Bertman

I am really interested in getting a ZeuS olympus (you may have seen my post looking for in the classified section) but have seen the Austin Winds Stage470LT and heard they were really good.

Both the ZeuS and Austin are made by Kanstul and look almost identical to me except for some minor design deifferences. The Austin costs marginally more than the ZeuS.

What are your thoughts on this? Which is a better buy?

Austin Winds

ZeuS Olympus

HSOtrumpet1

Well, it seems like no brainer to me. . Maybe I missed something in the way I read it. You've had your eye on the ZeuS and it costs less? By the way, what a horn LOOKS like doesn't change the way it plays, so two horns could look totally different and play the same. And another thing... NEVER EVER buy a horn just because you heard people say they were good. If everyone liked the same kind of horn, the professional players would all play the same brand. Have you even tried out the ZeuS? Again, the way I interpret the post (that's in Rowuk's words there) you haven't tried out any of the horns, you just maybe heard they were really good or you saw pictures and liked how they looked, or whatever. Here's some other advice ... NEVER EVER buy a horn that you haven't tried out yet. You know, you can sometimes get lucky if you buy one off Ebay if the price has dropped AND you've tried out the same model before, but otherwise, there is no guarantee that you'll like the horn. Be on the safe side. I hope you find your dream horn!

-HSO

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I know that what I wrote isn't always going to be right, but my goal is to improve with every post.

Marcinkiewicz Vermeer 2001

Bertman

You are correct in thinking I've had my eye on the ZeuS for a while.

I totally believe in the advice of "Don't buy a horn till you've tried it" but that is going to be near impossible for me with practically any particular trumpet I may wish to buy.

I live in the UK for a start, over here nobody is particularly adventurous. All the fellow trumpet players I know either play

a) A county owned Student Yamaha

or b) A Bach Strad

I tried my friends Stradivarius and thought it was nicer than my horrible current horn but nothing special and not for me. I know most companies are very hesitant about sending you a horn to try it before you buy it, in fact most probably wouldn't at all so I think thats out of the Question, especially since ZeuS is situated in Canada. I think there is only a handful people in the UK who have a ZeuS anyway so I can't imagine being able to try somebody else's in england.

I'm hopefully going to go to the Taylor Trumpets factory at the weekend (which is right on my door-step and I never realized) to get some advice and hopefully try some of there horns

Schwab

You will not be able to return the Zeus if you don't like it, that way they can brag that they've never had a return! I'd never buy anything from Alex Zachary, take a look around the site for more info on Alex.

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Dylan Schwab
Stage 1 New York

Bertman

Surely it's the horn that counts and not the Maker or the person who sells it.

But I totally understand what you mean about him being rude to customers but I'm more interested in the horn than him in my opinion so I'm trying not to let that get in the way of my decision.

I have heard though that the guys at Austin Winds are really nice so who knows

Keith Fiala

I can say honestly that I play the Austin Winds and LOVE IT! I have tried a Zeus (a while back) and it did feel somewhat different.

I can tell you the things that I really dig about the Austin Winds...

Sound - intonation. I have the copper bell and it has a deeper timbre than my previously owned horns

Flexibility - I don't get a stuffy feeling from this horn as it's a .470 bore... but yet doesn't make me feel like I'm playing a tuba :)

Craftsmanship - I really like the Kanstul craftsmanship... I've owned the horn for 2 years and have had no issues at all with it. Valves are smooth as glass and the action feels new.

Just my thoughts guys -

Keith

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DGrimaldi

I think you need to check the prices again. The ZeuS is $2000 in brass and the Austin Winds Stage 470LT is $1675 in brass. Although the horns are both made by Kanstul and have a .470 bore, they are quite different. They have different bell flares, different bell diameters, different bell weights (the Stage 470LT has a lightweight bell for better response), different leadpipes, receivers, valve cluster placement is different (changing where the cluster braces attach to leadpipe and bell), different wrap, etc. They sound and play very differently.

Thanks for the kind words Keith, good luck with the new book!

David

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www.austinwinds.com
Austin Stage470LT Bb Copper
Courtois C 329 w/dual triggers
Besson Eb/D trumpet
Phaeton Pocket
Destino 3*
Past horns:
Leblanc Paris C w/dual triggers
Courtois C
ZeuS Guarnerius Copper
Bach Strad 37 Silver
ZeuS Flugel Copper
Kanstul Besson C Goldplated

bilboinsa

I have played both, and I like the 470 hands down. Specifically, I appreciate the lightweight valve packages complete with modified springs. I also like their latest mouthpiece/receiver combinations. This seems to lock in the notes tht you are searching for. To my knowledge, Zeus does not offer these elements for their horns.

The guys at Austin Winds are better than nice--they are passionate about their product. If the Zeus guy is who I remember, he borders on weird--advising buyers to not clean their horns out--unless they are acid-washed by a pro.

In making a major purchase, I would certainly factor in the persons you will be dealing with, because if there is a problem, you certainly will be dealing with that person.

Good luck!

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Doug Walsdorf
Schilke B2
Kanstul 1525
1927 Conn 22B New York Symphony
"In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort."
http://www.myspace.com/schilkeB2
Member: http://xeml.buglesacrossamerica.org/index.xeml

Keith Fiala

The guys at Austin Winds KNOW their stuff and I am fortunate to live in the same city and be pals with them. If I have questions about horns, equipment, etc. I call these guys. They have the connections to get the answers if they can't answer my immediate question.

My Austin Winds Copper bell gets compliments, questions and never lets me down. Give Doug and Dave a call and try the Austin Winds. You won't be sorry AT ALL!!!

Keith
Welcome to Brass Player Solution

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veery715

You should absolutely hold off on any decision until you've been to Taylor's and see what he may have taken in on trade that might fit your budget. Calling first to ask about what is available is a good idea.
veery