Question about new to me horn.

[CEBunker]

Hello everyone. First, thank you all for the Years of valuable information you have posted here. It was very helpful in getting back into playing after 25 years. I just purchased a Kanstul 975, an AL4, and an Arbans book for trumpet (I'm treble). I have been practicing for a month and will be starting to practice with a community band next week. I am up to a couple of hours every other day and can really feel it in my lips! But thats normal. What might not be normal is the amount of water (or any water) comming from the bottom of the valves. I don't remember valves leaking. Of course there is lots of water to drain from the slides, so its not as if that is where its all going, I just don't remember water being there. The horn sounds good to me and I an having a great time learning to play again. Just wondering if I have a valve problem. Thanks again, this forum truly is a gold mine.

Chris

[davewerden]

Welcome to the forum!

The dripping is NOT uncommon in our world. It can vary depending on the temperature/humidity of your practice environment, but it usually doesn't go away completely even in dry environments. It also varies with the literature and your playing; the more air you (need to) use to play, the more moisture you blow into the horn.

It's not illogical that the valves' seal could affect this, but I haven't noticed that being a factor in my own experience. I have found it helpful to have a water trap (reservoir) under my main 3 valves. If your bottom caps have the little nipples protruding from the holes, then you can fit one easily. Or Kanstul might be able to provide you a set of caps with them. You can find this discussed in other threads, and you can even find ways to make your own reservoir. I have done that, although right now I'm using the one made by Adams.

Others have solved this with a chamois or towel resting in the bottom crook of the horn body or with a lap cloth. Not as formal-looking but it would probably work.

I have a friend who owns a Kanstul. I'll ask her is she has more trouble with this than her non-Kanstul-playing section mates.

[CEBunker]

Thank you Sir, that is good to hear. I was a little bit worried since I gambled and went for a Kanstul (great price for a horn of that capability), but not a Besson, Willson, or Yamaha... I will have to come back and report to you all how it performs intonation wise after I can safely eliminate myself as a source of error.

[Rodgeman]

Welcome.I have not hear much about the Kanstul Euphoniums. How are they to play?

[davewerden]

I looked around a bit and found a test I did on a Kanstul in 2006. The newer production horns may be different, but here is the link my my impressions and impressions of others:

http://www.dwerden.com/forum/showthr.../12635-Kanstul

And here is where you can find the intonation chart I did:

http://www.dwerden.com/Intonation/

[CEBunker]

Well, I am not an expert. But the sound is deep an rich, much better than the school standard instrument I played years ago. I will be trying a Willson (assume its the 2900) tomorrow. My local music store knew I was looking for a horn and just got this in (used). They want me to trade in and buy the Willson (twice the price of the Kanstul). I should have a comparison point tomorrow, and if I buy it, I will likely also be "newly single"!

[davewerden]

My friend believes you are probably experiencing normal water build-up.

[Msan1313]

Well, I am not an expert. But the sound is deep an rich, much better than the school standard instrument I played years ago. I will be trying a Willson (assume its the 2900) tomorrow. My local music store knew I was looking for a horn and just got this in (used). They want me to trade in and buy the Willson (twice the price of the Kanstul). I should have a comparison point tomorrow, and if I buy it, I will likely also be "newly single"!

Be sure you have a medium shank mouthpiece just in case it's a 2900. If it's a 2950, or one designated BT it will take large shank, but the 2900 only takes medium shanks.

[Rodgeman]

Thank you. I look forward to it.

Dave - I did read your review. I was looking to see if they had improved since then.

[CEBunker]

Be sure you have a medium shank mouthpiece just in case it's a 2900. If it's a 2950, or one designated BT it will take large shank, but the 2900 only takes medium shanks.

Yes, and that could ruin the comparison. Everything I have read here indicates that the mouthpiece is as important as the horn. All I have is my old bach 2.

Correction: bach 12.