Kanstul 5/4 CC tuba

[Ferguson]

Yes, Kanstul has been working on another new tuba, this time a 5/4 York style piston CC. I've played the first test model. I like. Here are the horn dorn pics of the early test models.

First CC body with long top bow and 2-piece bell for testing:



Three pictures of this first body with a test valve section from a 4/4 CC tuba:







Second test model with a shorter top bow, and a dedicated valve section in .689/.710/.734. They are now making tooling for a .750" valve section as well. The next bell will be spun on a new mandrel, and will eliminate the seam in the middle.







Zig Kanstul tests the fit of the new parts before assembling the second body, and shows the plan for the tuning slide on the new tuba:







Zig Kanstul and production manager Troy Emmons discuss the new design:





This is really a big tuba. It's hard to show the scale in these pictures. Some might look at the bell and say it's a 6/4, though classifying tubas is an inexact science. (Best done while consuming a fine lager.) It does look to be in the style of the Chicago Symphony York, but with less girth.

If the success of the test models continues, this tuba will be shown at the Flagstaff, AZ and Eugene, OR tuba conferences this year.

The little I heard of pricing was in the range of $12000 USD list price, with York bronze alloy bell, lacquer finish, and without case.

Best,

Ferguson

[Ferguson]

Pictures hint that the valveset is another 11/16" bore (ref: King/Jupiter) config...or am I misjudging proportions?

.689" 1st-3rd, .710" 4th, .734" 5th on the test models

SF

[bort]

NICE! To help classify "really big"... what's the bell diameter?

[ckalaher1]

As I told someone recently, if Kanstul cranks out an oversized American made CC with a .750 bore at a reasonable price, say $12-14k, they stand a good chance at selling LOTS of units.

[bisontuba]

As I told someone recently, if Kanstul cranks out an oversized American made CC with a .750 bore at a reasonable price, say $12-14k, they stand a good chance at selling LOTS of units.

Hi-
I may be in the minority, but if this horn is a 5/4 and in lacquer it is going to be around $12K, it will be competing with a lot of horns in that range (1293, Thor, PT-6P, etc.)--it will have stiff competition, and for spending that kind of money, it had better be superb! $12-14K is a lot of money, and I don't think any 5/4 horn at this price is going to sell in big LOTS of units....just my 2 cents...
mark

[Ferguson]

But the price point is_the_same as the Kanstul 4/4 CC.

SF

[EdFirth]

I think it will all come down to "How does it sound? and "How easy it to play" IN TUNE I've played the Bb's The F, The Eb's, and the smaller C and They Play and Sound Great! I laud the German manufactures in their efforts to make the right horn for the American market. But in the end it will be about the sound you want and how easy it is to get out of the horn on your lap. Ed

[Tubacube]

Can't wait to see it with a production bell!

[ckalaher1]

I should've clarified. IF the 5/4 tuba enjoys the same goodwill throughout the community as it's 4/4 brethren, and has solid intonation, I think they HAVE A CHANCE to sell lots of units. If it's a dog, then, obviously, not so much.

If the same alloy is used in this tuba, which I guess it will be, I do think that it will have a chance to do good business due to it's American pedigree, at least among American players.

No disrespect to the talents (or market shares) of Miraphone, Meinl Weston, B&S, Sam Gnagey, Dillon Music, et al was intended. They all make great horns too.

[J.c. Sherman]

Can we assume that's based on their Martin Mammoth style BBb body?

[averagejoe]

But the price point is_the_same as the Kanstul 4/4 CC.

SF

Under 9 grand? Because that would be... grand.

[k001k47]

Cool

[Steve Marcus]

Yes, Kanstul has been working on another new tuba, this time a 5/4 York style piston CC.

It does look to be in the style of the Chicago Symphony York, but with less girth.

Is it possible to infer from that statement that a "true" 6/4 CC and/or BBb is coming in the future from Kanstul?

[Ferguson]

Yes, Kanstul has been working on another new tuba, this time a 5/4 York style piston CC.

It does look to be in the style of the Chicago Symphony York, but with less girth.

Is it possible to infer from that statement that a "true" 6/4 CC and/or BBb is coming in the future from Kanstul?

Yes, it's likely, but you can't afford it.
/snark.

SF

[Tubacube]

I hope it will be available in both CC and BBb! Should sound great in a brass band!

[J.c. Sherman]

I hope it will be available in both CC and BBb! Should sound great in a brass band!

I'm pretty sure the BBb version is already manufactured - check Lee Stopher's site.

[Frank Ortega]

This model looks more like the York model 700 than the CSO/York model 91. The Besson 995/ Nirschl 4/4 are also based on the York 700. Although the bell on this looks abit fatter.

Is that true?

Thanks,
Frank Ortega

[Chobbie]

Anymore updates to this recently?

[wonderbread403]

Reviewing the pictures again, it seems the second prototype has a more vertical valve section. Do people prefer this? I would tend to think a more diagonal valve section as in the first prototype would be more comfortable.

I've noticed that Kanstul has produced two different valve sections for the their new 4/4 "York" tuba line. Their 1st version (as seen on the Kanstul website and on the first 5/4 prototype) has the diagonal valve section and a 5th valve slide pointing down. Their 2nd version that I saw at the NAMM show this year has the upright valve section and the 5th valve slide is now upright (pointing up and next to the first valve slide). I played on the 2nd version and I didn't notice any discomfort with my hand (then again, I only played for a few minutes...not hours). I regularly play on a Conn 2J, which has a diagonal, curvy valve design. I think I'm accustomed to it, but I think my 4th valve, pinky position could be more efficient.

[Chobbie]

Anymore information as to what pricing may be for one of these when they hit the market, and if we can buy a prototype. (cough)