels have a small +/- .413 bore and a short mouthpiece that fits a French taper. The Larger more commonly produced horns of today have a .449-.460 bore with a standard flugel shank.

You will definitely notice the difference if you play them side by side. If cost is a concern, and you want a decent mid range model.....Hmmm, I would say Rose bell Jupiter with a 3rd trigger (same material and build as a higher priced yammy) but brand new around 800.00, a 6' copper bell and .460 bore/standard. Don't get a Indian or Chinese model---junk, and I would stay away from Barrington and Amati. The lower end Bach "Aristocrat" is a decent flugel. It has a .413 bore and a third trigger for about 5 bills. I played a cheap German Schiller and a Bach "A" at a clinic I did in Louisville a few years back---they were very good for the -500 range.

Now to get into a Pro model, you will need to buy used/vintage or low professional. I like the looks of the new Phaeton and Van Cleave (both can be purchased/seen at Dillon Music). But have never heard anyone with an opinion on them---=/- 1200.00. For 1500 + you can get into a very nice used Pro model (Kanstul, Yamaha, Sandoval, Shew, Strad). These are "line" made horns, but sound good, especially the Kanstul's. Plan on paying 2000.00 on up for any custom "handmade" instrument-your choices are wide in this range. Austin Winds sells a great Kanstul top line, great looking model for around 1800+, you can also get into total custom slightly used flugs in this range as well.

I am saving my coin for a Taylor, or hoping a new endorsement may include a good flugelhorn. In the meantime I have been very happy with my classic L.A. Benge. It was made (by Zig K) in the late 70s and actually has a 1st valve U-slide. I stripped it down to raw brass and it plays nice--looks good too with a cool vintage patina look. So buy used or go with what you sound good on. It's not like we ever play them for an extended period of time (unless it's a combo date). Usually blend and intonation are right out the friggin door, once it has sat on its stand cold for over an hour.....Just waiting for a 16 bar passage (then the alto sax-flugel sound is often a made for You-Tube event.

My choice..................The Taylor Phatboy!!! I get the "heebies" just thinking about one, girlfriend out.........Phatboy in.

Good Luck,

Jason

04-29-2008, 10:50 AM	#22 (permalink)
Jason Parra New Friend Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: NYC, Miami, Boise Posts: 14	Re: Best Flugelhorn Hi, You will need to try out different bore sizes and the mouthpiece taper suits you best. Most of the "French" style flugels have a small +/- .413 bore and a short mouthpiece that fits a French taper. The Larger more commonly produced horns of today have a .449-.460 bore with a standard flugel shank. You will definitely notice the difference if you play them side by side. If cost is a concern, and you want a decent mid range model.....Hmmm, I would say Rose bell Jupiter with a 3rd trigger (same material and build as a higher priced yammy) but brand new around 800.00, a 6' copper bell and .460 bore/standard. Don't get a Indian or Chinese model---junk, and I would stay away from Barrington and Amati. The lower end Bach "Aristocrat" is a decent flugel. It has a .413 bore and a third trigger for about 5 bills. I played a cheap German Schiller and a Bach "A" at a clinic I did in Louisville a few years back---they were very good for the -500 range. Now to get into a Pro model, you will need to buy used/vintage or low professional. I like the looks of the new Phaeton and Van Cleave (both can be purchased/seen at Dillon Music). But have never heard anyone with an opinion on them---=/- 1200.00. For 1500 + you can get into a very nice used Pro model (Kanstul, Yamaha, Sandoval, Shew, Strad). These are "line" made horns, but sound good, especially the Kanstul's. Plan on paying 2000.00 on up for any custom "handmade" instrument-your choices are wide in this range. Austin Winds sells a great Kanstul top line, great looking model for around 1800+, you can also get into total custom slightly used flugs in this range as well. I am saving my coin for a Taylor, or hoping a new endorsement may include a good flugelhorn. In the meantime I have been very happy with my classic L.A. Benge. It was made (by Zig K) in the late 70s and actually has a 1st valve U-slide. I stripped it down to raw brass and it plays nice--looks good too with a cool vintage patina look. So buy used or go with what you sound good on. It's not like we ever play them for an extended period of time (unless it's a combo date). Usually blend and intonation are right out the friggin door, once it has sat on its stand cold for over an hour.....Just waiting for a 16 bar passage (then the alto sax-flugel sound is often a made for You-Tube event. My choice..................The Taylor Phatboy!!! I get the "heebies" just thinking about one, girlfriend out.........Phatboy in. Good Luck, Jason __________________ Jason Ulysses Parra ---------------------------------- http://www.myspace.com/jasonparrajazz http://trumpetland.ning.com/profile/JasonParra http://trumpetland.ning.com/profile/JasonParra ---------------------------------- \|\____--- _____< \|/ (__=\|\|\|\|=__) ---------------------------------- Zeus Olympus copper/brass brushed Stomvi Mambo Titanium Martin Committee Deluxe T3565BLK L.A. Benge Flugelhorn ______________________________ Last edited by Jason Parra; 08-23-2008 at 07:25 AM.