I am fatigued.

Hi everyone!

I'm preparing to sell a few brass instruments from my high school playing days and would appreciate some advice on this Couesnon flugelhorn.

The bell is stamped "Couesnon Paris, Made in France," with what appears to be serial number 82784. From my research, I'm guessing it's from the 1970s, but I'd love confirmation.

I've attached photos showing the instrument, engraving, and condition. There's considerable spotting and finish wear, particularly around the bell. I haven't had its current playing condition professionally assessed.

A few questions

Can anyone help confirm the approximate manufacturing year and specific model?

What would be a reasonable private-sale value in its present cosmetic condition, assuming the valves and slides are functional?

How much less should I expect from a dealer purchasing it outright?

I'm planning to visit a brass instrument dealer next week and would love to have a realistic sense of its value beforehand.

Thanks for any insight!

I'm middle-aged and never played a brass instrument. My sister had a trumpet in high school. I bought my first trumpet today, and it seems in good condition. It's a Yamaha Advantage.

I've played guitar since I was a teenager and played imguitar and bass in punk bands locally for years. I understand a lot of scale, chord, mode theory. In the past year, I took up saxophone and am doing great at it now and taught myself. I'm showing up at blues jams and playing saxophone all of the time now.

So, that brings me to today. Picking up musical instruments is my main hobby and something that feels important to me.

Brass seems difficult, and I'm initially having trouble with physical stuff like embouchure and controlling a good clean tone. My intonation is off, too, by a lot. It honestly sounds bad to start, but I'm determined.

I have a dedicated practice area and bought a maintenance kit and a cheap practice mute.

What else are general advice for me at this point?

i have an ultrasonic cleaner that i really only use to clean my retainer. it's not very big and it's advertised specifically for dental devices. my main mouthpiece (by main i mean the only one i ever play on) gets pretty nasty and I can't really clean it with just a brush. so can i instead just throw it in the cleaner?

i washed and cleaned my trumpet (especially the valves and cylinders). still my 1st and third valves are sticking. not all of the time. could the felt cause a sticking???? put oil on valves. trumpet is a Bach about 30 years old.