Hello everyone!

This is my first post on the forum, so let me know if I need to change anything!

So, I visited Dawkes Music here in the UK today, with the intention of trying out some trombones to get a feel for how different horns play, and I ended up trying quite an interesting horn! So interesting, that I have bought it and intend to try it out in the next 14 days before the return window expires, to see if I want to keep it.

The instrument in question is a Kanstul 1670 single rotor Bb/F bass trombone, with TIS tuning in slide. It also came with the optional extra rotor that replaces the tuning slide for the F rotor, and changes the instrument into a dual rotor Bb/F/D dependent bass trombone! And it looks pretty funky too!







However, I noticed something even more interesting... This horn seems to have a harmonic bridge, which I can't see in any other photos of Kanstul 1670s on the internet, except for this one [url=https://www.brassandwinds.com/blogs/news/what-s-on-amanda-s-bench-a-kanstul-1670-bass-trombone]here... Does this mean that the harmonic bridge was added by the previous owner, or could it be a rare factory addition?

Also, I know basically nothing about how the harmonic bridge functions, so does anyone know how I might use it? I couldn't find any "pillars" that came with it in the case, so is that something I would have to buy myself, or could I test out with some nuts and bolts or something?

Also, I thought Edwards had a patent on the harmonic bridge, so does this mean that it must have been an Edwards addition?

Thank you for your thoughts/insights! I look forward to the next 14 days of playing with this instrument!

I feel like a remember this popping up on the old forums. Maybe someone will a better memory can find it. I’m having trouble finding the thread. I seem to recall the harmonic bridge was added by the previous owner.

It's not the same shape as the Edwards part. So obviously it is an "aftermarket" option

My guess would be that maybe there were some flexing issues with the bird's nest valve and open wrap, so they put some more bracing on it so that those two small braces holding everything in place. Usually there would also be an additional brace at the front of the F-attachment going to the bell brace, but I see that is missing.

Question is whether it was made that way, or modded to be that way. Either way, one heck of an interesting horn!

Thank you for your ideas! I've sent an email to the shop I got it from, to see if they have any information about the previous owner, so we'll see what they say!

[quote="hornbuilder"]It's not the same shape as the Edwards part. So obviously it is an "aftermarket" option[/quote]

I see, thank you! I'll see if I can measure the thread diameter and thread pitch of the holes, to see whether it might be compatible with Edwards pillars, or whether it would require it's own special aftermarket ones. I can't seem to find any information about aftermarket harmonic bridges on the internet, so checking the history of the horn is probably the easiest method to get more information.

[quote="mrdeacon"]I feel like a remember this popping up on the old forums. Maybe someone will a better memory can find it. I’m having trouble finding the thread. I seem to recall the harmonic bridge was added by the previous owner.[/quote]

If you manage to find more information, that would be fantastic, thank you! I've done quite the bit of searching the internet today, to no avail thus far, so any information would be great!

[quote="tbonesullivan"]My guess would be that maybe there were some flexing issues with the bird's nest valve and open wrap, so they put some more bracing on it so that those two small braces holding everything in place. Usually there would also be an additional brace at the front of the F-attachment going to the bell brace, but I see that is missing.

Question is whether it was made that way, or modded to be that way.[/quote]

Interesting! Structural support makes sense, although it's funny that if that happens to be its only purpose, that they chose to make it look like a harmonic bridge! Maybe to try to make the horn look extra fancy, or because they like the style?

If it's an aftermarket addition, I imagine it isn't likely to sound anywhere near as good as the Edwards harmonic bridges, as the whole bell/valve section is designed with them in mind, if I'm correct? It would be interesting to see whether using the same harmonic pillars would have the same or different effects, or if they end up just working the same, but to a lesser extent or something. Either way, experimentation must occur!

[quote="tbonesullivan"]Either way, one heck of an interesting horn![/quote]

Oh, definitely! I'm going to have so much fun messing around with it!

*edit*- Didn’t see that you’ve already linked this article. :pant:

I believe this is the horn, courtesy of Matt/Quinn.

<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.brassandwinds.com/blogs/new ... s-trombone">https://www.brassandwinds.com/blogs/news/what-s-on-amanda-s-bench-a-kanstul-1670-bass-trombone</LINK_TEXT>

[quote="HawaiiTromboneGuy"]I believe this is the horn, courtesy of Matt/Quinn.[/quote]

It certainly looks like it! Are Matt/Quinn based in the USA? If so, I wonder how the horn made its way over here to England in the past 3–4 years... And whether it makes sense to reach out to them to see if they have more information as well.

[quote="HawaiiTromboneGuy"]*edit*- Didn’t see that you’ve already linked this article. :pant:[/quote]

Hehe, that's alright! I hid the link within a paragraph, so it wasn't easy to spot!

[quote="blandismyspeciality"]<QUOTE author="HawaiiTromboneGuy" post_id="264249" time="1736968056" user_id="3695">
I believe this is the horn, courtesy of Matt/Quinn.[/quote]

It certainly looks like it! Are Matt/Quinn based in the USA? If so, I wonder how the horn made its way over here to England in the past 3–4 years... And whether it makes sense to reach out to them to see if they have more information as well.
</QUOTE>

"Matt/Quinn" is Matt Stoecker, founder of The Mighty Quinn Brass and Winds, located in Redmond, Washington (near Seattle).

https://www.brassandwinds.com

Matt is very approachable.

[quote="Posaunus"]<QUOTE author="blandismyspeciality" post_id="264292" time="1736978821" user_id="18981">

It certainly looks like it! Are Matt/Quinn based in the USA? If so, I wonder how the horn made its way over here to England in the past 3–4 years... And whether it makes sense to reach out to them to see if they have more information as well.[/quote]

"Matt/Quinn" is Matt Stoecker, founder of The Mighty Quinn Brass and Winds, located in Redmond, Washington (near Seattle).

https://www.brassandwinds.com

Matt is very approachable.
</QUOTE>

Ah, fantastic, thank you! I'll try reaching out to see if they have any information.

[quote="blandismyspeciality"]<QUOTE author="HawaiiTromboneGuy" post_id="264249" time="1736968056" user_id="3695">
I believe this is the horn, courtesy of Matt/Quinn.[/quote]

It certainly looks like it! Are Matt/Quinn based in the USA? If so, I wonder how the horn made its way over here to England in the past 3–4 years... And whether it makes sense to reach out to them to see if they have more information as well.

[quote="HawaiiTromboneGuy"]*edit*- Didn’t see that you’ve already linked this article. :pant:[/quote]

Hehe, that's alright! I hid the link within a paragraph, so it wasn't easy to spot!
</QUOTE>
Yes, Matt used to go by Quinn The Eskimo, but is now known as The Mighty Quinn. He buys and sells quite a bit of horns and you can find a plethora of his listings on eBay.

Here is the link to his eBay page: <LINK_TEXT text="https://www.ebay.com/str/quinntheeskimo ... media=COPY">https://www.ebay.com/str/quinntheeskimovintagehorns?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=sdpcAAcNS5-&sssrc=3418065&ssuid=SBuI80tfS-2&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY</LINK_TEXT>

I would definitely try reaching out to him and see if he can give you more details regarding this specific horn. I believe he is a member here, although he doesn’t post very often.