Kanstul French Besson SN# 5362 Large Bore

Kanstul French Besson SN# 5362 Large Bore (.462) made by Kanstul probably for Boosey and Hawkes with the B bell. This might be the 92BB – 0.462 bore, B bell. l To confuse the issue Boosey and Hawkes changed the model numbers from 92/94 to 160/162. Apparently only the model numbers changed. The .462 bore is stamped on the valve cluster, and the bell type “B” is stamped on the bell tube where it meets the 1st valve. Probably Manufactured in 2000
This has the reverse Najoom leadpipe made by M/K drawing. This is a seriously good leadpipe and would be a $150-$250 upgrade on a Bach trumpet. These are all quite free blowing instruments, with comparatively light weight bells. According to the B&H catalog the B bell is from a modified 239 mandrel. The B bell has slightly tighter parameters and a bit more resistance than the A bell. According to the Bach loyalist the 229 bell is similar to a 43 bell, and the 239 is similar to a 65 bell (which is a dark, symphonic style bell). In other B&H literature the B bell on the French Besson Classic C corresponds to the Bach 239 bell and the A, to the 229. Go figure! In general people that have played this Model French Besson consider the A model to be somewhat similar to a Bach 72 with lightweight bell (though maybe it should be considered closer to a Bach 65, but the Bach 65 is so rare most have never played one), and the B model somewhat similar to a Bach 43 with lightweight bell. This is a very rough generalization. Only one tuning slide (“D” or square) and normal valves caps. These trumpets are real sleepers. The 92/94 models were discontinued and closed out by mail order shops at very low prices in 2005 (still a few around in some large mail order shops and some local shops).