Well, I bought one. It arrived today. The intonation is far better than the intonation on my other flugel, which was pretty much a nightmare from day one. This Dillon horn is also very easy to play. It performs best with light valve oil. Many thanks for reviewing this!
Thanks for the review. Retired and considering picking up the brass again. Lead trumpet back in highschool and college back in the day. I owned a Getzen Capri Trumpet, a Yamaha Trumpet, and a Getzen Eterna Flugelhorn.
Kurt, I have to say, I made my comeback to brass about 15 years ago and I've had a blast. The practice I used to dread and avoid is now a relaxing part of my day. :) Good luck - and keep in touch! :) Also, TrumpetHerald.com is a great source for used instruments (in the Marketplace there), and good ideas as well.
@@JonathanMilam1 Been watching a lot of videos on extending range and how to properly blow the trumpet. Also looking at different mouth piece designs. Was a Chuck Mangione fan back in the day. Never really had a teacher back then that understood what the correct embouchure was by today's standards. I will be starting over from scratch and experimenting with mouthpieces and may try placing mouth piece offset to one side of the other.
He's right on with this review. I have gone through a good dozen flugels, including some supposedly high end ones (Getzen, Schilke, and others) and every one has had intonation problems. I bought this horn from Dillon's when I was visiting family in New Jersey. Ok. The build quality leaves something to be desired. My trigger came off, and I've got some bad lacquer wear. With that said, the valves work great, the sound is perfect for my purposes. I've had it maybe 6 or 7 years. It plays EXACTLY like an older Yamaha 629 (not a 729). I have looked at a few others, but why? This one works fine. A fabulous value. I think that the ACB Doubler's are essentially the same horn; maybe with some fancier finishes. And a lot more expensive.
Steve - thanks for your comments! Bummer that you've had lacquer and trigger problems!! But it's a nice playing flugel - and super well priced. Take care - and continued best wishes. :)
Jonathan, have you played the yellow brass model compared to the rose brass that you’re featuring in this video?. I understand that the rose brass is a little deeper, but I also heard that Rose brass is a slower response than the yellow brass. At this time. Dillion is only offering gold brass do you actually think there’s that much difference in the two metals? Hope you’re doing well. Sending this message the day after Thanksgiving was a full belly watching football. God bless you and family. Paul
Great channel! Im a trumpet and cornet player looking to grab my first flugel. Ive watched your videos on both the Thomann and this Dillion (you had great tone on both!). Which do you feel has better intonation and tone? The thomann is cheaper but i dont mind springing for the Dillon if it is a superior instrument.
I’m impressed with the Dillon. Flugels are odd instruments and very often have intonation problems so severe that it can Rob the joy of playing from the instrument. This Dillon very pleasantly surprised me, it’s a great value and I think they offer a trial period as well. Now for mouthpiece thoughts… I have flugel mouthpieces by several different makers-and I never let them go. Finding just the right mouthpiece for any flugel can be challenging; the more options one has, the better life is. I’m often on the lookout for used flugel mouthpieces at a good price, and it has REALLY paid off. Keep in touch - and good luck! :)
@@JonathanMilam1 thanks so much for your reply! I believe the Dillon is in my sights. Yes, I definitely wouldn't mind coming across a box of used pieces. Based on my cup preference (deeper, darker cups) I'm reading that Dennis wick 4f might be a good option. Any experience with DW pieces? Thanks for all you do! Your videos are invaluable for folks looking to make informed decisions on cheaper horns
I’m not a big DW guy, but I know some fine players that are. I buy used mouthpieces consistently. I wash them with Vinegar (a strong cleaner and disinfectant), and dishwashing liquid, and used to boil them to make sure they were clean. :) TrumpetHerald.com, EBay, and Reverb are great places to purchase resale pieces 50 to 65% off. Curry pieces, Wick, Reeves, Warburton, Schilke, Yamaha… They’re all available. You can spend more for mouthpieces than for horns, if one isn’t careful. :)
I know it's from China, almost certainly. I'm just surprised they don't mark the price up more - they certainly could, comparing this quality to other flugels.
Nice flugelhorn vid Jonathan. If the flugelhorn mouthpieces you have what do you feel makes a shallower one - a smaller rim width, a shorter v cup to the the throat or something else?
A flugel piece is ‘small’ to me if it’s relatively shallow AND has a not-too-large drill. The Benge 5 has a HUGE bell with notorious intonation issues, but a small(er) mouthpiece really helps.
Here is always where I list horns presently available. You can check my newest vids, but videos that are months and years old will rarely feature horns still available. Here’s the list… www.trumpetherald.com/marketplace.php?own=15921
Jonathan, have you played the yellow brass model compared to the rose brass that you’re featuring in this video?. I understand that the rose brass is a little deeper, but I also heard that Rose brass is a slower response than the yellow brass. At this time. Dillion is only offering gold brass do you actually think there’s that much difference in the two metals? Hope you’re doing well. Sending this message the day after Thanksgiving with a full belly, watching football. God bless you and family. Paul
I’ve only had the Rose brass bell. On trumpet, I generally prefer a lightweight yellow brass; I think it blends itself to more tone manipulation with mouthpieces. With flugels, since I buy used - I take whatever comes along. :) Since I want a darker, anti-trumpet tone, I’m happy with the rose gold. But I DO like my old 182 Strad flugel; it’s light brass and probably does respond nice and quickly. Hood thought on yellow brass, too! :)
Well, I bought one. It arrived today. The intonation is far better than the intonation on my other flugel, which was pretty much a nightmare from day one. This Dillon horn is also very easy to play. It performs best with light valve oil. Many thanks for reviewing this!
Fantastic! I’m thrilled to hear that the intonation on yours is good too! With a flugel this is SUCH a big deal. :)
Just bought a rose gold flugelhorn. Your review helped and I cannot wait to play on it!
Hope you enjoy it! A good flugel can be fun. They're just different enough from trumpet to be challenging. Let us know how you like it, please. :)
Thanks for the review. Retired and considering picking up the brass again. Lead trumpet back in highschool and college back in the day. I owned a Getzen Capri Trumpet, a Yamaha Trumpet, and a Getzen Eterna Flugelhorn.
Kurt, I have to say, I made my comeback to brass about 15 years ago and I've had a blast. The practice I used to dread and avoid is now a relaxing part of my day. :) Good luck - and keep in touch! :) Also, TrumpetHerald.com is a great source for used instruments (in the Marketplace there), and good ideas as well.
@@JonathanMilam1 Been watching a lot of videos on extending range and how to properly blow the trumpet. Also looking at different mouth piece designs. Was a Chuck Mangione fan back in the day. Never really had a teacher back then that understood what the correct embouchure was by today's standards. I will be starting over from scratch and experimenting with mouthpieces and may try placing mouth piece offset to one side of the other.
He's right on with this review. I have gone through a good dozen flugels, including some supposedly high end ones (Getzen, Schilke, and others) and every one has had intonation problems. I bought this horn from Dillon's when I was visiting family in New Jersey. Ok. The build quality leaves something to be desired. My trigger came off, and I've got some bad lacquer wear. With that said, the valves work great, the sound is perfect for my purposes. I've had it maybe 6 or 7 years. It plays EXACTLY like an older Yamaha 629 (not a 729). I have looked at a few others, but why? This one works fine. A fabulous value. I think that the ACB Doubler's are essentially the same horn; maybe with some fancier finishes. And a lot more expensive.
Steve - thanks for your comments! Bummer that you've had lacquer and trigger problems!! But it's a nice playing flugel - and super well priced. Take care - and continued best wishes. :)
Nice to know it holds up over the years.
Im going next week to try it out before I buy it. Cant wait. Thx for the review
Hope you enjoy it! And let us know how you enjoy Dillon's and your flugel hunt. :) Thanks for commenting, too.
Jonathan, have you played the yellow brass model compared to the rose brass that you’re featuring in this video?. I understand that the rose brass is a little deeper, but I also heard that Rose brass is a slower response than the yellow brass. At this time. Dillion is only offering gold brass do you actually think there’s that much difference in the two metals?
Hope you’re doing well. Sending this message the day after Thanksgiving was a full belly watching football. God bless you and family.
Paul
Great channel! Im a trumpet and cornet player looking to grab my first flugel. Ive watched your videos on both the Thomann and this Dillion (you had great tone on both!). Which do you feel has better intonation and tone? The thomann is cheaper but i dont mind springing for the Dillon if it is a superior instrument.
I’m impressed with the Dillon. Flugels are odd instruments and very often have intonation problems so severe that it can Rob the joy of playing from the instrument. This Dillon very pleasantly surprised me, it’s a great value and I think they offer a trial period as well. Now for mouthpiece thoughts… I have flugel mouthpieces by several different makers-and I never let them go. Finding just the right mouthpiece for any flugel can be challenging; the more options one has, the better life is. I’m often on the lookout for used flugel mouthpieces at a good price, and it has REALLY paid off. Keep in touch - and good luck! :)
@@JonathanMilam1 thanks so much for your reply! I believe the Dillon is in my sights. Yes, I definitely wouldn't mind coming across a box of used pieces. Based on my cup preference (deeper, darker cups) I'm reading that Dennis wick 4f might be a good option. Any experience with DW pieces? Thanks for all you do! Your videos are invaluable for folks looking to make informed decisions on cheaper horns
I’m not a big DW guy, but I know some fine players that are. I buy used mouthpieces consistently. I wash them with Vinegar (a strong cleaner and disinfectant), and dishwashing liquid, and used to boil them to make sure they were clean. :) TrumpetHerald.com, EBay, and Reverb are great places to purchase resale pieces 50 to 65% off. Curry pieces, Wick, Reeves, Warburton, Schilke, Yamaha… They’re all available. You can spend more for mouthpieces than for horns, if one isn’t careful. :)
Buying it. New Jupiter, THREE Dillons. New Yamaha, FOUR Dillons.
The Dillon flugel is simply a bargain. And there are precious few new brass bargains around. Thanks for commenting. :)
Still $475 as of 2024.
I know it's from China, almost certainly. I'm just surprised they don't mark the price up more - they certainly could, comparing this quality to other flugels.
Nice flugelhorn vid Jonathan. If the flugelhorn mouthpieces you have what do you feel makes a shallower one - a smaller rim width, a shorter v cup to the the throat or something else?
A flugel piece is ‘small’ to me if it’s relatively shallow AND has a not-too-large drill. The Benge 5 has a HUGE bell with notorious intonation issues, but a small(er) mouthpiece really helps.
Sounds good to me. I want one.
Definitely the best bargain I've found in a few years. :) Always good to hear from you, Guy. :)
Nice review. Nice horn.
Thanks, Michael. It's nice to find a good playing flugel. And when it's a great buy, it's even better. :) Thanks for commenting!
Mine really likes Stork mouthpieces. Curry and Bach, not so much. :(
I have never played a Stork mouthpiece. Maybe one of these days... :)
Is this horn still available?
Here is always where I list horns presently available. You can check my newest vids, but videos that are months and years old will rarely feature horns still available. Here’s the list…
www.trumpetherald.com/marketplace.php?own=15921
Low register plays well f# ?
Quite well, I think.
Jonathan, have you played the yellow brass model compared to the rose brass that you’re featuring in this video?. I understand that the rose brass is a little deeper, but I also heard that Rose brass is a slower response than the yellow brass. At this time. Dillion is only offering gold brass do you actually think there’s that much difference in the two metals?
Hope you’re doing well. Sending this message the day after Thanksgiving with a full belly, watching football. God bless you and family.
Paul
I’ve only had the Rose brass bell. On trumpet, I generally prefer a lightweight yellow brass; I think it blends itself to more tone manipulation with mouthpieces. With flugels, since I buy used - I take whatever comes along. :) Since I want a darker, anti-trumpet tone, I’m happy with the rose gold. But I DO like my old 182 Strad flugel; it’s light brass and probably does respond nice and quickly. Hood thought on yellow brass, too! :)