Couesnon V SML V Buffet V Dolnet V Selmer

[saxyben]

:D Hi Excuse me for being provocative, but I am just waiting for a Couesnon Monopole 2 Alto to be delivered after buying one from the infamous Ebay. Firstly to put this into perspective the Sax, much as I love the sound is not my main instrument as I am a Pop musician / Producer programmer. However I know quality and I have owned 5 saxophones in my life, 3 Selmers including a MK7 Tenor, Cigar Cutter tenor, Super large bore / Cigar Alto. For a while I worked in a second hand music store, so I have also played Yamahas, a Yani a Buffet (very nice) and loads of Jupiters and student models where the pads fall out etc.
Due to financial reasons I sold my last Selmer in the summer, but also the power of the internet and forums like this have made me realise that there is more to saxophones than Selmer.
Saxpics is a great site and I have been there more times than I would like to admit, but now even I have become a SML searcher looking for the elusive Rev D / GM 1, even though I have not played one.
And then there is Couesnon, which is not as hyped as SML by any means, yet it has rolled tone holes (the best Conns and SMLs have ) a double socket neck that the best Kings have and an articulated G# that the SMLs have. To confuse things even more there is no manufacturers current home page as they went out of business, there are no serial number charts and they hide them under the pads supposedly. Couesnon supposedly only made Pro Saxophones, they're Flugel horns are The Jazz flugel horn,(Ps there was a SML trumpet on Ebay recently so Couesnon are not the only French manufacturer to make brass instruments.) and some forum posts I have seen have said that sax players prefer Couesnons to Yamahas and many other makes. Websites selling them say how good they are but still sell them comparitively cheaply http://www.repairworkshop.co.uk/instruments_for_sale_menu.htm
http://www.worldwidesax.com/photo.htm
Come on Couesnon owners lets try to compile a serial number chart and promote these quality saxophones!!! :)

[barelytone]

No experience, but I am always tempted to buy one because their keyguards are so stylish

[Jerry K.]

I have owned a Dolnet Alto, Cuesnon Monopole Alto, Buffet SDA Alto, and Selmer Series II Tenor. I still own the Buffet and it is my favorite alto. My Cuesnon was a mint original lacquer example and had the best intonation of any horn I have "ever" played. Though this horn was beautiful to look at and had great intonation the tone for me was somewhat lacking. Don't get me wrong the tone was clear and pleasant, sort of a sweet sounding tone. It's just that my preference leans towards dark, gutsy and complex in an alto and this isn't what the Cuesnon was about to my ear. My other main alto is a The Martin - enough said?

[saxyben]

:D
Thanks for the replies. The keyguards are pretty stylish and as soon as my new one arrives I will comment more on the sound.

[Di]

I have the aforementioned horn , purchased from JerryK.
It is mint, hardly a mark on it and I love it. Its true about the tone, beautiful, sweet, probably make a wonderful horn for classical playing.
I'm sure that you will love playing yours, let us know!
I second the vote for the Martin, I have one of those too.

[barelytone]

I have to put Pierret in with this mix. The tenor I have is in tune, great full tone (has been compared to SBA in this regard). How is the keywork on Couesnon?

[Jerry K.]

Hey Di, I didn't know you were a regular here. Glad to you hear that you are enjoying your horn. I couldn't agree more that the Cuesnons would make excellent classical horns. Given the tone and spot on intonation I imagine that's what they were designed for.

[saxyben]

:D
After 4 long weeks, the Couesnon Monople 2 has arrived (good old Ebay has not let me down this time, always make sure the seller has good feedback though and don't bid on non existent Selmer Mark 6s) and I have to say the other comments on this forum and saxpics are pretty accurate.
It is a quality constructed saxophone. The rolled tone holes are not damaged and seal perfectly, the grouped keyguard is cool, although the single one on the bottom is fairly unusual. The octave mechanism seems quite large compared to my ex Selmer Super / Cigar Cutter. The keywork action is also comparable to the Selmer and is better than I had expected. The intonation is excellent and even when you close the keys without blowing into it, the you can hear the notes clearly (there is probably a technical name for this , but I don't know it). The tone with my Dukoff is very crisp, but I will have to experiment with other mouthpieces to find the full range of tones. Any recommendations??
All in all a classy saxophone and if you are after a quality horn at a reasonable price, look out for them.
The serial number is 90XX, does anybody have any ideas on when this was made, as it would be good if we could compile a serial number chart if possible.
Thanks for all the replies, keep them coming. :D

[Kritavi]

I owned a Couesnon alto, very nice. Not as nice as my King Marigaux SML though. Even better is my Buffet SDA done up with brass reso techs on a recent overhaul. I agree with Jerry on that. The Couesnon is a fine horn at a lower price then the Buffets or SML. I was impresed with the tone quality, but not enough juice for my types of playing.

[singlereed]

They are well made and have a classy sound but I found the ergonomics on an alto not to be of the same order as a Selmer (VI or later) or Buffet S1. Mine had been round the block a bit but was properly refurbished, but even so, some of the keywork was a bit awkward. Still, its a lot better than a lot of USA horns from the period and as such makes a great sound for the money.