I stumbled onto the following trumpet for sale:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/KANSTUL-built-Sarade-Intermediate-Trumpet-Great-shape/352622612311

The horn struck my curiosity and I learned it was manufactured for Walter "Walt" Sarad by Kanstul. Sarad was a businessman and musician born in 1919. After returning from service in WWII (the Big One), he attended The Juilliard School. He eventually worked for Excelsior Accordion Co. as a factory representative and Vincent Bach as an engineer. In 1956, he patented an adjustable mouthpiece for brass instruments:

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/2758497.pdf

The mouthpieces were sold through at least 1965 and can still be found on the resale market. Sarad was good friends with Renold Schilke and Charles Magnante. Most of his life was spent in the business world and in 2002 he ordered the trumpets bearing his name from Kanstul. Walt Sarad passed away in 2008.

I inquired with a few professional trumpet players as to what the value of the trumpet might be and it seems the Sarad branding has decreased the interest and value of a trumpet that would otherwise be a fine Kanstul horn. Nonetheless, I found the history interesting.

@ROWUK Generally, when people consider off-brand trumpets, it's to save some money and/or stay within budget. Therefore, off-brand would be one that's not considered mainstream and requires significant investment. My hope is that your post isn't to dispirit an otherwise healthy conversation.

@Dr-GO They can have your daughters, but not your instruments. Spoken like a true musician.

@barliman2001 said in Fun hooter for "those" gigs...:

orchestra nor wind band nor big band

You can't use it in an orchestra, wind band or big band because you're not correctly playing it. The drunken vulture means that it should be played while toasted. It'll sound remarkable!

Unfortunately, only Mark, Charles and Carrie are left and they're winding down administrative affairs and depleting inventory. The company doesn't seem to be continuing.

My understanding is that the financial woes began while Zig was still alive and were worsened by poor decisions after his death. Having been born and raised in Los Angeles, the end of the Olds, Benge, Kanstul lineage genuinely saddens me.

I believe when asked for advice and/or suggestions, the person to whom the inquiry is being made, should act responsibly by asking the budget for the purchase.
I'm aware of instances in which the potential purchaser couldn't afford the recommended instrument and was too embarrassed to mention it. I even know of an instance in which someone stated that if X amount of money isn't spent, a trumpet shouldn't be purchased.
There are trumpets for all budgets. Of course, quality and performance improve as the price increases and it should be noted. Ultimately, it's about encouraging new players and guiding them towards the best purchase within their means.

Not too long ago, I purchased a new Allora ATR-250 in silver for my nephew. It was a bit of a roll of the dice, but it's working great and he's enjoying it, which is what's ultimately important.

Of course, it's not a Bach or Yamaha, but it sorta shows that not all off-brands are necessarily bad products. I'm wondering who else has had an experience with an off-brand that turned out be surprisingly pleasant?

@ROWUK said in Best Off-brand Trumpets:

Let us take "best" out and replace it with high value/low price.

Alright, what do you consider the highest value trumpet with the lowest price?

@Dr-GO said in Best Off-brand Trumpets:

Should any of you relish the opportunity to come visit and purchase a Schlub horn in person, please drop me a line, as the manufacture has moved into the Dayton area. Always looking for an opportunity to meet more TB members.

I see what you did there... mustard and relish.

@barliman2001 said in Fun hooter for "those" gigs...:

orchestra nor wind band nor big band

You can't use it in an orchestra, wind band or big band because you're not correctly playing it. The drunken vulture means that it should be played while toasted. It'll sound remarkable!

@barliman2001 said in Lockie Trumpet:

@l-a-horn In this case, they did not sponsor the dances but the band - those are big band music stands.

Yes, but the sponsorship signs could simply be attached to the music stands or they could have sponsored both the band and the dance.

@barliman2001 Thank you.

@administrator said in Lockie Trumpet:

Is this what you're looking for?

https://reverb.com/item/484616-vintage-new-wonder-trumpet-olds-copy-built-by-lockie

It turned out that the trumpet isn't even stamped Lockie.

@administrator said in Lockie Trumpet:

I have never heard of that brand.

Lockie Music Exchange was a Los Angeles musical instruments store which opened in the 1920's.
In the early 1940's, Novak Musical Instrument was formed to produce in-house brands Lockie and Nova instruments, in a shop located above the music store. The difference between the two lines of trumpets is unknown, but they appear to have coexisted through at least the 1950's.

Lockie Music Exchange on South Broadway in Los Angeles.

Lockie Music Exchange sponsored musicians.

The store also sponsored local dances.

There was an additional Lockie Music Exchange location in San Bernardino, CA through the 1960's and it was during this time that Leisure Time Industries purchased Lockie Music Exchange and Novak Musical Instrument.
In 1970, Leisure Time Industries purchased the Benge Company and began manufacturing these instruments in the same shop as Novak Musical Instrument.
Zigmant Kanstul left F.E. Olds & Son in 1972 to begin working for Leisure Time Industries. While multiple individuals have noted similarities between Lockie, Nova and Olds trumpets, Zig apparently stated that the former were not stencils of the latter. Later the same year, the Benge Company was sold and Zig went with it.
In 1973, Lockie Music Exchange closed and 'Howard M Lockie Music-Sales & Repair' opened in Sun Valley, CA.
The last year found for Leisure Time Industries is 1977.

The information has been collected from multiple sources. Please share any additional documented history.

I'm curious if someone might have a Lockie trumpet or knows where I may find one? I realize they're low-valued horns, but I would like one nonetheless.

Thank you.

@kehaulani said in BAC Benge price?:

Does anybody know the price of a new BAC Benge?

I don't like BAC's hidden price policy where I have to give them a bunch of personal info that they can use to spam me with, before they give me the price. Thanks,

As an aside, has anyone played one of these?

I realize it's an old thread, but did you find the price of the BAC Benge?

Thank you.

I appreciate the responses and I'm relieved they're nothing of value.

I don't understand the reason the page displayed an error for some people.

Are the items worth saving? I would hate to see them tossed out if they have value.

https://offerup.com/item/detail/610907646/

This is a wonderful example: