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My preference is still Kanstul though. I feel that of the choices out there the Kanstul is the easiest to center pitch on and the easiest horn to play at extreme volume levels, both soft and loud. The horn can swallow you up if you don't put enough air through it though, and I would not really reccomend it to a player who is just beginning.
Shawn C ^0^
The Kanstul Grande (their 5/4 sized horn) is BY FAR, the best marching bass horn I've played on. It "speaks" extremely well in every pitch & volume range. It also resonates like no other....simply put - it is just the best bass horn for the outdoor idiom.
If you are a player who is just beginning, I would recommend getting your hands on the Kanstul 4/4 sized horn. IMHO, the DEG & Yamaha 4/4 horns are not even in the same league as Kanstul 4/4. It is very easy to control and as Shawn wisely pointed out - it doesn't take the volumes of thick air that the Kanstul Grande demands, making it a great horn for a beginner.