Smrgol

So I've made a decision to get a new trumpet... I'm looking for something that's free-blowing with a medium to large size bore, preferably with a darker sound.

I started out playing on Cornet and I want something that has that type of sound. I'm just looking for an all around good trumpet with a rich dark sound and large bore.

I was looking online and reading about Kanstul trumpets, and was wondering if anyone here has had experience with these horns. They seem to have what I'm looking for, but I can only tell so much from a website. I'd feel much more comfortable trying out a horn myself.

Also, if anyone has any other recommendations, I would be glad to hear them.

thanks!

miles71

Call Felix at the NYTC. Check out the Cal. Standard with a Copper bell.

Richard Oliver

The only thing I know that sounds like a cornet is a cornet.

About the dark sound, this is from Karl Seivers, and it caught my eye:

on my soapbox. but when anyone tells you that you sound "bright" up close, that is probably a compliment. you want all the brilliance you can get within the context of a "complete" sound. Lows AND highs, the whole thing. It's a trumpet for pete's sake, not an alto clarinet!

I played for Phil Smith about 3 years ago, and he wanted me to sound as brilliant as I could, not the other way. Experience tells us he's right (of course... no wonder he's got "the" gig).

And here's the thread from which it's found:

The Soundboard :: View topic - Mouthpiece Availability

ctm2aud

There are a variety of horns that fit your description from Kanstul. I like the ZKT 1503 from their Signature Series. Obviously a big part of your choice depends on how much money you can spend. My preference and my main horn is the Flip Oakes Celebration, designed by Flip Oakes and manufactured by Kanstul.

It is an interesting design. It's very free blowing but not as free blowing as his other design, the Wild Thing. I think the best way to describe it's sound is not dark or bright but resonant - it has a very rich overtone series. I once compared a Wild Thing to a Yamaha Xeno 8335 RGS. The Yamaha sounded distinctly thin in comparison. If you are on the Trumpet Players International listserve you've seen that Arturo Sandoval recently tried and liked both the Celebration and the Wild Thing. He bought the WT.

Regards,

Dave Taylor

Flip Oakes Celebration/ Curry
Bach MLV 65G/GR Tech

TisEkard

I have a kanstul, i love it and they have a nice variety of horns that you could try out. If you are in the, I would go to the showroom and try em. It is right next to Disneyland in ANaheim. Its a lot of fun to try them all out. Good luck

Mark Bradley

Probably the "darkest" Kanstul would be the 1500 with the heavy weight copper bell. All the Kanstuls are nice in their own way. Give sales rep Charles a call at Kanstul and he could steer you in the right direction.

midwestchops

these so far have the most of what im looking for, which seems to be close to your description. i dont know if ill have the chance to play one or not, but its something to look into. man. by kanstul and very reasonably priced i would say.

Welcome to Austin Winds - your best source for high end brass equipment.

B15M

It's an interesting thing when someone posts that they want to know what trumpet to buy.
Everyone says to get the same one they play.
I have read this same post over and over again started by different people.

Here is my advise: (I have posed this before and people have told me I'm wrong)

Go to a music store with a lot of trumpets and play.
Look for tuning, response and a tone that you like.
What more is there?

For me tuning is the most important. If you have to lip notes that changes the tone and response.
You want the trumpet to be easy to play so you can think about the music.

Good Luck

I almost forgot.
The thing about Mr. Smith saying to make the sound as bright as possible:
That comment is hear say and could be correct for him or taken out of context and twisted along the way.

Richard Oliver

Joe,

"Hearsay" denotes something akin to "rumor" or at the very least something that cannot be substantiated.

For example, "Joe Spitzer wrote/said that . . ." would not be hearsay if in fact you did write whatever and you posted it on TM for the whole world to see.

That's why I included the link showing what Carl Seivers said 1st hand.

And as far others being able to twist it, of course you're correct.

B15M

I went and read the post on the other site and here is my take.

Why did Mr. Smith say to sound bright?

Was it a lead passage?
Maybe the guys sound was very dark and Mr. Smith thought he should brighten it up.
Did Mr. Smith actually say it or was it misunderstood?

It's hard to know without being there.

I have studied with some famous players and listened to what they said and went home and practiced and went back and played what they told me to. They would sometimes say, "Why did you play it that way?" and I would say, "Because you told me to" After talking it out what I heard wasn't what they meant.