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Here are some pics of Robert Carpenter testing the latest version of the new Kanstul F tuba. This one has the bronze bell and bottom bow. This is the same metal used in the York tuba bells. Mike Roylance will visit the factory on Friday to pick one up. The red felt pen marks on the tuba are to mark some changes to tube lengths. I believe this is number 6. One is being readied for Lee Stoffer as well.

I spent some time playing this horn and checking the pitch on a strobe tuner, and it's right on. There isn't really any slide pulling necessary that I could find. The low C is awesome as well.

-Ferguson

Broader, more malleable tone, prettier soloistic sound, a bit less projection. Tiny bit more effort required, sounds like a bigger horn, less hand from the conductor. Looks cool. How much affect? 10%.

YMMV.

F

Price on your Web site still accurate? If so, I think Kanstul is going to be making a lot of these!

Anybody know the overall dimensions? Bell size, bore, height, etc? Looks to be @ the size of the Petrushka......and I agree, at that price they will sell some units, and fast.

[quote="Ferguson"]Here are some pics of Robert Carpenter testing the latest version of the new Kanstul F tuba. This one has the bronze bell and bottom bow. This is the same metal used in the York tuba bells.
Hi-
Now I am confused--if the bell and bottom bow are bronze, is this truly the same type of metal as used on the old York tubas? I thought it was some red brass/navy brass/secret brass et al type of metal--but not bronze.

Thanks-
mark

Looks very intriguing! I'd like to give one a play.

jonesmj wrote:

Ferguson wrote:Here are some pics of Robert Carpenter testing the latest version of the new Kanstul F tuba. This one has the bronze bell and bottom bow. This is the same metal used in the York tuba bells.
Hi-
Now I am confused--if the bell and bottom bow are bronze, is this truly the same type of metal as used on the old York tubas? I thought it was some red brass/navy brass/secret brass et al type of metal--but not bronze.

Thanks-
mark

It's easier to say "bronze" than to say "special bronze alloy", but Kanstul uses a special bronze alloy - very close to that found on the old Yorks - in our tubas. This is not the same 85-15 bronze that's found in our trumpets or bass trombones.

all the best,

ps, thanks to Steve for putting the info / pictures up! goshdarnit, we don't even have a picture of the new horn on the Kanstul website yet!

DO WANT

Looks cool! I wouldn't mind playing on one.

-CT

p.s. Loving my Petroushka Mr. Ferguson! Thanks for the help!

kanstulbrass wrote:It's easier to say "bronze" than to say "special bronze alloy", but Kanstul uses a special bronze alloy - very close to that found on the old Yorks - in our tubas. This is not the same 85-15 bronze that's found in our trumpets or bass trombones.

Does that mean that the "-15" refers to tin, or at least a combination of tin with possibly other white metals that would be, of course, part of your "formula" and not necessarily something you want to disclose, that would make it bronze; and not primarily zinc that would make it brass?

at that price they will sell some units

What is that price?

$6000, or $6500 if you want one in silver. At least those are the prices showing on the Horn Guys website.

What did Mike Roylance have to say when he was there on the 9th?

I hung with Robert Carpenter and Mike Roylance last Friday at Kanstul. They both loved the new F tuba, and their favorite was the latest version, unlacquered #6 with the "bronze special alloy" bell and bottom bow, as pictured at the beginning of this thread, and below as played by Mike. Robert took it back to Florida with him to test more, but I think Mike would have taken it if given the opportunity. I believe Mike has ordered his own with the same specs.

Both also liked the 2-tone #3, with silver body and lacquered pistons. Tuba #3 has a yellow brass bell under the silver finish, and while it's a stable, beautiful sound, it's not as lively as the bronze bell version. The 2-tone finish was accidental, as a serial number got transposed, and the wrong finish was applied to the pistons. But, that brings up a question: Is it worth offering the 2-tone finish like this? Few tubas have removable valve sections, but since this one does, it gives this opportunity: silver plate the bell and bows to offer the most resonance and response, but lacquer the pistons to make for easy cleaning. Many of us like the liveliness of a silver tuba, but once the tarnish takes hold, it's difficult to ever get the tuba looking new again, especially around the pistons and slides. So what about just lacquering the pistons for easy cleaning? I'm interested in your opinions. I don't know about pricing on that 2-tone finish. Kanstul says silver plating the valve section uses mush less silver than does plating the bell section, so it would only lower the price a little from the all silver version.

Regarding pricing: Kanstul plans to price this tuba the same as the 5 valve York models: $12000 list price, about $8400 street price, including hard case or Cronkhite bag. The posted price at The Horn Guys is for the first 5 only. At the regular $8400 pricing, it looks to be a few hundred less than a Petruschka, and also includes a case, so while not inexpensive, it may still be a fair price for a really great tuba. Time will tell.

Best,

Ferguson

Looks like an interesting tuba, I'd love to get a chance to try one sometime.

When I was first reading your description of the 2 tone finish I wasn't sure if I'd like the idea, but the photos look good. Since it has a removable valveset I do like the idea of keeping that in lacquer and silver plating the body. I might do that with my York Eb conversion

Cheers

Cam

cambrook wrote:When I was first reading your description of the 2 tone finish I wasn't sure if I'd like the idea, but the photos look good. Since it has a removable valveset I do like the idea of keeping that in lacquer and silver plating the body.

I agree 100%

I should be receiving #1 prototype any day now, so that Midwesterners can try out this new tuba we've been hearing about. Although I ordered this one in lacquer, I do also like the 2-tone appearance as an option, which dresses up the instrument without the hassle of having to silver-polish a valveset.

The prospect of a really good American-made F tuba is pretty exciting!

Lee Stofer wrote:The prospect of a really good American-made F tuba is pretty exciting!

When was the last time this happened?

How are the valves? Most of the Kanstul piston valve instruments I've tried in the past had noisy valves (metal valve guides? not great felts?) that felt too heavy and not super smooth.

The last two custom tubas I've done had the finish modeled after James Jenkins' York BBb conversion. While he has a Gold plated valveset, I've done laquer or bare and I LOVE the look. You should definitely have this as an optional finish. Very sexy!

J.c.S. (who's own York CC conversion also had this finish as well).

Now send me prototypes 1-5 for appropriate disposal