Description
The Adams F2 is a handmade professional flugelhorn designed to produce a rich, expressive sound with exceptional projection and tonal depth. It combines traditional craftsmanship with modern customisation options, making it a popular choice for soloists, brass band musicians, and recording artists.
At its heart is a one-piece hand-hammered bell, available in a variety of materials and thicknesses, delivering the warm, dark character players idealize while maintaining clarity and responsiveness across the register. The heavy 535 g valve section and reinforced bracing provide a broad, centred sound with excellent projection and stability, allowing the F2 to perform equally well as a lyrical solo instrument or within a larger ensemble.
Praised for its broad tonal palette and refined build quality, the F2 has earned a reputation as one of the most versatile modern custom flugelhorns available. Players highlight its luxurious sound, strong projection, and premium craftsmanship, with many considering Adams instruments among the most visually striking and musically responsive flugelhorns on the market.
- Bore size: medium-large, 10.5 mm (0.413 in.)
- Stainless steel valve pistons
- Trigger on 3rd slide
- Two Amado* waterkeys
- Case included; mouthpiece not included
Custom options:
- Bell material (gauge):
- yellow brass (0.45, 0.50, 0.55, 0.60 mm)
- gold brass (0.45, 0.50, 0.55 mm)
- red brass (0.45, 0.50, 0.55 mm)
- gold brass with nickel-silver flare (0.45, 0.50, 0.55 mm)
- red brass with nickel-silver flare (0.45, 0.50, 0.55 mm)
- Finish:
- silver-plated
- clear lacquer
- brushed lacquer
- antique
- gold-plated
- raw brass
- Bell diameter: 150, 160 or 170 mm
* The Amado water key was patented in the US by its inventor Raymond Amado at the beginning of the 1970s. A small transverse-mounted cylinder encloses a spring-loaded push-button piston which when depressed lets moisture drain from the instrument. Its design causes less distortion to the air column than the drain port of a traditional water key.
| Model | Bore | Bell size (mm/in.) | Bell gauge (mm/in.) | Consider for | Why? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | ML | 160 / 6¼ (also 150 or 170 options) |
0.45–0.60 / 0.018–0.024 | All-round, orchestral, solo | Lightweight, easy to play; available bell sizes and bell-material options for tonal shaping. |
| F2 | ML | 160 / 6¼ (also 150 or 170 options) |
0.45–0.60 / 0.018–0.024 | Solo, band, expressive warm lead | Heavy valve section and one-piece hand-hammered gold-brass bell produce warm, rich sound with a strong core. |
| F2-LT | ML | 170 / 6¾ | 0.50 / 0.020 | Brass band solo, banding, touring | Developed for band soloists — optimized braces, trigger on branch, heavy valve block for focused, lyrical tone. |
| F3 | ML | 170 / 6¾ | 0.55 / 0.022 | Section player, ensemble blend | Designed for blend and consistency: hand-hammered one-piece bell, heavier valve block (nickel-silver balusters with brass casing), and reliable response. |
Manufacturer’s website: adams-music.com
