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Mark Bradley · 01-20-2007, 11:26 AM

I'm a big Kanstul fan. We're fortunate to have this company making the horns they do. USA workmanship is alive and well. To illustrate just how good Kanstul is look at all the excellent horns sold under differnent names they make the parts for: Callet, Destino, Smith-Watkins (mentioned earlier), Max, Wild Thing, Zeus, Besson (the excellent old Stamm line and USA models, not Kanstul now and something to aviod), and my favorite... a truly great horn-- Scodwell. There are probably a few others I've forgotton. These are unique and individual horns in their own right but Kanstul makes the parts... that's saying something.

The Kanstul "K" series of horns are probably the best intermediate level horns on the market. The workmanship on these models is pro level quality as is the Custom class model cornets and trumpets.

The Kanstul trumpets, cornets and flugel models are all outstanding. They make all different sizes and shapes to suit just about whatever you're looking for. I've owned a slew of Kanstul trumpets, cornets and flugels and they were all wonderful horns. I"m currently playing the Chicago 1000, a copy of the old Benges-- I just love it. Here's an unofficial list of what the Kanstuls are like and compare to:

Signature Series
1500-- IMO it's close to the Olds Recording or Mendez models except it comes standard with a heavy copper bell.
1500B-- Perhaps the best clone of the old Mt.Vernon Bach Strads on the market. Lighweight (37) bell like the old Mt.Vernons.
1501/1502-- Kanstul version of the classic Callichios.
1503-- Like a Bach Strad 72
1504-- Strad 72 with 46 leadpipe
1600-- Strad lightweight 72 bell with 46 leadpipe
1601-- not sure! Haven't had a chance to play one of these yet.

Chicago Series
1000/1001-- Early ML and MLP Benges

Maraichi Series:
copies of the old Conn small bore 38B Connstellations. Small bore and a huge bell-- fantastic trumpets and a hoot to play!

Custom class:
Pro level workmanship at "student" prices for all these models, the 900 is basically Zig's answer to the Bach Strad 37.

"K" Series"
700-- a somewhat cheaper version of the Custom 900 but still pro level quality. The 610 is no longer made but regarded by many as the best student horn ever made (also sold for as the Besson 609). You'll see these still floating around on ebay and they are an excellent horn for the money. If I had a kid starting band this is the model I'd get.
An honorable mention is the KCR 730 long model cornet. This is a GREAT cornet for the money!

And I've barely touched on the Kanstul cornets and flugels... all excellent in their own way. My "sleeper" among these besides the KCR 730 cornet is the Chicago flugel.

01-20-2007, 11:26 AM	#9 (permalink)
Mark Bradley Pianissimo User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Kansas City Posts: 118	Re: Kanstul I'm a big Kanstul fan. We're fortunate to have this company making the horns they do. USA workmanship is alive and well. To illustrate just how good Kanstul is look at all the excellent horns sold under differnent names they make the parts for: Callet, Destino, Smith-Watkins (mentioned earlier), Max, Wild Thing, Zeus, Besson (the excellent old Stamm line and USA models, not Kanstul now and something to aviod), and my favorite... a truly great horn-- Scodwell. There are probably a few others I've forgotton. These are unique and individual horns in their own right but Kanstul makes the parts... that's saying something. The Kanstul "K" series of horns are probably the best intermediate level horns on the market. The workmanship on these models is pro level quality as is the Custom class model cornets and trumpets. The Kanstul trumpets, cornets and flugel models are all outstanding. They make all different sizes and shapes to suit just about whatever you're looking for. I've owned a slew of Kanstul trumpets, cornets and flugels and they were all wonderful horns. I"m currently playing the Chicago 1000, a copy of the old Benges-- I just love it. Here's an unofficial list of what the Kanstuls are like and compare to: Signature Series 1500-- IMO it's close to the Olds Recording or Mendez models except it comes standard with a heavy copper bell. 1500B-- Perhaps the best clone of the old Mt.Vernon Bach Strads on the market. Lighweight (37) bell like the old Mt.Vernons. 1501/1502-- Kanstul version of the classic Callichios. 1503-- Like a Bach Strad 72 1504-- Strad 72 with 46 leadpipe 1600-- Strad lightweight 72 bell with 46 leadpipe 1601-- not sure! Haven't had a chance to play one of these yet. Chicago Series 1000/1001-- Early ML and MLP Benges Maraichi Series: copies of the old Conn small bore 38B Connstellations. Small bore and a huge bell-- fantastic trumpets and a hoot to play! Custom class: Pro level workmanship at "student" prices for all these models, the 900 is basically Zig's answer to the Bach Strad 37. "K" Series" 700-- a somewhat cheaper version of the Custom 900 but still pro level quality. The 610 is no longer made but regarded by many as the best student horn ever made (also sold for as the Besson 609). You'll see these still floating around on ebay and they are an excellent horn for the money. If I had a kid starting band this is the model I'd get. An honorable mention is the KCR 730 long model cornet. This is a GREAT cornet for the money! And I've barely touched on the Kanstul cornets and flugels... all excellent in their own way. My "sleeper" among these besides the KCR 730 cornet is the Chicago flugel.