bigaggietrumpet

And by exhaustive, I mean exhaustive...as in 4 years of looking, testing, playing, soul-searching, etc. But I have finally done it, I have finally gotten a new trumpet. I was looking for a horn that was very versatile, but could still project very well and play over a big band without too much work. In the end it came down to just playing several horns until my lips nearly fell off, and then some. But at the end of the day, I definitely picked a winner. And so to end the curiosity, the winner was...

A Kanstul 1537.

When I walked into the store to try the horns, it wasn't on my list. In fact, I really didn't know that much about it until the salesman handed me the horn and told me that it was what a Bach was supposed to be. Intrigued, I decided to give it a whirl, and even compared it to a Bach Strad. The Bach was good, as was the Schilke X3 I compared against the other two (a ZKT 1600 was also in the mix for a while). I think you could call the Strad a "good" Strad, it certainly wasn't the greatest horn I'd ever played, but I think it's fair to say that for 90% of the high school population it would have done just fine. But it couldn't hold a freaking candle to the Kanstul. The blow seemed more open, the tone more resonant, and it seemed the Kanstul played in the upper register a little bit easier. The X3 was really good, but I just didn't like the sound as much as that Kanstul. It really had a sweet sound that could really carry and put a little zing into things if you punched the throttle.

So, that's just about it. Most of you probably don't care, but hey, I wouldn't be a trumpet player if I didn't brag about my baby just a little bit, would I?

Richard Oliver

Michael, congrats on the new horn!


:)

TrentAustin

I know how exhausted I am after trying everything in the world. I figured it out eventually it wasn't the horn, but the mouthpiece. I've now found my dream mouthpiece and honestly any horn I play works really well now.

Cheers on the new ax!

rowuk

Mike,
congrats on the Kanstul! 4 years of waiting and comparing means that you probably did find the right horn. You earned it, enjoy it and post your feelings in about a months time. I would be interested in your impressions over time!

Lezwoymn

Good for you, enjoy.

stchasking

If the Aggies could find a bowl game to play in you would have it made.

tatakata

how much is a Kanstul these days if you don't mind me asking

bigaggietrumpet

If our football team could...no, this sentence is probably better left unsaid. Thank God for basketball.


As far as cost, it was almost exactly 2k, and that's with a Torpedobag (the Kanstul doesn't come with a case). The horn by itself was around 17-1800, don't have the receipt in front of me. The Bach was pretty much the same price, and included a case. Don't remember the X3's price. I'll hopefully post some pics tomorrow.

ewetho

I just got to try an LR180S-37 ML bore Bach (Lightweight body and standard weight bell) and felt the same way. Loved it. First pro trumpet I have tried that made me go WOW!!! Was always impressed by pro horns but none have stuck out and said I WANT THAT!!! Well, found it.

Sounds like you found yours too. Cool. Still have to save up for mine.

pbk917

Congratulations on your new purchase. Kanstul really does make great horns. I bought a 1504 about a month ago and have been more than happy with my decision.