Up for sale is a beautiful Kanstul X Model professional Bb silver trumpet. This one was just given a once over in our shop and is ready to go. All the valves are fast and quiet and the tuning slides are smooth. A life-long brass player, Duwayne worked at F.E. Olds & Son beginning in 1964—later at the Benge Trumpet Company—and has been with Kanstul from the start. With over 40 years of hornmaking experience, Duwayne is a superb craftsman and highly-valued member of our team.
In 1981, Zigmant Kanstul founded Kanstul Musical Instruments, building fine brasswinds both under his own name and for venerable marques like F. Besson. But the story didn’t start there. Zig’s career as a brassmaker began in 1952, at F.E. Olds & Son in Los Angeles. There, he apprenticed and honed his skills under the direction of Foster A. Reynolds, a giant in the history of brasswind design and manufacturing. In 1970, after 18 years at Olds, eventually leading R&D and production, Zig left to assume the position of Vice President at King Musical Instruments, in charge of the Benge Trumpet factory. He subsequently became Vice President of Manufacturing for C.G. Conn. more
And it has been a long run.
67 years ago, Zig Kanstul first began crafting brasswinds, and though the master himself passed in 2016, our family has carried on the tradition of building a broad line of brass instruments with an unrelenting focus on the sound.
However, we came to a point where it was no longer viable for us to continue.
We want to thank all the players who have made music on our horns over the years, from the casual players, the band members, the drum corps sections—to the professionals in the pop, rock, jazz, symphonic, mariachi, and Hollywood soundtrack genres—and everyone in between.
We’d also like to thank our indispensable design collaborators who over the years worked with Zig to create so many horns that made history.
Also, thanks to our dealers and resellers, and of course our private-label partners who have kept so many iconic instrument designs available to the serious playing community.
This website will remain online for the foreseeable future, as an archive of Kanstul history and product information. Content on this website is for reference purposes only. There are no instruments or parts available for sale by Kanstul Musical Instruments. Our doors are closed permanently and we will no longer be responding to phone calls or emails. Inquiries regarding archive status may be sent to scott@eyemotive.com.
This website was designed and built by Eyemotive.
The most complete line of brasswinds
made in the USA
We have always taken a “player-centric” approach to the design of our brasswinds, building for the needs of players in all categories of performance. Our entire selection of instruments is based on Zig’s unique understanding of the science of resonance in the tapered tube and its application to musicality in every type of brass voicing and playing situation, from the piccolo trumpet to the 5/4 tuba. Our commitment to the art of fine brassmaking resonates in every instrument we build.
The Modern Mellophone
A 50-YEAR HISTORY
Big Sound Versatility
ALAN KAPLAN ON THE 1570-B
The Wallace Roney Quintet
LIVE AT THE FACTORY
1603+ Wallace Roney Model
THE SOUND OF THE GREATS
The Last of the Great Masters
A STORY OF AMERICAN BRASSWIND MASTERY
A Tribute to Zig
FRIENDS GATHER FOR A MUSICAL SALUTE
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“This is absolutely the best horn I’ve ever played—it has the playing characteristics of the classic horn given to me by Miles. It plays immaculately, like the best Committee you could find. In this trumpet I hear the sound of the greats, and the sound of the future”
“(The Model 1088 Bass Trumpet) looks terrific, sounds amazing, and feels great! The tone is rich & full throughout all registers, and the intonation is superb. I can slam into the upper register with ease, or play delicately with a brilliant tone, and little kickback.”
Plays like a go-kart…it just goes!
”When the legendary Peggy King and Steve Love, audio specialist for Wynton Marsalis Cape May Jazz Concert, tell you “…you have the greatest trumpet sound I have ever heard,” you know you have an incredible trumpet. For someone who has owned great horns—even a gold-plated Martin Committee owned by Wallace Roney—I tell you the Kanstul “Committee” Model 1603+ may be the greatest trumpet ever made. And, as if it were frosting on the cake, the valves are also lightning fast and smooth as silk.”
“The Kanstul 5480 5/4 F-tuba is my main solo horn and orchestral F tuba. With a big rich sound, this tuba is dynamic and smooth. Its excellent intonation, and even sound throughout all registers, make the 5480 great for F-tuba work in solos, quintet or orchestra. As an American F-tuba, this tuba is unique, possessing qualities that are distinctly warm and powerful. The 5490 blends beautifully with other instruments, while providing the clarity desired for solo playing.”
Years and Serial Numbers are Approximate.
Buescher Trumpet Serial numbers are most often found on the 2nd valve casing - OR if that is buffed off, check on one of the valves themselves! Pull out a valve and look on the section just below the button and stem. In MOST Buecher trumpets in the 1950s and earlier, you can find the serial number here as well.
Please see the Bell Logos section to see samples of each Bell Logo.
If your Buescher Trumpet/Cornet bares an engraving of an ELK on the bell, please see the note below the serial number chart.
| Serial Number | Year Manufactured | Logo Type |
|---|---|---|
Model Introduced: 'True Tone' 1890-1932 | ||
| 1 | 1888-1904 | |
1903 Fire in Elkhart plant destroys all prior records | ||
| 5000 | 1905 | |
| 5620 | 1906 | |
| 6610 | 1907 | |
| 7808 | 1908 | |
| 8580 | 1909 | |
| 11250 | 1910 | |
| 13685 | 1911 | |
| 15870 | 1912 | |
| 18178 | 1913 | |
| 22860 | 1914 | |
| 25103 | 1915 | |
| 28875 | 1916 | |
| 32350 | 1917 | |
| 37540 | 1918 | |
| 46975 | 1919 | |
| 61255 | 1920 | |
| 78525 | 1921 | |
| 99275 | 1922 | |
| 125750 | 1923 | |
| 150250 | 1924 | |
| 175275 | 1925 | |
| 202350 | 1926 | |
| 222175 | 1927 | |
| 235250 | 1928 | |
| 245250 | 1929 | |
| 255275 | 1930 | |
| 260125 | 1931 | |
Model Introduced: 'Aristocrat' 1932-1963 | ||
| 264025 | 1932 | |
| 265523 | 1933 | |
| 267356 | 1934 | |
| 268971 | 1935 | |
| 272896 | 1936 | |
| 279300 | 1937 | |
| 284418 | 1938 | |
| 288024 | 1939 | |
| 291336 | 1940 | |
Model Introduced: 'The 400' 1937-1966 (?)- Serial Range 283xxx - 438xxx | ||
| 294125 | 1941 | |
| 297527 | 1942 | |
| 303000 | 1945 | |
| 312000 | 1948 | |
| 316000 | 1949 | |
| 326000/332000* | 1950 | |
| 337000 | 1951 | |
| 347000 | 1952 | |
| 350000 | 1955 | |
| 360000 | 1960 | |
| 381000 | 1963 | |
About this time Selmer Purchased Buescher | ||
| 408000 | 1965 | |
| 520000 | 1970 | |
| 630000 | 1975 | |
| 785000 | 1980 | |
| 875000 | 1983 | |
| - | - | |
*1950 Serial number is different on various sites.. so I have listed BOTH numbers, I think the number MORE accurate would be 326000.
Please note that there are a FEW exceptions to this chart.
1) Some of the modern Buescher labeled trumpets from the 1970-present that have serial numbers that do not correspond to this chart. Most seem to have the 'Upsidedown Nike' Bell Logo and are model BU-7. Selmer must have done a serial number 'reset' at some point.
2) I have also noticed some of the 1960s 'Side Scroller' and possibly 'Top Scroller' logoed trumpets/cornets that have serial numbers in the 100,000 range. These obviously are NOT subject to this serial number chart. These are most likely mid to late 1960s instruments.
3) Most (if not all) Buescher trumpets that have the 'ELK' logo have a separate serial number listing. The Valve Block on these instruments are made by Elkhart and thus have a completely different numbering system.
Any Trumpet or Cornet with the engraving of an ELK (see below) will NOT match up on the Buescher Serial number list. They also bear the inscription 'BUILT BY BUESCHER'. These instruments had their OWN serial numbering system. Most were made post World War II possibly up to 1960. If you see one of these horns and the owner is claiming they are from the 1920s or 1930s or before, then they are using the wrong serial number chart. I do not know if an Elkhart Serial number list exists or not.
F Besson Trumpet Serial Numbers
Big Thanks to Dr Rick's Vinllage Flute and Sax Shop website for providing some of the serial numbers and years produced.
I also gathered information for this page from MusicTrader.com website that cites Albert Mensinga as the source for MANY of the serial numbers.
If you happen to have any additional information that would make this chart MORE accurate, please feel free to email me.
Kanstul Besson Trumpet Serial Numbers
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