Refining the sound in the heart of the California brass scene.
Before the legendary Fullerton factory, Zig Kanstul got his start in Burbank, California. This was the incubation period where his revolutionary ideas about brass instruments took shape. The Burbank workshop, though smaller than what would come later, was where Zig's reputation was built on a foundation of innovation and uncompromising quality.
It was in Burbank where Zig first began experimenting with different bell designs and valve configurations. Musicians started seeking out his instruments because they knew they could rely on the tone, the response, the reliability. Word spread through the jazz and classical music communities that there was a craftsman in California making horns that rivaled the best European makers.
During the Burbank era, Zig developed many of the proprietary techniques and designs that would define the Kanstul brand. He was obsessive about listening to prototypes, making minute adjustments, and testing again. Every design decision was made after meticulous research and experimentation. His approach combined scientific understanding with artistic intuition.
The transition from Burbank to Fullerton marked a pivotal moment in brass instrument history. Increased demand necessitated a larger facility, but Zig refused to sacrifice quality for scale. The move allowed him to expand production while maintaining the exacting standards he'd established. Every innovation from the Burbank era was carried forward, refined, and improved upon.
Today, the legacy of those Burbank experiments can be heard in instruments played by professionals around the world. The innovations born in that humble workshop continue to influence brass instrument design to this day.