Introduction:
In a market place that is fast becoming over-crowded with instruments that are merely variations on a standard theme, it is not surprising that it’s getting increasingly difficult to pick out something that has the specific musical identity you are really looking for.
Flugel horns are a case in point - from cheap entry level student models to bespoke top of range professional instruments: And we don’t just mean different looking either.
Lots of them now do the same thing - many well very - but how many can offer a player that little something extra to stand out from the crowd?
Background:
The name Fohqudill may not trip off the tongue with ease to start, but given the long held reputation of its parent company, F.H. Lambert, for its engineering expertise in decorative metal plating, brass instrument repair and renovation within the music trade, it may not come as a surprise that they are now manufacturing top end instruments themselves.
As a result, it’s a name that may soon become much more familiar to brass band performers around the world.
Bespoke
The Fohqudill factory has taken a considered look at the current market place and has decided to carefully introduce a range of instruments - starting with a cornet, flugel horn and trumpet.
Their workshop is connected to its main business premises in Watford, with a small team of highly experienced craftsmen, producing instruments to order.
4BR has had its hands on their new flugel horn for some time now - and given it a thorough road test, looking at our usual four main areas, with a little help from a few friends: Build Quality/Design; Intonation; Ease of blowing/Tone and Overall Performance/Value for money.
Our overall star rating will be given at the end:
: Sub standard quality and characteristics in all four areas
:Average standard quality and characteristics in all four areas
: A mix of average and good standard quality and characteristics in all four areas
: Very good standard quality and characteristics in all four areas
: Exceptional standard quality and characteristics in all four areas
Build Quality/Design:
Almost from the moment it was taken out of its plastic wrapper, the flugel impressed with its build quality and design: Thought and thoughtfulness has obviously gone into it.
The instrument we had came with a few options - with a gold brass bell and heavy bottom caps on the valves, but it was the basic quality of the construction and ergonomic feel that put a smile on the face before a note was blown.
There was a real solidity about it: The materials looked and felt the part; nothing flimsy or cheap. Once in the hand it was balanced and sturdy.
The mechanics were also top notch: The valve block looked as if it was hewn out of a solid lump of vulcanized laver, with the hand lapped valves, smooth and remarkably quiet.
The third slide trigger was slick, helped by a nifty mini-bal adjustment mechanism, and even the ‘Saturn ring’ waterkeys worked perfectly once you got the hang of them. All the slides and gubbings were also snugly fitted and could be adjusted without you mimicking the opening of troublesome bottle of champagne.
The neatly laid out design is nothing radical - but doesn’t need to be; with a circular little finger-ring an option for those who like that sort of thing.
It’s not the biggest flugel around, but it hasn’t got a single ounce of unwanted fat either.
The finish (satin brushed grain - but there are endless finishes to choose from) was something else though - testament to F.H. Lambert’s reputation as one of the aviation industries leading metal platers. You could have eaten your dinner off it.
Overall:
Hard to find fault - and we do mean that.
It isn’t the biggest of flugel horns, but the considered design makes it compact and balanced.
The build quality is up there with the very best, and care and attention has certainly been paid to what you see and what you don’t.
Intonation:
Finding out the particular intonation characteristics of the flugel was a bit of a challenge - but in a very good way.
There is a well tempered neutrality about the instrument (.433 bore with #F52 bell) that would make Switzerland go green with envy - and at both extremes of the notational and dynamic range.
There is plenty of length on the leadpipe just in case you play in a horn section that is as tunefully wayward as a herd of cats, with the third slide trigger responsive enough to make delicate adjustments in the well known trouble spots of the third valve world.
You certainly don’t need to employ more false fingering techniques than an Oxford Street pickpocket.
An experienced player can make the most of these well-centered characteristics - giving scope to feel secure with intonation either when giving it the full dynamic monty or when exploring the outer reaches of the range.
Overall:
Good stuff - and a pleasant surprise given the problems you can get with some flugel horns.
It rewards a player with good chops and keen ears.
Ease of Blowing/Tone:
As we have said - it’s not the biggest flugel beast in the world, but size isn’t everything.
Our guinea pig test drivers soon found that it what it lacked in sheer grunt, it more than made up in flexibility (that said it does have it does have that .433 bore and newly designed leadpipe) - coming into its own with a considered technique and a light touch.
That said, it didn’t feel constrained at either ends of its range (it has an unbraced bell) - but it isn’t an instrument to go trying to blow the roof off with either.
Use your musical brain and this becomes a very flexible tool in the right hands and lips: Then its more refined characteristics starts to come into their own.
It the type of instrument that has a distinctive timbre; light, resonant and burnished - ideally suited for a soloist or section player who doesn’t want to sound like a fourth tenor horn: Something that can stand you out from the crowd.
Overall:
Big isn’t always necessarily beautiful - and in this day and age when everything seems to want to be ‘super sized’, the flugel’s refined characteristics are a bit of a joy.
Its tonal characteristics are different and malleable in the right hands - and reward cultured appreciation, especially for a player who can make the most of its compact flexibility.
Overall Performance/Value for Money:
This is an instrument that impressed the more you played it.
Fohqudill have been brave and have stick to their guns here - not opting to produce yet another off the shelf instrument that has Barbie Doll looks but Barbie Doll artificiality to go with it.
The build quality is superb in a compact design, whilst the instrument has cracking intonation, ease of blowing and tonal qualities.
It’s not the biggest or boldest sounding flugel around - a neat size 10 to rivals super sized 16, but as a result its lighter timbre offers much more flexibility, especially to an experienced band player and soloist.
You do get quality for your money as well: £2,000 for the satin or polished finish, up to £2,600 if you want to push the boat out and go gold. Check the options out though - the finishes are simply superb.
Up against the professional models from Vincent Bach, Courtois, Geneva, Yamaha, Conn, Stomvi, etc (all in or around the same price range) it does give you plenty to think about and consider.
The Fohqudill flugel also comes with gig bag, maintenance kit and 12 months guarantee, whilst the company has a fine reputation for excellent customer service.
Overall:
In an age when we are desperately in need of a touch of individuality and refinement the Fohqudill flugel horn gives you that and quite a bit more.
This is not yet another tricksy variation on a standard theme in any way shape or form - but neither is it too far off track to make it an instrument that cannot handle the everyday tasks of hard use in a modern brass band.
Fohqudill’s bravery to sticking by its guns has been rewarded with a very fine instrument.
Overall 4BR star rating:
: Very good standard of quality and characteristics in all four areas
Specifications:
Bore: .433
Slides: Brass inner, Nickel silver outer, 3rd slide trigger
Bell: Gold brass or Red brass
Finish: Raw, Lacquer, Silver, Gold (Polish or Satin) or as requested
Options: Heavy bottom caps, Trigger adjustment
Accessories: Protec hard case, Ultrapure oil and Grease, Cleaning cloth and a 12 month guarantee
Price: From £2000
Direct from Fohqudill Instruments
Watford West Works
85a Hagden Lane
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD18 7UA
Tel: (0044) 01923 229 444
