BAC and my Kanstul Contra Slide
Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2020 11:03 pm
Good Evening Everybody, I hope this finds everyone doing well. I wanted to share a recent “Win” that has significantly impacted my Contra playing.
About a year ago, my friend Graham Middleton looked at both of my Kanstul Contra Slides and advised me of the low compression he was noticing with them. The only solution would be to get new outer tubes re-drawn and to have the slides completely re-built. At the time, we couldn’t find a solution.
Fast forward to this Spring, I reached out to B.A.C. Musical Instruments "Best American Craftsmen"about taking a look at my Kanstul Slides. Since they purchased a lot of the assets from Kanstul after the shut down, I thought this would be a possible avenue of help.
I got paired up with Kevin Stiles to help me through this. After receiving my slide, he measured the compression level at 40%. Yes, 40%. I have been playing on a slide that has basically resulted in me fighting the instrument for the last 5 years.
Kevin kept me updated throughout the whole process, as this was an out fo the box type of project for them. As they said during our intitial conversations “We love a challenge at BAC.” They definitely took this one on and looked at all options to help me.
Well, the slide was re-built with new lighter, outer tubes with a compression level between 65-70%. I received it a couple of weeks ago.
This has been an absolute game changer. From initial starting of the note, to the partials in the staff, above the staff, intonation, finishing notes, phrasing, everything! I feel I am making music with the instrument and not fighting it so much anymore. And yes, I am going to get my other slide done as well.
BAC certainly lived up to their name in how this was handled. I would highly recommend them to everyone on this forum that might be having challenges with their instrument. I am certainly grateful with what Kevin and BAC did for me.
About a year ago, my friend Graham Middleton looked at both of my Kanstul Contra Slides and advised me of the low compression he was noticing with them. The only solution would be to get new outer tubes re-drawn and to have the slides completely re-built. At the time, we couldn’t find a solution.
Fast forward to this Spring, I reached out to B.A.C. Musical Instruments "Best American Craftsmen"about taking a look at my Kanstul Slides. Since they purchased a lot of the assets from Kanstul after the shut down, I thought this would be a possible avenue of help.
I got paired up with Kevin Stiles to help me through this. After receiving my slide, he measured the compression level at 40%. Yes, 40%. I have been playing on a slide that has basically resulted in me fighting the instrument for the last 5 years.
Kevin kept me updated throughout the whole process, as this was an out fo the box type of project for them. As they said during our intitial conversations “We love a challenge at BAC.” They definitely took this one on and looked at all options to help me.
Well, the slide was re-built with new lighter, outer tubes with a compression level between 65-70%. I received it a couple of weeks ago.
This has been an absolute game changer. From initial starting of the note, to the partials in the staff, above the staff, intonation, finishing notes, phrasing, everything! I feel I am making music with the instrument and not fighting it so much anymore. And yes, I am going to get my other slide done as well.
BAC certainly lived up to their name in how this was handled. I would highly recommend them to everyone on this forum that might be having challenges with their instrument. I am certainly grateful with what Kevin and BAC did for me.