KGU Brass Mod Kits & Boosters

bobmiller1969

Hello, Everybody!

I just wanted to give a shout out to the guys at KGU. I had picked up one of their boosters a while ago, and actually bought 2 more. FYI, they will fit most mouthpieces, even if not listed on their site. Fits my Reeves pieces perfectly.
I recently ended my most current mouthpiece safari, and had gone from Warburton to Bach (to "reset") to Monette, probably went with a Heim 2 at some point (they are magical, but just too small a diameter for me.) and finally back to Reeves (where I started.) I did, however prefer some of the mouthpieces with more mass to them, which I miss in the Reeves. These work wonderfully. Both of my trumpets are setup with almost no gap, so these also helped with centering the pitch, without the hard slotting.

I also ordered a mod kit for my Selmer Radial to replace one from Harrelson that didn't fit. I wasn't sure how they were even going to make bottom caps, since the valves are slanted and touch at the bottom. They feel great, and look quite awesome, if I don't say so myself. Turnaround time from Ukraine was just over 2 weeks, when they said it might me more than a month for a custom order. The only thing missing from this horn is a Reeves alignment and possibly Saturn water keys.

They were also very quick to respond to emails, and answered all of my questions. The only thing I didn't like, was that the pads on the top caps were glued in to the point that I needed to soak them in acetone for about an hour to get them off. They were a little "clicky", so I wanted to replace with felts until I send for the alignment.

Anyone else have a good experience with KGU? I've heard mixed reviews, so I just wanted to add 1 more positive one to the mix.

Also, I needed to show it to other trumpet players. (My wife and kids are bored to death with all of my trumpet stuff.) Thanks for reading! -Bob

administrator

@bobmiller1969
Wow, beautiful. I feel the desire to refurb my Radial now.

Dr GO

@administrator said in KGU Brass Mod Kits & Boosters:

@bobmiller1969
Wow, beautiful. I feel the desire to refurb my Radial now.

DO IT!

stumac

What changes has these mods made to the Radial in the playability and sound? I have 4 Radials, Bb, C, D and Eb which are my go to horns for Orchestra, they are great the way they are and do not want any "improvments". Regards, Stuart. (sometime Devil's Advocate)

GeorgeB

@stumac

If these kits add weight to the horn I'm guessing it darkened the sound considerably, which a lot of jazz players like, and perhaps Bob is one of them.

Dr GO

@georgeb said in KGU Brass Mod Kits & Boosters:

@stumac

If these kits add weight to the horn I'm guessing it darkened the sound considerably, which a lot of jazz players like, and perhaps Bob is one of them.

Added weight may also be good for heavy metal!

bobmiller1969

@stumac The best way to describe how I feel about my Radial, is that it's not a terribly large horn, but is designed to be very open, which I really like. I like the added stability in slotting, and just a more solid core resonance from the horn, which I believe is a combo of the bottom caps and the booster. I actually had the booster 1st, and noticed a difference. The horn simply sings better. The added weight also gives the horn a nice center of gravity in my hand.

I have a Harrelson kit on my other Selmer trumpet, and I loved the difference there as well, as it's a lightweight horn. -Bob

bobmiller1969

@georgeb I am one of "them".

stumac

Thanks Bob, I have not had much experience with heavy caps, my Eclipse and Selmer Concept TT both came with light and heavy caps, on the Eclipse they did nothing, the Selmer dampened the higher harmonics to the extent it felt dull to me. I have a Taylor Magnum Max at 4lbs a very heavy horn that came with a Harrelson kit, fitting the original caps and buttons the response and sound is more to my liking. The best after market device I have found is Ivan's (Trumpetplus) "Resonance Enhancers" . I have fitted them to my Radials and my iteration of them to my other trumpets, in every case they have made a significant improvement. Regards, Stuart.

bobmiller1969

@stumac What material are his "resonators" made from? How do they attach to the horn? Just curious. -Bob

stumac

@bobmiller1969 They are made from plastic, I believe 3D printed, They fit between the valve casing and can be moved up or down to find the best position that gives the best effect, I find that at the top just under the caps for me. Ivan's website may have more information. www,jaegerbrass.com Regards, Stuart.