I finally bought a Couesnon. This one has to be from 1930 or before, probably 1920 or before. This is not the model that is marked Monopole.
I recently bought a Couesnon Monopole Conservatoires alto sax with serial number 11103. It came with a 'CERTIFICAT D'ESSAI ET DE GARANTIE', printed on Monopole Conservatoire certificate paper, with the serial number 11103 written in by hand, dated in Paris by hand November 15, 1960, and signed and stamped by M. Q: Whatever happened to Couesnon? Are in the hands of the original owners that attempting to establish a data base of serial numbers and date of.
(See below on that.) Barrel: 66mm Bore: 14.65 at top of left hand joint, 14.8 at the bottom of the same joint. Special feature: This instrument has the ring for the third finger left hand, used for the forked E-flat/B-flat. The left hand chromatic E-flat/B-flat key also closes a little extra pad, and can be used to make the high C in tune. Serial: none in normal places. In two hidden places under the keys of the left and right hand joints: X18. T is stamped on the back of the left F#/C# key.
High register pushed in all the way F +4 E +10 D +10 C +4 to +9 B +4 to +9 A 0 to -3 Middle of treble clef G 0 F 0 E 0 D 0 C 0 B -4 Throat tones B-flat 0 to -10 A 0 to -10 G 0 F 0 E -4 to 0 Chalemeau D 0 C +12 B-flat +15 A +20 G +10 F -5 E 0 That intonation is about as good as clarinets in this world get. I used a real reed instead of a Legere for this test. On my Legere, I was -4 to -10 flat on the A and B-flat throat tones. I would want a shorter barrel with this horn. I suspect that Couesnon also made the wooden instrument I reviewed earlier. David Speigelthal at: Couesnon was a decent French manufacturer, although they're mainly known for brass instruments. Fontaine, I believe (Mark, can you help us out?) mainly sold 'stencil' instruments, that is, made by others but with the Fontaine name on them.
I just restored a Couesnon 'Monopole' clarinet (late 40's-early 50's vintage, I think), and it's a very nice clarinet. I can't tell from your post whether your instrument is a 'hybrid' of Couesnon and Fontaine-labeled parts, or if it's a Fontaine stencil made by Couesnon. Sorry I can't help more than that. It's really a lovely instrument, beautiful grain to the wood, nice warm sound, comfortable keywork.
My only criticism of it is the intonation, which is not ideal (as I found out after playing it at orchestra rehearsal last week). The low chalumeau E (and corresponding middle B) are rather low, and the altissimo F and F-sharp are a bit low also.
But generally a nice axe and a very good 2nd clarinet to have Another interesting. The bore is.580in or 14.75mm.
-:: Author Message FELIX C Veteran Member Joined: 05 Mar 2003 Posts: 422 Location: PUERTO RICO Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2004 4:21 pm Post subject: Dear Friends; My trumpet teacher have a Couesnon Flugel with serial no 79xxx. Its in gold lacqer in excellent condition. I wish to know where I can Found the serial number Info to track the year of manufacture.
Thanks 3X+ 1976 L.A. BENGE 3X+ 1987 USA BENGE 3FL 1985 USA BENGE FLUGELHORN GIARDINELLI 6C & 6M MOUTHPIECE BACH 3CFL MOUTHPIECE THE PEACE OF GOD BE WITH ALL OF YOU This Message was edited by: FELIX C on 2004-01-31 19:21 BeboppinFool Donald Reinhardt Forum Moderator Joined: 28 Dec 2001 Posts: 6208 Location: AVL NC USA Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2004 6:59 pm Post subject: Is there a little pineapple on the bell with a number in it? If so, that is the year your instrument was made. Tom Turner told me about that when I was trying to figure out the age of my Couesnon cornet. Rich Balt58 Regular Member Joined: 17 Dec 2001 Posts: 39 Location: Orlando Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2004 7:54 am Post subject: I mean this in the best way possible - in a word, Good luck.
![Couesnon flugelhorn serial numbers Couesnon flugelhorn serial numbers](http://www.saxpics.com/Couesnon/thumbs/header.jpg)
There is a lot of conjecture about Cousenon's serial scheme and it seems to be arbitrary at best. My first queenie flugel was built in the 60's and was in the 79XXX series as well (!) but I've seen horns allegedly made in the 70's and 80's with numbers just a few hundered on either side of 79XXX. The records are gone.
When PGM bought Couesenon in 1999, the serial numbers started over from 0000. Since none of the the heritage employees still work there, It would appear that when those marvelous horns were made will always be somewhat of a mystery. Those players who still have the card that came with the horn when new offer the best proof of a reference. Perhaps Cousenon should get it's own forum.
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