The flugelhorn is a musical instrument that resembles a trumpet in some ways. The major difference between this instrument and trumpet is that its tubing often features a larger diameter.
As a result of this, the sound of a flugelhorn is known to be darker and deeper than what a trumpet can produce.
What are the Best Professional Flugelhorn?
2) Bach FH600 Aristocrat Series Bb Flugelhorn
- Two-piece yellow brass bell
- Bach 7C flugelhorn mouthpiece
- Lacquer finish
- Monel valves; Vertical valve slides with 3rd valve slide trigger
1) Yamaha YFH-631G Series Bb Flugelhorn
- Rich and dark sound
- Made of gold brass
- The mouthpiece and case included in the package
- Hand-lapped pistons and slides
3) Yamaha YFH-8310Z Custom Z Series Bb Flugelhorn
- Rich tone
- Comes with top-notch intonation
- Made of a one-piece
- Gold brass leadpipe
- High quality
Tips for Buying a Flugelhorn
When buying a flugelhorn, there are a couple of things you should consider. Here are some important tips for buying this musical instrument.
· Note the size and weight
There is a small variation in the size of flugelhorns. This variation can affect the playing style of each flugelhorn. If you intend to be holding and playing the flugelhorn for a long period, you should consider going for a light-weight flugelhorn.
However, if you want something that feels more balanced in your hand, bigger and heavier ones may be your perfect choice. Anyway, make sure your chosen instrument fits your playing style.
· Consider tone quality
Some flugelhorns sound like trumpets. However, those types shouldn’t be your choice. Go for something with great tone quality and exceptional intonation that will make people understand that you are playing a unique musical instrument.
· Check out the material and finish
The finish of the brass of this instrument determines its beauty. However, the finish also adds to its sound quality. Gold or yellow brass finish gives you an awesome darker sound. This is the particular sound associated with a flugelhorn. Silver brass finish, on the other hand, offers a sound that looks like what you will get from a trumpet. The choice is all yours.
Other crucial factors you should consider include the bore size, valve, and mouthpiece.
5 Best Professional Flugelhorn Reviews
1) Yamaha YFH-631G Series Bb Flugelhorn
The Yamaha YFH631G Professional Bb Flugelhorn delivers an excellently rich and dark sound that makes the instrument the perfect choice for jazz music. All thanks to its bell that is made of gold brass.
This flugelhorn comes with the traditional vertical valve tubing as well as the conventional Monel pistons that are capable of withstanding corrosion. These materials are also great at maintaining their smooth action and precise fit for several years to come.
The tubing is impeccably rounded and pressure-formed; thus, there is less turbulence, reduced resistance, and unparalleled scale when playing the YFH-613G.
The mouthpiece and case included in the package are of exceptional quality like other items that make up this musical instrument. Notably, the included mouthpiece receiver is movable; hence, you can tune it with ease.
Besides, the YFH-631G has hand-lapped pistons and slides that provide the needed fit and seal between the slide parts or casing and the pistons. These pistons and slides contribute significantly to the enhanced intonation and response that the instrument delivers every time it is played.
This flugelhorn plays in key Bb and has a .433 inch bore. Since the instrument is multicolored, it tends to stand out among its equals. The weight of the Yamaha YFH631G Professional Bb Flugelhorn is 10.65 pounds while its product dimensions are 20.5 x 9.2 x 14 inches.
2) Bach FH600 Aristocrat Series Bb Flugelhorn
Like most other flugelhorns, the Bach Aristocrat Bb Flugelhorn plays in the key of Bb and features a .434" bore. It comprises a stylish and highly functional two-piece yellow brass that delivers some of the best tones you can ever expect from a flugelhorn of its size and range. The projection of this musical instrument is undoubtedly fantastic.
Generally, the instrument has top-quality vertical valve slides. In addition, the Bach Aristocrat Bb Flugelhorn has a third slide trigger that is big enough to accommodate most hand sizes. Also, the slide trigger is designed in a way that ensures that tuning adjustment will be easy for the player irrespective of their tuning expertise.
Another amazing feature of the Bach Aristocrat Bb Flugelhorn is its Bach 7C flugelhorn mouthpiece. Since this mouthpiece is a proprietary feature of Bach products, you may not find it in any products from other manufacturers. Overall, this musical instrument has an eye-catching appearance.
And the lacquer finish further contributes to the aesthetics. When you get the package of this product, you will also receive a Cordura-covered case. The Bach Aristocrat Bb Flugelhorn weighs only 8.8 pounds and has dimensions of 22 x 14 x 11.5 inches. Hence, it has the smallest size on this list and is perfect for anyone that does gigs for several hours.
3) Yamaha YFH-8310Z Custom Z Series Bb Flugelhorn
As expected from the brand, Yamaha YFH-8310Z Custom Z Series Bb Flugelhorn has several great features that enable it to provide the depth of character that is only associated with the older traditional flugelhorns.
Moreover, the instrument is rich in tone, playable, and comes with top-notch intonation that will capture the heart of the listeners. All thanks to the high-tech engineering behind the design and production of this product.
The lead pipe of Yamaha YFH-8310Z Custom Z Series Bb Flugelhorn has been redesigned from the previous ones to ensure better sound production. Also, there is a connection tube the links the valve casing to this leadpipe.
The bell of the YFH-8310Z is made of a one-piece, yellow brass material that ensures that you get a flugelhorn-like sound quality. The diameter of this bell is measured to be 151.8mm. The clear lacquer is used for creating the finish while the mouthpiece is known to be FH-SHEW.
This musical instrument boasts of having the Monel pistons which are generally capable of withstanding corrosion. The pistons are also great for long-term use because they can retain their seamless action and precise fit for a lot of years.
The YFH-8310Z features the ergonomic third valve slide trigger which is suitable for different sizes of hands. The dimensions of this flugelhorn are 23.6 x 9.4 x 14.2 inches whereas the weight is 10.58 pounds.
4) Yamaha YFH-8315G Custom Series Bb Flugelhorn
This instrument belongs to a series of Yamaha custom flugelhorns that have elements of the most exceptional traditional craftsmanship in the world as well as modern designs.
As a result of this, the YFH-8315G is a fresh breath in the world of flugelhorns. This musical instrument comes with vertical valve tubing that guarantees flexible intonation that you can hardly get from other similar instruments.
The movable mouthpiece also ensures that you don’t have to stick to a particular pattern when playing the YFH-8315G. Irrespective of the size of your hands, the third valve slide trigger has been ergonomically manufactured to accommodate them.
Furthermore, the leadpipe of this instrument is a new design. So, you can only find it in a few other Yamaha products of the same or higher quality. The outer leadpipe area is also well designed.
Additionally, a new connection brace has been designed to sit between the valve casing and the leadpipe. The YFH-8315G also has hand-lapped pistons and slides. These guarantee a great seal and fit; thus, making sure that the seamless action and airflow can be achieved.
Also, this ideal fit is instrumental in boosting the intonation and response of this flugelhorn. The YFH-8315G works in the key of Bb. Besides, its weight is 10.58 pounds.
5) Jupiter Intermediate Bb Flugelhorn with Silver-Plated Rose Brass Bell, JFH1100RS
The Jupiter JFH 1100RS is a flugelhorn that has been specially designed by Jupiter. This amazing flugelhorn comprises a rose brass bell that delivers exceptional sonic presence than most other instruments of its kind.
This bell also determines the tonal warmth that this musical instrument delivers every time that it is played. It should be noted that Jupiter JFH-1100R Intermediate Bb Flugelhorn comes with a yellow brass; hence, it produces the kind of sound you will expect from a flugelhorn.
With the aid of its French tuning slides, you don’t have to worry about tuning the instrument to perfection. These slides allow you to adjust the flugelhorn easily and boost its overall intonation characteristics.
This instrument has a .413" small bore design that makes it ideal for the majority of flugelhorn players. Furthermore, when you have this flugelhorn, you get high-quality hand-fitted, dual-lapped Monel valves.
The basic essence of the valves is that they make it easy for you to operate the instrument. They are also responsible for fast, responsive action as you continue playing the musical instrument.
Since the playability of this instrument is excellent, many flugelhorn players have made this instrument their favorite. In conclusion, the Jupiter JFH-1100R Intermediate Bb Flugelhorn weighs just 13.89 pounds.
Choosing the Best Professional Flugelhorn
Let’s end this post by taking a look at what it takes to maintain a flugelhorn. When it comes to inserting the mouthpiece into the flugelhorn, you need to be very careful so that you will not do it incorrectly.
Take the time to understand how to insert it and do it gently. Generally, you need to twist the mouthpiece slightly when inserting it into the instrument. Similarly, when it is time for you to remove the mouthpiece, don’t use force especially when it is stuck.
2) Bach FH600 Aristocrat Series Bb Flugelhorn
- Two-piece yellow brass bell
- Bach 7C flugelhorn mouthpiece
- Lacquer finish
- Monel valves; Vertical valve slides with 3rd valve slide trigger
1) Yamaha YFH-631G Series Bb Flugelhorn
- Rich and dark sound
- Made of gold brass
- The mouthpiece and case included in the package
- Hand-lapped pistons and slides
3) Yamaha YFH-8310Z Custom Z Series Bb Flugelhorn
- Rich tone
- Comes with top-notch intonation
- Made of a one-piece
- Gold brass leadpipe
- High quality
Also, when you are not using your flugelhorn, don’t remove it from its carrying case and don’t expose it to any extreme weather.
In addition, when you are done playing it, use valve oil to clean the valves, and dry off the whole instrument. If you can do all these things regularly, you will have no problem with using a flugelhorn for a long period.