KANSTUL - BESSON MEHA FLUGEL HORN

par10 · Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2012 1:40 am Post subject: KANSTUL - BESSON MEHA FLUGEL HORN

I had the opportunity yesterday to have a blow on a Kanstul - Besson Meha Flugel that is about twenty-ish years old.

There were a number of things that have stayed with me, the weight of the instrument said that this was a class instrument, the action of the valves and the third slide trigger mechanism was excellent, when I played the instrument it was just such an easy blow, the sound was dark and clear, not stuffy or fluffy at all, I just did not want to put the instrument down, it took no effort to make it speak and the tuning was excellent.

Was this a better horn than my Eclipse?

I would not say so, but it is a very close second, the guy who brought the Meha to me said he could not say that there was much difference in sound but perhaps the Eclipse had a slight edge over the Meha.

This is the first Kanstul instrument that I have tried and if the current day Flugels are as good then they have an excellent product at a good price.

Has anyone else any views on the Meha versus modern day Flugels?
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RandyTX · Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2012 8:09 am Post subject:

I have not played the Meha/Kanstul flugel, but I have to say that I very much enjoy my 1525 Kanstul flugel that I got new 2 years ago. And from what I gather, I'm definitely not alone in that regard. It's really a fantastic horn. Someday I hope to be able to play well enough to take full advantage of it.

Unfortunately, I've never had a chance to play an Eclipse, so I can't offer you any comparison opinions.

Flugelnut · Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2012 10:12 am Post subject:

I played a Meha flugel for about 5 years in the early 1990's, serial number was 1600 something.
I parted with it only because I had too many flugels at the time, and I preferred to keep (still do) my 1982 Benge 5.
The Meha had a lot in common with the Benge, not surprisingly because Kanstul worked at Benge's in the 1980's and designed the Benge 1, 3, and 5 model flugels for them.
The Meha's bore (.460") is identical to the Benge's and its sound is slightly less broad, mostly I think because the Benge 5 bell throat is enormous.
It may be because I like large bore flugels, but I thought the Meha superior to other flugels I owned or tested, like the various Yamaha's, Courtoises (correct plural?), Calicchio, Bach Strad, and probably others.
It's a very playable, flexible, technically sound, and in tune horn, and if you can lay hands on one: grab it!

KanstulBrass · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 12:05 pm Post subject:

crzytptman · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 12:45 pm Post subject:

Flugelnut · Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 9:56 am Post subject:

If you want to hear a Benge flugel played a lot better than I can, look up Frank Fezishins site www.trombaclassics.com
Search for "Frank Fezishin Charpentier" on YouTube and hear him play the piccolo trumpet in the Te Deum.
Apparently for this guy to play both instruments equally well is no issue!

SirBuzzALot · Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 11:49 am Post subject:

I have just bought myself a F Besson Meha flugel (Kanstul) and it plays really nice. I dont know much else about it and am not sure of the date it was made. The serial number is 93xx Picked this instrument up for $220 and I think I got a good deal

Anyone have any ideas on the mfg date?
_________________
Yamaha Meastro Bb Cornet
B&H Round Stamp LB Sovereign Bb Cornet
F Besson Meha Flugelhorn (Kanstul)

KanstulBrass · Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 11:57 am Post subject:

What is the serial number? We might be able to tell you the date of manufacture.
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Charles G Hargett
Brass Industry Consultant

(Kanstul, Shires, BAC, Benge)

SirBuzzALot · Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 3:24 pm Post subject:

The serial number is 9329

Would be good to know when it was made

I dont know much about the spec of it either. I believe it is a large bore.

thanks

Al
_________________
Yamaha Meastro Bb Cornet
B&H Round Stamp LB Sovereign Bb Cornet
F Besson Meha Flugelhorn (Kanstul)

KanstulBrass · Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2012 7:06 am Post subject:

Our records have only limited information, but the serial number you gave references a flugel we made in April of 1989.
_________________
Charles G Hargett
Brass Industry Consultant

(Kanstul, Shires, BAC, Benge)

Bill Blackwell · Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2012 9:07 am Post subject:

AFAIK, there were two Kanstul-made Besson's that looked pretty much exactly like a Kanstul 925 - the F. Besson Brevette 15BF and the F. Besson 60MF Meha (yours).

According to the specs, the Brevette seems to be pretty much a carbon copy of the 925 - right down to the .415 bore and French taper lead pipe, but the Meha - although it looks like a 925 - has a .460 bore (not sure about the lead pipe) and most I've seen do not have a trigger.

The Kanstul-made F. Besson 30-FB appears to be a carbon copy of the Kanstul 1025 - including the same trigger.
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Bill Blackwell
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- Yogi Berra

par10 · Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 6:57 am Post subject:

FrankM · Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 7:59 am Post subject:

This question about whether 'brevette' is a model name has been covered extensively in past posts & the general consensus was that on early instruments it isn't a name but by the time Kanstul started making them it had indeed become a name & is listed as such in the Besson catalogue from the mid 1980's pictured above.

If you enlarge the pic. you will see that the instrument on the right is clearly called the 15BFT Brevette.

All the best. Frank

par10 · Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 8:45 am Post subject:

FrankM · Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 10:52 am Post subject:

Sorry par10, don't know nuffin about Kanstul Flugels. The Kanstul/Besson Meha was a .460" bore. All the current offerings from Kanstul are smaller than that.

I do have a Kanstul made Meha trumpet & it is a fine instrument. Based on that I wouldn't hesitate to buy the Meha Flugal if I came across one at the right price. Not that I need any more Flugals right now. N + 1 would kick in, don't you know.

Cheers. Frank

SirBuzzALot · Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 2:10 am Post subject:

Thanks for the MFG date info Kanstul Brass

My Flugel does have the Trigger on it too.

The only problem is the case needs repairing - looks like there are 3 hinges on the case - 2 of them with missing pins. Not sure if these are repairable or new units need to be fitted (if they are available).

Bill - you say the Meha is a copy of the 925 - from what I have just read it is more likely that the 925 is a copy of the Meha. Apprently the Meha Flugel was designed / released in 1982 about the time that Kantsul was established.

thanks for the information,

Al
_________________
Yamaha Meastro Bb Cornet
B&H Round Stamp LB Sovereign Bb Cornet
F Besson Meha Flugelhorn (Kanstul)

Bill Blackwell · Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 7:35 am Post subject:

par10 · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 12:30 am Post subject:

KanstulBrass · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 6:54 am Post subject:

KanstulBrass · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 7:02 am Post subject: