Looking for a unicorn trumpet

Subtropical and Subpar · Posted: Mon May 09, 2022 7:15 pm Post subject:

I've noticed that Kanstuls often feature firesale prices compared to Bach/Yamaha/Schilke. Their Besson models in particular are often in the low $1,000s, and my 991 (their Connstellation clone) was not much more than that. Even their flagship horns - their various Committee-style models, the 1500 with the copper bell, and the 1500-a heavy model with the bronze bell, can go for under $2,000. Personally, I'd consider my 991 a bargain at twice what I paid for it.
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1936 King Liberty No. 2
1958 Reynolds Contempora 44-M "Renascence" C
1958 Olds Ambassador
1962 Reynolds Argenta LB
1965 Conn Connstellation 38A cornet
1995 Bach LR18072
2003 Kanstul 991
2011 Schilke P5-4 B/G
2021 Manchester Brass flugel

cbtj51 · Posted: Tue May 10, 2022 6:34 am Post subject:

huntman10 · Posted: Tue May 10, 2022 5:01 pm Post subject:

I have been trying out my large collection of trumpets all fall and spring to find the "best section trumpet" for playing in our concert band. I sit at the first of the 2nd parts in a trumpet section of about 12 guys. I finally got to the horn that had the best tone, could cut through woodwinds and the low brass when needed.....

Drumroll please ..... The BEST SECTION TRUMPET in my horn closet is a 60 year old STRAD 181 37 ML CORNET! I made my bones on a similar horn years,ago. I got this one about 15 years back. It was pretty sad looking, old cheap lacquer, and had been buffed where about half the bell stamp was visible. I sprung for a new silver plate job, and gold trim kit and trigger. pushed. I have only about $800 in it at that. I suppose the lightened bell may have helped with the "sparkle" in the sound.

You can get the 37 cornets usually for less than $750 if you watch. I plugged in a Schilke 16B4, and it lit up like a Roman candle when I puhed. With a deeper cup, like a 1 or even a 5B, it is more tame. But nobody would mistake that one for a BBB horn. But on the old warhorse solos, WOW!

Open your options and you might be surprised.
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huntman10
Collector/Player of Fine (and not so fine) Brass Instruments including
Various Strads, Yammies, Al Hirt Courtois, Schilkes,
Selmer 25, Getzen Eternas, Kanstuls (920 Pic, CG)
Martin Custom Large Bore, Lots Olds!, Conns, etc.

HaveTrumpetWillTravel · Posted: Tue May 10, 2022 6:31 pm Post subject:

I've been wanting a 37 cornet for a while. I'll say that I haven't seen one under about 1200 in decent shape.

I wonder about them as a section instrument. My experience is that I can hear smaller instruments better (closer to my ears) but I have no idea how they project out or blend with others.

Aj · Regular Member Joined: 14 May 2006 Posts: 83

chef8489 · Posted: Wed May 11, 2022 12:17 pm Post subject:

Since you have a King 600 look at a vintage King 1055t silver flair.

Of course you could get a bach 37, 43, or my fav bach a 72. I do l9ve my vintage King more than I like the bachs I have had.
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Current horns
2023 Bach 19072G/43 pipe with 1st trigger
1966 H.N. White King Silver Flair
1965 H.N. White King Super 20 Sllversonic Symphony 1st trigger