I recently purchased a 1960s 1/2 BBb Couesnon, and I’m feeling a lot of resistance when playing the Bb1 and lower. I have paperwork that the instrument was serviced just before I purchased it, and everything else higher plays fine. I’ve read other people talk about the hose comparison, so I’m thinking that maybe because it’s a 1/2 size it just feels different?

I’m returning after 20 years away, so maybe my memory is bad, but I played a 4/4 in high school and recall that low Bb being so easy compared to this.