Heard of Couesnon company in Paris, maker of Saxophones?

[BeverlyI]

Hello! I started playing the Alto Saxophone in 1976 and my parents bought me a used horn to start since they weren't convinced I would stick with it. I did get a new sax in high school, so this one was played by me for about 5 years. I continued playing through college and still play for Alumni Band at the University of Pittsburgh from time to time.

My parents just gave me my old Sax in an attempt to clean out their home. I have been trying to research the company who made the horn to see when it was made and what the value might be. If it's rare or valuable I would probably sell it. The horn is all brass. The bell says Couesnon, 105 Rue LaFayette, Paris, Monopole Conservatoires. There is some fancy scroll work on the rest of the bell and at the base there is the number 7391 and MADE IN FRANCE stamped.

The keys are all mother of pearl and the finish is a good bit worn but looks like it would shine up nicely. The keys were re-padded when I played. I do see one missing spring that moves the f# key (I believe - I'm a bit rusty!) I have the ability to send .jpg images if anyone wants to see the details.

Any information on the company and the potential value of the horn would be appreciated GREATLY! :)

[stitch]

Check saxpics' site Beverly: www.saxpics.com for a brief history. Couesnons are well regarded horns, though that is often not reflected in their price. I really only know what I learnt from saxpics (I have a Monopole tenor), but perhaps others will be able to add more.

[BeverlyI]

Thanks, Stitch! I really appreciate the reply. From looking at the pictures at saxpics.com, I think that mine is from the Series I for Monopole (1937 to 1949) The logo is smaller than the Series II and the C in Couesnon is around the O and then the rest of the word comes out of that. Also the serial number being 7391 probably means mine is a bit later in that time period since the site also says these horns go up to numbers around 8200.

Any more information would be great if anyone else knows more.

Does anyone else think my parents were nuts to give me an antique horn like this as a starter horn!? :D

[singlereed]

They are nice saxophones and it was a good choice because it really is professional quality, so it has lasting value. I bought one for my daughter to learn on, (mine was a Monopole from about 1955) but found the key work a bit clumsy and awkward for a 9 year old. That was the only criticism, it was built like a tank and had a very sweet sound. I don't think you will find much info beyond that you saw on Saxpics site, but there is some discussion of these under 'Miscellaneous French Saxophones' on this forum.

[I. Fallon]

Well BeverlyI, I bought one for my (then) nine year old son to use, and I am nuts.

At the 7XXX serial number range, your horn should have rolled tone holes. They are beautifully engineered and great sounding, but are generally not appreciated. I play an alto, tenor, and bari Couesnon Monopole and love all of them.

When found on eBay, they generally have something wrong with them (such as a dented tonehole) because people play them, then do not want to invest in a repair since it is not a high "value" instrument. One is on eBay now for about $200 and it is not being bid up.

I would keep it, since this is the next logical SML type horn, it is only a matter of time. They play great and you can take it anywhere without fear of theft.

Couesnon (pronounced Quin-on) was famous for their flugelhorn, and most modern flugelhorns are a copy of their design. The Monopole was their top of the line and were deemed suitable for students of the French Music Conservatory. They made a full line of instruments (I have even seen marching drums, flutes, and violins).

[BeverlyI]

Thanks for the replies Singlereed and I. Fallon!

I have decided to keep it when my six year old son came into my office and saw it. I asked him if he wanted to play the saxophone and if he did I would keep it for him to play. He said he did, so I'll keep it at least until he decides otherwise. Then, there is always my 2 1/2 year old!

This was a lot of fun but I realize how sorely out of practice I am - I had to really think about what rolled tone holes were (and my horn does have them, now that I look). :D

I think mine may have been stripped of it's lacquer since the fancy decoration on the bell is somewhat light and the finish looks tarnished. Oh, well. It was a good starter horn - my parents must have known what they were doing afterall!

[singlereed]

I Fallon was quite right - mine was an eBay horn and had taken a bang near one of the tone holes which some fool had filed down, damaging the rolled hole. It had also had a few prangs to the keywork I think as it was a bit crooked. I had it re-padded and it sounded great but as I say, mine was a bit clumsy and it was one of those, again as I Fallon says, that I could't justify spending any more money on, so I cut my losses and sold it on. However, I am sure if you get one that's been looked after, or been expertly overhauled, then its a sleeping classic, and very good value.

[BeverlyI]

I don't see any damage to the tone holes on my Cousnon. The only things I notice wrong with it are the little round key toward the bottom (excuse me not knowing what note this produces!) is missing the pin to make it snap back and that key is a white plastic looking tab not mother of pearl like the rest of the keys. I assume those are easily enough replaced and not terribly expensive repairs.

I know that the pads were replaced, but it is so dirty! Does anyone know of a reputable place in Southwestern Pennsylania to have it cleaned and/or refurbished? Perhaps this is a question I should ask in a new topic?

[I. Fallon]

Replacing a spring is no big deal for a repairman.

The lacquer on these horns is quite thin and do not age well (its a French saxophone thing, which may be one of the reasons why they play so well). Try some Pledge or Old English furniture polish. I would certainly not spend the money (and possibly ruin the horn) by re-lacquering it.

The Couesnon hard rubber mouthpiece is a joy on these horns, particularly for classical playing. They appear on eBay several times a year and go for a few dollars.

Elsewhere on this forum is a plug on a Bootman method for drilling reeds. I would buy some fairly soft reeds, say a 2, drill them, and start honking. The Couesnon is too good of a horn to keep in a box (which is why it is rare to see one in pristine condition, they are a player's horn).

Intonation is spot on with all of them.

By the way, I believe you have the one with a solid brass thumb rest, and I think these play better than the later ones with a stamped sheetmetal thumb rest.

Actually, I think that the double neck on these horns is a blessing for beginners since the octave linkage is more protective. Don't misplace the neck because there is a lot of variation between horns (they were all hand made) and you will never find a replacement.

Good luck with your find.

[BeverlyI]

I would never have thought to polish it with furniture polish. The left hand thumb rest is Mother of Pearl and the Right thumb hook looks like brass(?) I have a lot to re-learn.

I am so glad I posted the question on this site. I have learned a great deal! It has also given me a little guilt about what a brat I was when I was learning to play and had this "ugly" saxophone when everyone else had a new shiny one. I probably had the best horn in the school and only whined about how it looked. My parents did buy me a new horn when I joined the marching band in high school and after someone knocked it out of the stands and it landed on it's neck, it's probably a good thing it wasn't this horn! Well, that one got fixed, then I took it to college with me and it was stolen when I left it for repairs over the summer. I guess I've had my share of Saxophone woes, but I had enough fun in band to make up for them!

Thanks again for all your replies. This is a really fun place!

[I. Fallon]

I think that it would be "nuttier" to use a Couesnon Monopole in a marching band or leave out in the rain at a football game than to let a nine year old practice on one!

You had to stand out while playing it among the other student horns. The difference at even a young age was striking for me when I heard my son. You may have not noticed it yourself since I enjoyed playing a Cannonball tenor in a store and my wife and son said that it was a pale comparison with the Monopole at home.

A worthwhile improvement may be the purchase of a nice case such as a Selmer flight case or similar. You can pick these up on eBay after a little looking for about $75.00 The original Couesnon case does not fit snugly and movement is a constant danger to a saxophone. Any case designed to fit a Selmer (which is all of them) will fit the Couesnon perfectly.

Do not attempt to use a metal Otto Link mouthpiece with it. I tried it once and the sound was the most hideous creation I have ever heard (a metal Link works great on the tenor Couesnon, however).

[BeverlyI]

That's a great tip about the Selmer case. The original case I have is damaged on one side then patched with black tape.

The mouthpiece I have is clear and I remember it would get REALLY GROSS when playing. (which makes one wonder how gross they all get and we don't notice as much. Good thing we clean them every time we play!

Well, I don't know if the band teacher in 5th grade could tell any difference in my ability and others'. I had gotten out the practice book and learned the first three notes or so before the first lesson and he had us put our fingers on the wrong keys. So I told him where they should go! Then in middle school there was a girl much better than me. She gave up the sax after 8th grade. After 8th grade (and especially in college) is when it pays off to play an insturment and join the marching and jazz bands! Oh, well!