Created as a specialty trumpet in Germany around 1820 and used mostly by military brass bands, the BASS TRUMPET is the same length as a trombone but using valves. Wagner even used it in his Der Ring des Nebilungen. It has a very Metallic and Hard sound and therefore not as good a choice for TRUMPET PLAYERS who generally use it for a doubler in LATIN, POP or JAZZ ensembles. The reason TRUMPET PLAYERS use it in these types of ensembles is obvious…..they want a TROMBONE SOUND without hiring a TROMBONE PLAYER or having to use a SLIDE. However because of THE BASS TRUMPETS DESIGN it does not get the rich full sound of a TROMBONE. Is there a better DESIGNED INSTRUMENT for the job? And is it as easy to use as the BASS TRUMPET?

INTRODUCING THE KANSTUL 955 FLUGELBONE. The BETTER DESIGNED INSTRUMENT. It is truly a CONCERT SOUNDING TENOR TROMBONE DESIGNED TO BE HELD LIKE A TRUMPET with 3 valves. But that is where the similarities stop when compared to the BASS TRUMPET. Pitched one octave lower(just like a TROMBONE) than your Bb TRUMPET it is DESIGNED in a more Conical fashion with a TRUE TENOR TROMBONE BORE OF .500 AND A TRUE TENOR TROMBONE BELL OF 8 1/2″. Compared to the BASS TRUMPETS .485 BORE AND 7 1/2″ BELL and more TRUMPET LIKE DESIGN you can see why THE BASS TRUMPET is no match for the KANSTUL 955 FLUGELBONE.

THE KANSTUL 955 FLUGELBONE is also easier to HOLD than THE BASS TRUMPET. Again that has to do with DESIGN. THE BASS TRUMPET tends to be BELL HEAVY due to it’s unusually LONG DESIGN. The FLUGELBONE is more CONICAL and COMPACT like a CORNET making it easier to handle. It is the PERFECT INSTRUMENT for any TRUMPET PLAYER who needs a doubling instrument for his ensemble or even the MARCHING BAND looking for a more manuverable TROMBONE.

It comes standard with a 12C mouthpiece which tends to be easier for TRUMPET PLAYERS to use. However we do offer it like all KANSTUL INSTRUMENTS WE SELL with YOUR CHOICE of any KANSTUL ONE-PIECE MOUTHPIECE. And you always have the option to MAKE IT YOUR KANSTUL by calling me to discuss your different options.

To The Champion Of The Valve Trombone Sound In Music,

Jack Kanstul

A GOOD MOUTHPIECE can make a BAD instrument play BETTER and A BAD MOUTHPIECE can make a GOOD instrument play WORSE. This scenario helps us to see HOW IMPORTANT the selection of the RIGHT MOUTHPIECE is for your instrument. How does one determine the difference between a GOOD or BAD MOUTHPIECE? And which MOUTHPIECE is RIGHT for you?

To answer the first question about DIFFERENCE between GOOD or BAD MOUTHPIECES it comes down to Two Things: THE DESIGN and THE CRAFTSMANSHIP. To help us understand the design element a simple illustration may help. There are different sizes to BRASSWIND INSTRUMENTS like TRUMPET to TUBA. You would not think of using a TUBA MOUTHPIECE (if it could fit) in your TRUMPET anymore than you would think of using a TRUMPET MOUTHPIECE in your TUBA. The latter would fit but not right and that is the point. THE DESIGN is wrong for the size of the instrument. It needs to be MATCHED to the size of the instrument. The second point is it needs to be CRAFTED RIGHT. That is the machining of the metal, it’s dimensions and tapers need to be smooth and accurate to the finest degree. This is no easy task.

Now we come to the fun part: WHICH MOUTHPIECE IS RIGHT FOR YOU? FIRST we need to know WHAT A MOUTHPIECE DOES. Basically it is used to help your EMBOUCHURE to SET UP PROPERLY to make a SOUND in that RESONATING TUBE called a BRASSWIND INSTRUMENT. Sound Easy? Not Really! As there can be literally THOUSANDS of combinations. The key words here are SET UP PROPERLY. And it get’s more complicated in that NOT EVERYONE PLAYS with the same EMBOUCHURE. Some use a more SMILE APPROACH and others a more PUCKER APPROACH and everything in-between. Also you have differences in the ORAL CAVITY of the player which will make a difference in which size of CUP, wider-narrower…deeper-shallower, FEELS THE BEST. HOW CAN LASER TECHNOLOGY HELP?

ENTER KANSTUL MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS. My father, Zigmant Kanstul, has developed a REVOLUTIONARY approach to MOUTHPIECE MANUFACTURING. Using a RUBY LASER PROBE he has been able to make an exact copy of any mouthpiece OUTSIDE and most importantly INSIDE. Yes right down to the BACKBORE. Then using a MODULAR SYSTEM of design it allows you to match ANY MOUTHPIECE CUP to ANY MOUTHPIECE BACKBORE of MOST MANUFACTURES MOUTHPIECES. Also to help in this regard you can use his amazing MOUTHPIECE COMPARATOR which allows you to overlap one over the other to see the differences.

To give you guidance in all of this I offer my knowledge and assistance. Having been raised and trained by the best in the industry I have insights into BRASS PEDAGOGY. I can help you to select the right combination for you and your playing situation. So give me a call.

To The Music And Selection Of The Right Mouthpiece,

Jack Kanstul

Whether it’s LES BENEDICT on his Kanstul 1606 Jazz Model Tenor Trombone or GEORGE ROBERTS on his Kanstul 1670 Bass Trombone the recording studios are alive with The Sound Of Kanstul. Both are legendary players in the LA studios and both love their KANSTUL TROMBONES.

The LA Jazz Scene magazine said of Les, “A very gifted trombonist who can play in many different styles.” Wheter it’s from Bob Florence to Don Ellis or Henry Mancini to Prince, the list of recording sessions that Les has recorded on reads like a who’s who. Conrad Herwig in his book, Fond Memories of Frank Rosolino, writes, “Les Benedict….has taught me most of what I know about playing the trombone.” To learn more about LES BENEDICT go to his website at www.les-benedict.com

MEET MR. ROBERTS. George Roberts “Mr. Bass Trombone” virtually single-handedly “wrote the book” on playing the commercial Bass Trombone, bringing it from it’s last, low trombone status to the forefront as a solo instrument. George has been a True Legend in the LA studio scene for over 50 years. From Frank to Sarah to Judy to Nat or the likes of Henry Mancini or Nelson Riddle you’ve heard the unmistakable sound of GEORGE ROBERTS “Mr. Bass Trombone”.

At the recent 2008 NAMM show in Anaheim I was speaking with George at the Kanstul Booth. He has known my father for over 50 years, since the F.E. OLDS days. He refers fondly of my father as The Master. Of course he’s speaking of my father’s ability to craft the finest of instruments. As we were discussing recent events in the Music Industry I said, “You know George, nothing resonates like a Kanstul.” He said, ” You’re right. That’s the difference. Your father really knows how to make a horn sing.”  Whether it’s a piccolo trumpet or tuba, nothing truly resonates like a Kanstul.

Here at Kanstul Music we offer our unique program of TRY BEFORE YOU BUY. It allows you the opportunity to play test a Kanstul to hear and feel for yourself the difference. I’m sure you will agree with George and all the other World Renowned brass players who have made Kanstul their Horn Of Choice.

To The Music,

Jack Kanstul