drac

Hey MM,

If you happen to get the chance to try a Chicago flugel please post your impressions. I have yet to see a review of it anywhere!! Good luck in your search......

Jon

music matters

Will do. Once I have auditioned them all I will let you know how I have got on. I have heard from others that the Chicago is brighter than the norm.
MM

Bruin

Jack, I never heard of Kanstul when I used to play horns -- that'll tell you just how long ago THAT was! But, after a 25-year hiatus from playing, I've been doing a great deal of research on trumpets, pocket trumpets, and flugelhorns, and I've gotta tell you, I am so thoroughly impressed by all that I have read about your dad as an artisan, engineer, and stubborn perfectionist.

And, your horn lines are getting a lot of great reviews, validating exactly what I've come to learn about your dad and your products.

I am also glad to learn that Kanstul is a local, American owned and operated business -- your factory's near Disneyland, my home is near the Rose Bowl.

With an American family business so committed to quality, I cannot help but to buy their products. I think I've found a new favorite horn company.

Thanks to your dad, you, and the rest of your family for doing it not just the right way, but the BEST way. We horn players sincerely appreciate your commitment to quality, and we will demonstrate this through our purchasing of your products.

Many thanks,

Herb
(can't wait to get myself a ZKF 1525 flugel!!!)

RGood

I own the 1525 (in scratch brush finish - the copper is almost pink - if you've ever scrubbed copper pots - aka Revereware - with the Comet like copper cleaner - you'll know the color).


Have had the horn for 5+ years and haven't scratched it in my gentle use of it. From handling and cleaning it and general use - including loaning it to friends to take home and try - hasn't been damaged or dented or scratched yet. Its not like you can run your fingernail over it and scratch it - seems like any other lacquer finish horn as far as durability of finish and propensity to dent or not dent.

As to how it plays - my amateur lips do it no justice - but this horn is really easy to play - to bend notes. Just a great sound, great valves, responsive. Slots really well (I've loaned it to some good players who told me so and had to fight to get it back from them...). I use a GR FL mpc with it. You definitely feel the weight of the horn and size of the bell when you hold it - but what a sound - that can also project.

Also own the Yamaha Bobby Shew 6310Z in lacquer paired with the Bobby Shew mpc. (Make sure you use light weight oil - like Hetman's with the Bobby Shew - or they'll gum up on you and feel sluggish.) Sweet horn - more airy traditional sound. Compared to the 1525 - a light lighter - and a smaller bell - but again a sweet sound.

If you get the chance - go to the Kanstul showroom & factory in Anaheim - call first to find out what they have in stock in the showroom if your intent is to try everything. I had the opportunity and enjoyed it greatly. Just great people to talk to at Kanstul and great product.

Bought the Kanstul through Chuck Levin's - great folks there too.

Best advice is to try as many of the horns as you can - you'll narrow down real fast. Dillon's in NJ is a great place for hands on - used and new.

Best of luck in your quest.

Bruin

RGood:

Ah, NOW ya really got me going on the Kanstul flugel! Sounds like a real winner.

Yeah, Anaheim is about a 30 min. drive from my home. That'd be a great learning experience to visit Kanstul's showroom and really check/try out their horns.

The Yamaha Bobby Shew flugel was my #1 choice before reading about the Kanstul. Thanks for your feedback on that horn as well.

I used to own Yamaha's top of the line flugel back circa 1982; it was probably a 631? Unfortunately, I really was a musician back then and had to sell it to pay tuition. Never stopped regretting that sale, but picked up a *barely* used/almost brand-new (not a scratch, ding, or any sign of wear) Jupiter JFH-846S flugel 2 months ago for $440 on eBay. It almost feels like I reclaimed my Yamaha because the Jupiter is the spitting image of that horn in looks, feel, valve action, and sound; at least, from what I can recall.

Once I really get my chops back, I really do want to buy one particularly great flugelhorn, and the Kanstul sounds like the one for me -- I really do prefer the dark, rich sound of a flugel.

Thanks again for your reply -- all very useful/helpful information, RGood.

Cheers,

Herb

RGood

Herb -

You might also look at the Flip Oakes Wild Thing Flugel - Kanstul makes to his specs. Check out his site for specifics - and he's in Southern California too.

Regards,

Bob