Kanstul 900-4b BBb vs Yamaha YBB 641

[tubaplyer]

I have a chance to trade my YBB 641, really ugly but in excellent playing condition, for a new Kanstul 900-4b. I have played the kanstul and it played wonderfully. Does anyone have any positive or negative feed back?

Thanks,
Adam

[iiipopes]

Just do it. You'll be so glad you did.

[tubaplyer]

Ok, ok I got the message... But wouldn't it be nice to play a nice shinny new horn for once in your life if you we always played on the rebuilt rebuild? The anstul is a 5/4 also and I could use a little more horn covering for my community band when we are shy a few tubas.

All tha being said, does anyone haeany experience with kanstul tubas or this model horn?

[Dan Schultz]

Go for it! In my opinion.... the Kanstul CAN'T be any worse than a Yamaha YBB-641.

Just my opinion.....

[tubapete]

Go for it! In my opinion.... the Kanstul CAN'T be any worse than a Yamaha YBB-641.

Just my opinion.....

^^this^^

[freddytuba]

All you can ever do is play the horn.

If you like it, if it's right for you, go with it.

Doesn't matter what it's called or what it looks like.

If not, say bye-bye.

[Tubacube]

I have played the 900-4B for many years, the second gen 900-4B has the tune any note feature in the back with a thumb ring! It is a 5/4 that won't beat you up like a lot of large tubas do. Go for it! It is a fun tuba to play!

[CNCBrass]

Don't buy a new horn just because it is shiney and your current one is not. The 641 gets a hard rap around here. It is enough horn to support a quite large group. If you have tried the Kanstul and feel that it is a better fit for you then go for it. Don't waste your money on a new horn of any make if you are going into this thinking that because it is 5/4 it will do a better job of supporting the band you play in. The operator usually makes more of a difference than the equipment, especially if, as you stated, the equipment is in good order. No offense intended toward you as the operator in this case. Just be weary of purchasing equipment hoping it will fill a desire.

DH

[joh_tuba]

I genuinely wish Kanstul well BUT have yet to play a horn by them that I would be willing to own or recommend to a friend. Note: I have only played Kanstuls in elephant rooms at conferences and I have no specific knowledge of the Kanstel model in question. They are well built horns and the company definitely has a lot of promise... it's very possible that if I played one again I would have a completely different impression.

In contrast, I've played a few very excellent YBB641s. I suspect most people's experience with the Yamaha involves horns that have been school owned(abused and poorly repaired repeatedly). The Yamaha is made from thin soft brass and really isn't built to withstand abuse. A YBB641 put back into good repair can be an excellent instrument.

My advice(worth what you've paid for it): Get your horn professionally cleaned, pulled apart and dents removed, valves aligned,and linkage tightened up. If you are still unhappy take lessons. Even if I'm completely wrong about Kanstul my advice still stands. A well maintained YBB641 can be quite excellent.

[iiipopes]

The reason the YBB641 gets a "bad rap" around here is because the metal is thin, the valve casings are thin crap causing the valves and linkage to stick, and they have all the intonation difficulties of the horns they're slavishly copied after. But let me tell you how I really feel....

Just the other day I was talking to a friend of mine who bought one for his son brand new a few years ago. The son is conscientious, takes good care of the horn, plays well, and now, a few years after HS graduation, his playing for a local church "orchestra" came up. He told me how the horn is almost unplayable due to the valve & linkage problems. At the time he had bragged so profusely about the purchase and the big $$ he spent that I cringed, but held my composure and said nothing except it is a nice horn. After this last exchange, I cringed, but held my composure and said nothing but oh, that's too bad...hope it can get fixed.