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In this series I’ve focused on my ca. 1948 Kruspe, but I have also been able to spend some time with another, older Kruspe Horner model.
This example is from I would guess around WWI. One of the most visible differences is It has the “upside down” thumb valve. The only mainstream double horn made today with a thumb valve with the action on top is the Alexander 103 (and copies of the design). One thing nice about the design compared to my Kruspe is it takes a standard horn valve spring (I had to modify a tuba spring for my Kruspe). On the other and, you get the feeling that players then did not use the thumb valve as much? The action is not as facile as you would expect.
The horn itself is in beautiful shape, it has rebuilt valves and “only” two patches. Hand hammered bell and nickel silver slide tubes. Many details are different between the horns. Compared to my post-war Kruspe double, mine plays circles around the older one.
A really big bell
The old one has a HUGE bell throat, the largest I have ever seen on any horn, makes my Paxman 25A seem much more reasonable. The photos below show the comparison of how far a mute fits in both horns, with the end of the mute just barely visible on the big, old Kruspe.
A notable thumb valve
Finally, more close ups of the thumb valve area. The postwar horn has a larger (“full size”) thumb valve, but the older one has a smaller diameter valve, like one like on a Conn 8D.
Postwar comparison
Finally, the same view of the 1948 horn. Many details differ, as to be expected by horns built probably 30+ years apart.
This series is probably not over but will be on hiatus for a little while! But be watching for a Geyer Dreaming series soon.
Return to the beginning of Kruspe Dreaming Series
