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Hello everyone,
Now that this horn has been out on the market for some time for those of you who own one or have played this horn what do you think? Is pitch good or do they have the old York Monster pitch problems? Would you use it more for solo work or for say quintet? How would you compare this to say the Wilson 3400, Besson 983, or the MW 2141?

Thank you all in advance.

I don't have the 66S, I have the 66T. Several of us Kanstul owners have posted in the past. I have not seen a post where we don't have good things to say about these horns. Mine seems to be particularly well in tune. The only note I have had tuning issues with is the Eb below the staff. I have since learned that if I move my lower jaw a little into the mouthpiece, the problem goes away. Thus, for me, the old York tuning problems have been fixed. The tone of the horn is the York American sound. Thus more organ like than European designed horns. I use mine for quintet and community band work and it blends very well. I have done some solo work for church too. The organ like sound really fills the church. I'm very happy with this horn.

Are you looking to replace your Marzan or your F?

I've played it a few times but never with a tuner. Sound and response are clearer and easier than the large old Eb's, but other Eb's (also the Kanstul F!) have a better low range. I like the 2141 the best of the current Eb's- focused but sounds like a tuba sound , sooo easy to play, great low range. There's an interesting small Willson Eb that, for me, plays a bit better than the 3400. However I think there's only a few out there. A Willson rep told me there is a similar F down the line. That little thing is a player! but doesn't have quite the projection I would like.

My fav of the full sized piston bass tubas is still the Miraphone 1281. Are you specifically looking for an Eb, Chuck?

Sharp 4th partials and flat 5th partials suck, but I always hated the super flat low D the most on the old horns (that have it!). Everything else is ok, though slightly annoying, with a main slide rod but that D is just way the hell out there. Eb is usually better.

Bob Kolada wrote: There's an interesting small Willson Eb that, for me, plays a bit better than the 3400. However I think there's only a few out there. A Willson rep told me there is a similar F down the line. That little thing is a player! but doesn't have quite the projection I would like.

Hey, Bob. Just curiou: were you able to try the Willson in a large hall with someone else listening to you, or were you just reacting to the feel from your lap or near the tuba?

opus37 wrote:the old York tuning problems have been fixed. The tone of the horn is the York American sound

Someone could tell me what were the changes that the Kanstul have made this horn play in tune?
Just Curious

In the Brass Band of Central Florida, we have 2 band-owned Kanstul Eb's that we use. I used a Besson 983 for 2011, including our CD recording and UK tour, but recently switched over to the Kanstul as it's been available to use over the past few months.

I think it is great in terms of versatility around the horn, and it is a little brighter in sound than what you expect from an Eb...feels more like a large F in that way. Really comfortable to play in all registers. i have noticed, however, consistent intonation issues, especially with Eb's and Ab's, and discrepancies between some octaves.

Ultimately, just comes down to if you're trying to match a section sound, perform in a solo or chamber capacity, and your personal preference. It's a solid horn. There are things I like about it, but there are things I also like about the Besson.

Robin Sisk

robinsisk wrote: Really comfortable to play in all registers. i have noticed, however, consistent intonation issues, especially with Eb's and Ab's, and discrepancies between some octaves.

Robin Sisk

Could you go into more detail on this? How would you compare the low range on the Kanstul to the Besson? And what are the big problems with the Eb and Ab and are those two notes the only pitch problems you have?

Thanks again

I’ve been using the Kanstul 66s 4p 1r as my main ax about 6 months. I had a Wilson 3400 for 7 months before it. The Kanstul plays better in tune, has the same problems with the A and Ab below the staff being hard to center. Below that the sound loses its fatness. It is a bit thin but, the notes really bite and project. From the Bb below the staff up it has a great fat sound comparable to a 4/4 C the high register is a bit dull and does not cut throughas well as I would like but, I like the sound. This horn has a resonate frequency on the Bb in the middle of the treble cleft that I can hear ring after I stop playing the note. I have a kicker on the main tuning slide which makes gives me the ability to play in tune throughout the tessitura. I use it for Community band, Regional Orchestra (Symphony Fantastic [High Register], Nightmare before Christmas {Low Register}) Quintet and Solo situations. I’m very pleased with the horn and the service I got from Steve Ferguson.
If you like some more info or like to talk about it PM me.
Hugh Rankin