[renman43]

I have seen these on ebay from time to time, and wondered if anyone could tell me whether they are student or intermediate level horns. What is your opinion of their overall quality compared to other "vintage" horns of the 1970s or earlier. Thanks for sharing your insights.

 

[Raphyel]

They are student model horns..They have a decent sound, but as far as a classification, they are student horns.

 

[Wind_Mill]

The early ones were Keilwerth New Kings, made by Keilwerth in Germany, stenciled for Couf (Armstrong). They are identical to the King Tempo (although with the King there's apparently some overlap with an Amati-made horn.....I think.)

Later models (the Royalist II) may have used some Keilwerth parts (body etc.) but my understanding is those were more student-line, actually built by Armstrong in the US, and are not as good as the early ones.

Keilwerth used their New Kings as a stencil for many distributors in Europe. They are intermediate or better (depends on you, the player). The early Superba II Couf models were also New Kings.

A Keilwerth-made Couf will have the Keilwerth-style conical keyposts. Armstrong-made Coufs won't.

 

[bfoster64]

From my research, most people consider the early Royalists an intermediate horn. I had a tenor. Great tone, decent response, pretty good intonation. The intonation probably would have gotten better if I had taken enough time to adjust to it. I traded mine for a Dolnet bari. The current owner loves it. It's a poor man's Keilwerth. The keywork isn't great, but it's a fairly modern layout. Its best asset is its tone. Its got that big Keilwerth low end, and a nice singing quality in the palm keys.

 

[barchdan]

From my research, most people consider the early Royalists an intermediate horn. I had a tenor. Great tone, decent response, pretty good intonation. The intonation probably would have gotten better if I had taken enough time to adjust to it. I traded mine for a Dolnet bari. The current owner loves it. It's a poor man's Keilwerth. The keywork isn't great, but it's a fairly modern layout. Its best asset is its tone. Its got that big Keilwerth low end, and a nice singing quality in the palm keys.

As far as I can tell, the earlier ones were better. I have #560xx in a tenor, from 1966, and it is free blowing and the low notes are great. It has laquered keys, and (contrary to what is usually said) rolled tone holes.