G Bugle vs. Multi-keyed Brass: A Cost Comparison (Long)
Thomas Peterson
it is in the best interest of the activity. In trying to make an informed
decision based on facts and/or relevant information, I have done some
research into the comparative costs of G Bugle Brass and Multi-keyed Brass.
This is by no means a complete report on this subject. There are many
variables involved, including retail vs.sales price, discounts, quality and
other factors. But, it may provide some useful and pertinent information on
how this could effect corps pocketbooks and possibly the future of the Drum
and Bugle Corps activity.
(All instruments in this comparison are silver plated.)
The following information was obtained from the Kanstul Web Site.
http://members.aol.com/kanstulmus
KANSTUL G BUGLES 1999 Suggested Retail
Price
INSTRUMENT /ACCESSORIES BORE SILVER
Soprano w/ Case .470 $
550.00
Powerbore Soprano w/ Case .470 600.00
Alto w/ Case .470
685.00
Mellophone w/ Case .470
685.00
French Horn w/ Case .470
900.00
Baritone w/ Case .562
900.00
Bass Baritone Grande w/ Case .562 935.00
Euphonium w/ Case .593 2000.00
Contra Bass NO CASE .689 4600.00
Contra Grande NO CASE .689 5450.00
ALL BUGLES IN KEY OF G -- 3 VALVES -- NO MOUTHPIECE
Bugle prices are suggested retail and do not reflect any discounts which may
be applied. I did not include information on DEG bugles because a) I don't
have an updated price list and b) DEG's prices are known to be lower than
Kanstul's after discounts.
KANSTUL MARCHING BRASS 1999 Suggested Retail Price
INSTRUMENT/ACCESSORIES SILVER
F Alto w/ Case & Mouthpiece $ 1400.00
F Mellophone w/ Case & MP $ 1400.00
Bb French Horn w/ Case & MP $ 1770.00
Bb Baritone w/ Case & MP $ 1875.00
Bb Euphonium w/ Case & MP $ 2500.00
BBb 4/4 Marching Tuba w/ Case & MP $ 6350.00
BBb 5/4 Marching Tuba w/ Case & MP $ 7250.00
KANSTUL Bb TRUMPETS
MODEL BORE SILVER (Retail)
CHI 1000 .460 $ 1850.00 (Includes Triple Gig Bag and MP)
CHI 1001 .464 1850.00 (Includes Triple Gig Bag and MP)
KTR 700 .460 $ 870.00 (Priced w/o Case or Mouthpiece)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
The following was obtained from Giardinelli, one of the major band
instrument retailers. The following prices were effective as of 1/1/1999
(expect DEG-1998) and ,as they state, may be subject to change without
notice. Some of this info may be at their website
http://www.giardinelli.com . I believe you will find their discounted
prices comparable to (or below) other retailers.
YAMAHA MARCHING BRASS
Silver w/case. BORE RETAIL SALE
F Mellophone .462 $1600.00 $ 889.00
Bb French Horn .472 $1880.00 $1149.00
Bb Baritone .571 $2050.00 $1253.00
Bb Euphonium .571 $2475.00 $1375.00
BBb Tuba Outfit(4/4) .728 $6150.00 $3417.00
BACH MARCHING BRASS Silver w/case
F Mellophone .468 $1595.00 $ 886.00
Bb Baritone .560 $2030.00 $1241.00
(These are the only 2 marching horns made by Bach at this time.)
YAMAHA Bb TRUMPETS Silver w/case
Intermediate .459 $1367.00 $ 684.00
Professional - all Yamaha Pro models retail for $1800.00 with a sale price
at $1100.00. Bore sizes range from . 445 to .462.
BACH Bb TRUMPETS Silver w/case
Intermediate .459 $1320.00 $ 725.00
Professional - Pro models range in price from $1995.00/retail
($1275.00/sale) to $2300.00/retail ($1533.00/sale). These are basic horns
without customized options.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
The following prices are from The Woodwind & The Brasswind 1998 Catalog and
do not reflect 1999 pricing:
DEG MARCHING BRASS 1998 PRICES. Silver w/case.
F Mellophone .468 $1300.00 $
589.00
Bb French Horn .468 $1350.00 $ 629.00
Bb Baritone .560 $1675.00 $
759.00
BBb Convertible Tuba(w/case).670 $5125.00 $2299.00
There are a few other manufacturers of marching brass (Blessing, Holton,
Getzen, Jupiter). Their cost would fall somewhere in between Yamaha and DEG
after discounts.
*The marching brass listed in this comparison do not reflect quality
concerns in relation to bugles. IMO, some are better and some the same or
worse.
Sorry for the long post, but I knew some folks where asking for info
regarding this subject. I hope this helps answer some questions concerning
this matter. Personally, I feel that DCI has given DEG and Kanstul the
green light to wind down bugle production within the near future. I believe
this decision (unless rectified in some way) will eventually led to the
extinction of the multi-valved G bugle... and an important part of our
identity. All that will be left is higher priced band instruments. Sure,
many (not all) of these instruments will be of a better quality. But, how
many corps (most fighting for financial solvency) will be able to afford to
purchase these horns. Most with a cost of at least twice the amount of a
comparable bugle.
I do hate to be pessimistic about this. (I hope I am wrong!) After
remaining silent, I felt I needed to speak my peace. I will continue to
support the activity, in some form, because the participants (members and
staff) involved are some of the best people you will ever find. My greatest
fear is that this change is only the beginning of many more that will
totally mutate our unique activity. I will post more concerns at a future
date.
Thomas Peterson
"To change and to change for the better are two different things."
German Proverb
MattyQP
This is a great post.
Matty Q
Doreen Sandor Girardi
pricing issue by showing us base comparable prices for equipment . . . and
that almost without exception, Bugles listed here are less expensive than
the other, mutli-keyed equipment that groups would most likely change over
to.
Many other RAMDesr also have made excellent points to dispel the far
fetched belief that now kids could a) use their OWN horns; b) use their
school equipment for drum corps in the summer. There are a number of
problems with this belief: a) the reality that some kids may own trumpets
or cornets or mellos or French Horns, but how many own their own heavy
brass equipment. b) how many schools would really allow students to drag,
say, a BBb 5/4 Marching Tuba w/ Case & MP $ 7250.00 on tour all
summer; c) how many PARENTS would allow their children to drag their more
expensive, self-owned equipment on tour all summer? d) how many schools
over the years have allowed drummers to bring their bass or quad or snare
on tour with them . True, some bands may loan or rent out pit equipment if
one of their staff members is also on staff of a junior corps, but with
rising costs, insurance, etc., are these bands/schools the norm or the
exception?
Anyway, thanks for putting NUMBERS to the theory.
Doreen Girardi
David Fisher
smaller and newer corps benefits. Your statement is the same statement that I
have been saying from day one. Also, other have the said the same thing.
People have to wakeup to the plain fact that as long as DC exists, the corps
will have to supply the horn. $70,000+ more for Bb horns over G horns can
better use else where within the corp, than on the horns.
Doreen Sandor Girardi wrote:
--
Casper the Ghost
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
David Fisher Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Web Site http://www.globalserve.net/~dfisher
E-mail dfi...@globalserve.net
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++