Up for sale is a beautiful vintage Couesnon flugelhorn from the highly regarded 1960s “golden era” of French brass manufacturing. Couesnon is one of the most iconic names in brass history, and their flugelhorns from this period became extremely popular among jazz musicians in the 60s thanks to their unique sound.
Sound & Playability This instrument delivers exactly what players look for in a vintage French flugel: - Unbelievable warm, dark tone - Excellent compression - Fast, responsive valves - Effortless projection with that classic “flugel cushion” sound. The playability is outstanding—this is the kind of horn that makes you want to keep playing.
Jazz Heritage The flugelhorn became a staple of jazz in the 1960s, used by legends such as Freddie Hubbard, Tom Harrell (see photo), Art Farmer and many others . Couesnon instruments were widely available and highly regarded during this era, and they are still chosen nowadays among jazz players.
Model Details This is a Standard model which features the desirable “N” engraving on the 2nd valve block, often associated with some of the best-playing examples.
Condition - 90% original gold lacquer remaining - Valves are smooth, quick, and feel great under the fingers - Great compression throughout - Cosmetically: Small dents and signs of use consistent with age. Nothing affecting playability (please see photos)
Why This Horn? Couesnon flugelhorns from the 1960s are considered by many players to be among the finest ever made—so much so that their design has influenced countless modern flugelhorns . This is not just an instrument—it’s a piece of jazz history.