oldschoolVK

FYI: Zig Kanstul himself recommends the M6 mellophone mouthpiece for use with the mellophone. As well, Tony Scodwell (one of Stan Kenton's infamous mellophonium players) also recommends a mellophone mouthpiece. Personally, if you wish to use a cornet mouthpiece go ahead. If your teacher wants you to use the french horn mouthpiece, make sure you are using an adaptor. If you are worried about overcoming simple intonation problems (and you should be, given that you are not an experienced mellophone player yet) then you should use the mellophone mouthpiece. I have one on my desk, brand new, for $40. Shipping is $3.85 and you will have it in a week. Kanstul takes credit cards over the phone. www.kanstul.net Good luck on the switch. (I think you should kick the band director in the shin too, by the way)

...Dale Stevens made a project out of Mr. Gray...when I saw her work later on...well...even *I* had to tell her to perform some paint surgery. The result is what you see...heh. cg I never thought to ask if the ancient Greeks were Jewish...

Thank you for those kind words Bloooo. The mellophones were actually made to the Bluecoats specs with some minor modifications to our existing KMM 280. We're glad they worked out for you. KMM 281 Marching Mellophone

...you said it, man! I AM biased, of course, but Roxanne Narachi's color guards always were a step ahead...she also choreographed the bull sequence! ( I think they beat Phantom in guard at at least one show previous to nats, as well as the corps proper at one of the "Rockies" shows.). As far as the drum corps, there's only one group that I've worked with that may have had better talent...well, probably did...the 1975 Hawthorne Muchachos. But, then, they had more practice! Heh. OH, if you have the video, check out the "greek" pop-up props for the quintet in the "Zorba the Greek" opener...I made 'em, but some alumni helpers re-painted them for nats, there's some notable equipment out there! cg yeah, I remember when Julie was painting those statues...she was quite, um, generous with the paint...

I don't get the question...are you asking for the name of the song in 85 with the great mellophone solo? That would be Don Ellis' (Strawberry Soup man) "Final Analysis" with the ending that never ends. But I don't think I get the question...would love to answer it though. I was THERE in 85!!! Woooooooooooooooooo hoooooooooooooooooo -- you gotta LOVE Peter Gunn!!! b**bs Man, not only did the song never end, but the drill never ended! In fact it seemed that our rehearsals never ended...but that's what it took to put on a convincing act like we did! Perhaps my favorite opener of my time with VK - Peter Gunn! and then the colorguard shot us with machine guns! Remember our smoking visual? B) NBC Chimes Festival, the finale was at 210! Final Analysis? Not easy, and never "final" Drum Solo with all those flourescent cards? Jeez! Yeah, that 85 show was terribly underrated.

Thank you for your kind words about our marching brass, however I'm surprised at your assessment of our Mellophone. The KMM 280 Marching Mellophone is generally regarded as the best in the industry, and judging by sales, it is the most popular of our marching brass line. I'm sure that if you put it to a strobe, you'll find that our mellophone is more consistent and has better intonation than any other mellophone on the market. In a real-time marching situation, remember that the "tune any note" feature is an advantage. As well, our horns have been engineered with decades of Zig Kanstul's knowledge from his days as head of R & D for Olds and as VP of Manufacturing for King, Conn and Benge. Best Regards,

Capitol Music in Montgomery, AL.

I've stayed away from "weighing in" on this poll, but I have been following it. I noticed that when the poll was set up, Kanstul was split into two keys...any particular reason? At any rate, when you add it up, it seems that Kanstul beats the others my 2:1 so thank you all for your kind words and votes. My job at Kanstul is to promote our professional level instruments in addition to our marching brass. I'm happy to see so much enthusiasm for our horns, however the message boards are not a good indication of our position in the marketplace. More decision makers need to know of your enthusiasm and support of Kanstul horns...tell your band directors and boosters that you demand to play Kanstul! Best Regards,

Been a while since I posted, we're really busy here at Kanstul. Thank you to all who have been an influence on their band director, corps director and booster organization to place those marching brass orders! I've mentioned this briefly in another post a couple of months ago. Zig Kanstul has designed a new horn that may someday replace the marching french horn. Tentatively it is called the Marching Tenor Horn, around the factory it's called the MFL Horn (don't ask, I'll tell you later) It has the elegant sound and intonation of the Tenor Horn (sometimes known as the Alto Horn) found in the British Brass Band. It is much easier to play while marching at high velocity, and will fit in the brass choir below the soprano (generic) voices and above the baritone voices. The prototype is at the factory, but anyone who wants to come play it is welcome to. If I know you are coming down, I'll make arrangements to have it in the showroom. no photo as of yet, but I'll post one when I get it. :P

TRPTJOCK is absolutely correct

Just a reminder - those were built by...Kanstul! B)

Maybe the Bb switch isn't too bad, since intonation issues and quality of sound are becoming a larger factor with competition in today's senior corps. I heard that Kanstul makes a trumpet with a "bugle" bell. If you look at a G-bugle, you'll notice a huge difference in the taper of the bell as compared to a trumpet bell. The bugle bell is much larger, which creates largest difference between the sounds of the G to the Bb. This difference causes the darker sound of the bugle. Though I haven't had the chance to play a Kanstul trumpet with the bugle bell--I'm fairly certain that the sound would be comperable. Maybe oldschoolVK can comment on this? Our COL 103 Marching Trumpet is unlike other marching trumpets on the market. The bell is indeed a "bugle" bell in that it has a large flare (our production manager tells me that it is a bugle bell). This gives the sound a rich dark quality, as well as terrific projection. With a bore size of .470 (Bach trumpets are usually .459), it can take all the air you can give it without over blowing. The Coliseum trumpet is firmly braced and has great intonation. IMHO, it is the closest one can come to a "Bb Bugle". Earlier this year, I had the chance to play a marching trumpet offered by one of our competitors. I don't know the bore size, but it seemed as though it did not blow as freely. I also found that I could over blow and pretty much rattle the horn much more readily than I could the COL 103. It did not slot well at all above high C. As well, the intonation was too far off for my taste. It would be suitable for most marching programs but I believe that it would not stand up long to the demands of more advanced programs.

Remember that many of us who fondly recall quality King marching instruments (new or used) in the 70's and into the 80's were probably playing Kanstul-built horns! You guys already know which horns I prefer B)

I know of no one that plates nor lacquers the inside of the horn, so I don't think the bore would be altered. Thanks for responding, I hope to see more discussion here. Why don't more corps play lacquer? Another questions comes to mind: Which corps DID play lacquer? Bridgemen, Crossmen,...anyone else?

The question above is: Can You "Hear" the Lacquer? Please answer honestly, vote with your ears not your eyes! Thanks. Additional discussion: Which finish do you prefer? Why? Which finish "wears" better? Lasts longer? Why don't more corps play lacquer (or alternate finish)? Why do schools tend to play lacquer horns? On the average, a lacquered horn can be from $100 (for trumpet/soprano) to about $600 (for tuba/contra) less than the cost of a silver horn. Just thought I'd open up an old discussion, or perhaps this one as not been done before...

French horns are difficult to play under the modern marching demands placed upon the performer. It would be difficult to maintain a stable sound. Mellophones with their projection and larger mouthpiece are easier to play during movement. One problem with mellophones is that they tend to be "over played" and can sound harsh, out of tune and edgy. Kanstul is working on a prototype horn - the marching Tenor Horn. Based on the traditional brass band alto/tenor horn (there are no french horns in British brass bands) it has the elegant sound, intonation and stability that could work well in modern corps and band arrangements. It uses a larger mouthpiece, making it easier to play while performing high velocity drill. The range of the horn, which is in the key of F, is still that of the mellophone, flugel or french horn but fits nicely under the lower sops and above the baritones. No pictures yet, but a prototype met with positive response at the Kanstul booth at the Cerritos show last Friday evening. Comments anyone?? (Mrshowfan, great avatar - Bill Chase rocks!)

Kanstul will have a booth at the Southern California Classic Drum & Bugle Corps Show this Friday, June 20 2003. At the booth, I will have a brand-new, still-in-the-bag Kanstul G Mellophone. If any of you Senior Corps folks in Southern California attending the show are interested in purchasing this horn, I would like to hear from you. Here is your chance: no six-week waiting period, and you can have it NOW. TODAY. Price: $770 plus Ca Tax = $830 I'm sorry, but Zig will not allow a "show discount" or special. The advantage is that you take the horn home with you, case and mouthpiece included! Terms: Cash only. (cashier's check or money order accepted, of course) Serious inquiries only, contact me directly at charleshargett@kanstul.net before 2pm PST Friday. Charles Hargett Sales Manager Kanstul Musical Instruments

Kanstul will have a booth at the Southern California Classic Drum & Bugle Corps Show this Friday, June 20 2003. At the booth, I will have a brand-new, still-in-the-bag Kanstul G Mellophone. If any of you Senior Corps folks in Southern California attending the show are interested in purchasing this horn, I would like to hear from you. Here is your chance: no six-week waiting period, and you can have it NOW. TODAY. Price: $770 plus Ca Tax = $830 I'm sorry, but Zig will not allow a "show discount" or special. The advantage is that you take the horn home with you, case and mouthpiece included! Terms: Cash only. (cashier's check or money order accepted, of course) Serious inquiries only, contact me directly at charleshargett@kanstul.net before 2pm PST Friday. Charles Hargett Sales Manager Kanstul Musical Instruments

Kanstul will have a booth at the Southern California Classic Drum & Bugle Corps Show this Friday, June 20 2003. At the booth, I will have a brand-new, still-in-the-bag Kanstul G Mellophone. If any of you Senior Corps folks in Southern California attending the show are interested in purchasing this horn, I would like to hear from you. Here is your chance: no six-week waiting period, and you can have it NOW. TODAY. Price: $770 plus Ca Tax = $830 I'm sorry, but Zig will not allow a "show discount" or special. The advantage is that you take the horn home with you, case and mouthpiece included! Terms: Cash only. (cashier's check or money order accepted, of course) Please contact me directly here: charleshargett@kanstul.net before 2pm PST on Friday. Charles Hargett Sales Manager Kanstul Musical Instruments

Well, I have to agree on that! Kanstul Bb Marching French Horn Thank you for your interest!

Settin' the record straight on Zig Kanstul: "In 1953 Mr. Kanstul moved to Anaheim, CA where F.E. Olds employed him as a mounter. For the next eight years he was apprenticed to F.A. Reynolds from whom he learned the fine art of brass instrument manufacturing. He spent 18 years at Olds where he became factory superintendent in charge of all R & D-Engineering and Design. Mr. Kanstul left Olds in 1970 to become Vice President of King Musical Instruments in charge of the Benge plant. In 1979 he became Vice President of Manufacturing of C.G. Conn and spent the next 2 years traveling to manufacturing facilities throughout the U.S. and Mexico. Kanstul Musical Instruments was launched in 1981, and has established a reputation for quality and craftsmanship. The factory is located in southern California, one mile east of Disneyland. Kanstul Musical Instruments employs sixty craftsmen and manufactures a complete line of brass musical instruments." source, KANSTUL.NET

The Kanstul factory uses Tarnex Silver polish for both the horns and mouthpieces. I have used this on my 35 year old Schilke trumpet and it made it look like new.

I'm no metallurgist, but I don't believe you could do it anyway. Why would you copper plate a mouthpiece anyway? An excellent conductor, copper would merely make your mouthpiece warmer or colder, depending upon which climate condition you were playing under. As far as I know, the most common platings would be silver, gold, nickel. Any others? But mouthpieces are commonly plated with gold right over the silver, there's no problems with "sticking" to the silver plate.

That Suncoast Sound lick from 85 (or was it 86?)

In the early 80's, the only finish on our horns was either nickel or chrome. Cleaning them was easy, either use windex or shower with the horn!