Black Dyke's Zoe Hancock recently put the Ray Farr Signature Raw Brass flugel through its paces in a review for Brass Band World magazine.

This is what she thought:

"It’s always exciting when a new flugel horn comes on the market.

I first heard about the Ray Farr Signature Raw Brass Flugel when I was in America doing some guest soloist work in October last year.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t answer any questions about the instrument because, at the time, I hadn’t seen or played it.

I’ve had the instrument for three weeks now and have thoroughly enjoyed having a blow on this unique redesigned flugel."

Intonation:

"Flugel horns are probably the hardest instruments to get in tune, but I was very impressed by the intonation of this instrument, right from the bottom to the top of the register."

Ease of Blowing/Tone:

"In a brass band the flugel horn is part of the horn section and either doubles up with the solo horn, or is heard as the highest voice. Therefore, the tone of the flugel should be mellow and rich to match with the middle of the band.

The Ray Farr Signature Raw Brass Flugel does have a good tone, especially in the lower and middle registers. Also, you can hear all the clarity coming through when double and triple tonguing or playing technical passages, unlike other flugels where sometimes it can get lost.

It is remarkably free blowing in the middle and lower registers, although for me personally, it wasn’t quite as easy in the upper register, especially in the quieter dynamics.

Trying to play a quiet and controlled high A or over at pianissimo proved tricky. All players are different, but for me though the higher register wasn’t as free blowing as my own instrument." (Vincent Bach Stradivarius)

Design:

"The designer, Chris Waters of County Instruments has totally changed the design of the instrument.

The valve case is now the same side of the bell as a Bb cornet, which for most flugel players will probably take some time to get used to due to the different hand position.

The size of the bell is a lot larger than most flugel horns, which is great for amplifying the sound, and the valves are great too – really slick and fast.

The instrument is also Bell Stayless – a strong tapered ferrule enabling both ends of the main bow and bell to butt totally, proving the strongest of joints that enables forceful mute twisting insertion and withdrawal, as well as (say the manufacturer) providing ‘smooth sine wave air-flow throughout the conical bell, being free from nodal point wave distortions and damaging interruptions, giving the truest of sounds.’"

The intonation is the best I have ever played, which I feel the other leading flugels haven’t mastered yetBlack Dyke's Zoe Hancock

Overall:

"A very good instrument and a design that I think flugel players will take time to get used to, if they do decide to by.

The intonation is the best I have ever played, which I feel the other leading flugels haven’t mastered yet."

More information:
http://www.rawbrass.co.uk/

Read the full review and buy Brass Band World Magazine
http://brassbandworld.com/