I'd think that production of saxophones was no more than 500 horns per year.Īlso note that the 'Bel Air' series introduced letters after the serial number. It seems, however, that the serial number ranges incorporate the full production of ALL instruments produced by Dolnet, not just saxophones. All this makes me agree with David Hughes (an e-mailer): the Dolnets were produced until at least the mid-1980's, not the 1960's as many websites indicate (see also Saxophon-Service, which advocates an end date of 1984).Īs mentioned, there isn't an official serial number list, although there are some ranges cobbled together, below. The overall look is definitely influenced by (or influenced) Couesnon horns. IMHO, it appears that Dolnet production parallels Buffet, SML and Couesnon production, more than Selmer: not only is the keywork design on early Dolnets similar to early SML's (and becomes similar to Buffet after about 1940), some of the Jean Cartier stencils have the beautiful Sparkle Lacquer that is most famously found on the Buffet Super Dynaction. original silver plating great compression and valves work The Couesnon company was started in 1827, in Chteau Thierry. See page #193 of the German book 'That's Jazz', for a photo of Lester Young playing a Dolnet tenor. and the quoted and requoted line that's going around the Internet (this is Wichita Band Instruments' version):ĭolnet horns were produced in very small numbers by a small French workshop that specialized in saxes.

There is much in common with Selmers in terms of technical points and general ease of action and feel, though sometimes there are small errors in construction - such as occasional solder- and rod-looseness both very easily dealt with - but not worth getting 'sniffy' about if you want a potentially superb instrument like a Dolnet. I understand that there were two partners in the Dolnet company, going by the names of Messieurs Pigis and Lefevre their workshop was situated at Mantes, the historical 'heart' of France's woodwind craft workshops, and fascinatingly, the home of the Selmer marque. This fine thing is a Couesnon Bb flugelhorn.

They are often good - sometimes breathtaking - and rank amongst the best saxes I've ever played! LOVELY COUESNON FLUGELHORN IN SILVER PLATE FROM 1953 Dark, smoky, jazzy, legendary.those are just a few of the many many ways players and fans alike have used to describe the marvel that is the Parisian Queen of Flugels.

Along the way I've made a small collection of Dolnets these I regard as unknown treasures of the sax world, and I rate them very highly indeed. Over the years I've been exclusively collecting French saxes.

Couesnon flugelhorn serial numbers