ZeuS ZFH 900 ABL flugelhorn
Just wanted to let you know that I received the horn yesterday afternoon (4/15), and, frankly, I'm _extremely_ impressed. The workmanship is first-rate, and the antique finish is gorgeous. It plays wonderfully as well, with a dark, mellow, very traditional flugel sound. It also doesn't seem to have the intonation problems I've noticed on a lot of other flugels. In short, I'm very pleased.
Thanks for making this whole experience a positive one.     Brent (NC)  

I got to play Bear's flugel in a gig tonight, and all I have to say is....WOW. I fell in love with it right then and there. It is perfect for that small bar, combo setting. I just loved the nice mellow tone. It responded to everything I did. Then we had an amazing flugel player play it, and he had the same thing to say. Watch out, I'm gonna buy one one of these days....as soon as I can put together the funds. JGW

I am a Zeus dealer, but I have not had the opportunity to play the Zeus G flugel yet. I have 2 G Bb's, ! Guarnerius C, and 2 Olympus's (one being the prototype). I have been very impressed with every horn that I have received from Zeus. I also took the horns to several local pros that I play with and they all had wonderful things to say about Zeus. So, I would be very suprised if the Z flugel was anything less then great.     Zack Greenhaw (Alabama Zeus Dealer)

My ZeuS flugel is a polished copper bell model and it plays very nicely. Compared to the Kanstul Signature, the sound is not quite as "dark", but the ZeuS is easier to play. One important thing for me is that it is not a big culture shock to jump from my cornet right to the flugel. Some flugels take some getting used to after playing other instruments, but when I pick up the ZeuS flugel I don't have any problems adjusting right away. The finish and workmanship are outstanding (as with all the ZeuS instruments!). The Guarnerius Flugel (top of the line) comes in a Protec double trumpet/flugel case as well.     Stephen (Australia)

Josh, I can't even get money for sellin' girlscout cookies so shut yer yaps! Anyways, I've been playing on the flugel for a few days and all I can say is wow, Zeus was the King of Gods in Greek Myth... I think trumpet Myth should have Zeus as king also!... Bear

Ok, The wait is over and I have received my ZeuS Guarnerius flugel.
I am playing a gig this weekend (wedding) which involves some flugel work so I'm looking forward to it. But we did have rehearsal today.. The other brass players (sextet) and especially the other trumpet player thought it was amazing. For me: I purchased the copperbell 900 model. The sound is mellow and warm. Just really rich and vibrant. "like cuttin butter with a hot knife" I beleive intonation has more to do with one's ears but I didn't have nearly as many faulty notes as on other models (Bach, Getzen). The action of slides and valves were superior. It is a small flugel so you can consider this the underdawg to the other "montser" big bore flugels. Even though in my book the Zeus just whipped the tar out of everyone else. I really don't know what to say about it. Just try one out. You'll be impressed, it'll leave you speechless. I would suggest gettin' a different mpc though. The Zeus rims and bites are really narrow/sharp. Personally, I like the fatter rims.

BTW, the other players loved the sound and the trumpet player is thinkin' about gettin' one. lol    Tim (TX)
Zeus Olympus w/Monette B4L & VS
Zues 900 Flugel w/Bach 3

I had the opportunity to play the ZeuS G flugel last night. Bear (my friend Tim) recieved his after a pretty good wait. Wow. Nice horn. I like, I like a lot. Here's my question. Anyway, if you get a chance to play one....do it....you'll be impressed. Maybe when I have more time I'll actually write up a real review. Take it easy!    ScreaminTrumpet (TX)

I've been playin' a ZeuS Guarnerius ARL flugelhonr for about a week now... I was previously playing (about 10 years) a Yamaha 2310s (student model)... quite a difference... I had no idea how hard I was working on the Y. When I bought the Y, I wanted a flugel exclusively for solo work, up until now it's been, well, adequate...

I personnally prefer the sound of trumpet with tenor sax (like salt and pepper to me), so that's what I do most... But the G, while playing sounds to my minds ear exactly what a flugel horn should sound like - phat, warm, lyrical - like butter, instead of margerine. it slots soooo much better than the Y... For example, I use Kenny Durham's trumpet solo on Recorda-Me (Joe Henderson "Page One") as a practice exercise. I play it over JA's play-along or BIAB,,, anyway.. Playing the passage on the 4th chorus where he goes up to the F and back down is very hard to play cleanly on the Y... in fact I don't, I play it on trumpet... but I was running through it last night on the Zues G flugel consistently (I think I played it twice through) and it sounded so warm and airy - sweeet ... Another example... the band I'm playin with plays Soulive's tune ALKIME, and I'm playin the lead on that and of course Soulive has an alto sax playin it, so the second phrase where it starts on the low G was problematic on the Yamaha.

It's like night and day playing it on the Zeus really, I'm not hyping this up... the horn plays like that all the way through my range.... I've adjusted to the vertical grip and the horn feel's lighter (to me) than it looks, but that may be my perception due to the brushed finish.. the bore change is no stress at all ... the mechanics are all done nicely, everything fits well, valves, springs, slides, tuning slide... you can tell it's hand-made, like holding art... the double-case is a nice touch... I already had one, but I really appreciate getting another one. I got gigs coming up the next two weekends so I'm looking forward to mic'ing it up with the band. I play jazz and R&B, horn section work and yes, I'll even play Go-Go if the band is tight (there's no flugel work in Go-Go), so my perspective may not be the same as some, but if you are not satisfied with your current flugel set-up, I highly recommend playing the Zues G Flugel, before layin down all that cash on a Ferrari, I mean Callichio... The G sounds, feels and looks very good!!! Best Regards to all you players Drez (DC)

Alex, I got my ZFH 900ARL flugelhorn today. First of all let me commend you on the excellent workmanship. It is a beautiful horn to look at, but it is an even better horn to play. This is the nicest playing flugelhorn that I have ever played and I have owned some good ones. Congratulations on a wonderful product and thank you for the great customer service.    Lionel Busch (Calgary AB, Canada)

Dear Alex, I love the flugel man. It has already been featured at Madison Square Garden, and in another half dozen concerts. I will record it with DJ Logic tonite, and with the drummer from Ween later in the week. The horn plays so in tune I want to shit. Thanks, and I look forward to ordering the Olympus super horn by August. - Jordan (NYC)

Hey man, So I shared all my horns with the boys tonite, they love 'em. Asking if their poor college kid souls can get discounts and stuff. I told 'em sorry boys, but it's worth the money. lol. Basics: The "C" Guarnerius slots like no other, has a great sound (a lil bright for some but you can't please em all). The "Bb" Guarnerius was just outstanding in all respects. Flugel, hands down the best they've played. Man... I just cna't wait until that Piccolo.. grrr. I'm impatient. lol. Take care. Thanks for your hard work.   Tim (TX)

Hey Alex, I just love the ZEH 900 Fluegelhorn I got from you a while ago, it has a great sound and plays even better than it sounds. Everyone who plays it loves it! I was wondering if you made a valve guard for it or perhaps you could make a custom one for me. Keep making great horns!   Scott M. (Cleveland,OH)

Just want to let you know that I received my ZFH 900ARL ZeuS Guarnerius Flugelhorn last week (Nov. 3, 2005). I wanted test drive it first to see how it handled and consequently, I had a gig Friday night so I had a chance to play it with the band. I play R&B/Neo Soul in D.C./Maryland.
MAN!!! Big, phat, dark, creamy sound. This horn refuses to be anything but a flugelhorn. Maintains tonal integrity throughout the ranges; notes slot very, very nicely which makes it very easy to play (I don't have to lip up notes); the sound it produces covers the room like a warm blanket. This horn demands attention from its looks to its sound
For all the other "playas" /doublers in the D.C./Maryland area...pawn the rest and buy the best...ZeuS. "Uzzo"- SW, Washington, D.C.

Alex, I got my new Guarnerius flugelhorn and 900 trumpet last Thursday (a day ahead of schedule). I was concerned to spend money on 2 horns I had not had a chance to test drive. Not to worry. WOW! This started with me wanting a flugelhorn to supplement my 30 year old Bach Strad. Results? I love the flugelhorn, but am totally amazed with the new trumpet. It is no exaggeration to say that if I had had this horn when I was looking for a way to make a living I probably would have skipped law school. I can't put it down. I also tried the Aegis mouthpiece on my Bach and got majorly improved results. It is a much more efficient mouthpiece than the Bach 1 ½ that I am used to. The intonation, range and slotting are excellent, but what impresses me most is the ease with which this horn produces all ranges of sound. I have already played it at big band rehearsal and soloed in church. The guy beside me in big band tried it and his evaluation is that the horn plays itself (he owns nearly a dozen horns). A professional who is also a Bach player tried it and agrees that it is exceptionally well balanced in your hand and plays extremely easily. He asked for your web cite. I can do a lot more with dynamics (particularly very softly) without worrying about attacks or tone issues. I currently have configured the horn with the heavy valve caps and radial slide. I want to change it up some as I get more used to it. This is all after only 4 days with this amazing instrument. I am not an expert here and I am sure there may be better horns available, however, before anyone spends a bundle on another name they should try to get their hands on one of these. If the quality and results are consistent with my experience they will be hard pressed to find a better horn for a lot more money. My 30 plus year love affair with Bach is now officially over. Hal (NC)

Alex, I just wanted to let you know how great that fluglehorn is. I played a concert last night and had a feature with the jazz band on the tune Willow Weep for Me. Everybody at the concert last night said that the horn sounded huge and dark (one girl said she almost cried, lol), even the head of the music school said that he loved the way I sounded on it. Thanks again for the great horn again. Scott (OH)

Hey Alex:) Got the 900 Flugel a couple of hours ago....All I can say is WOW......the sound is unbelievable......you can actually feel the horn vibrate in your hands...this is definitely the best sounding horn I've hear in a very long time.All I can say is thank you very much.This is great and I'm sure my friends will love it too. Your Truly     Owen (NC, Canada)

Hey Alex :) The new ZeuS Flugel mouthpiece is a real joy to play on, it's very comfortable on the lips and I find I can get a really good tone in the lower middle registers and with practice I am possitive the upper register will come real soon. Alex you out did yourself again the combination of the horn and the new mpc are a perfect match. I see what you mean about the ProTec horn case....it will do for now until you design a new better one that will protect the horns the way they should be. Thanks Alex      Owen (NC, Canada)

Hey Alex:) just an update on the new Flugel...have been showing it around at all my band practices and the general consensus is that everyone just loves the intonation ....how much it vibrates when played..the tones are as smooth as butter..and most of all just how well it was put together...everyone that had their own Flugel ..compared both side by each...a couple had yammies one had a Getzen......and there was even a Couesnon.......The ZueS 900 copper bell blew everyone of these instruments out of the water. Everyone really liked the new mpc as well. The new mpc really brings out the great flugelhorn sound and is perfectly matched gap wise with the ZueS Flugel. Personally I really like the new mpc..feels great on the lips and doesn't take too long to get used too. You have done it again Alex, you have raised the quality of the flugel mpc that other manufactures will take years to perfect........Thanks Alex you are a credit to the music community in away that you are always looking to make everything better both in instruments and mouthpieces. Thanks Again    Owen (NC, Canada)