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Schilke HC2 cheaper alternative


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Sly
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 18, 2022 6:37 pm    Post subject: Schilke HC2 cheaper alternative Reply with quote

Hi, I am looking to buy a decent trumpet and from what I have seen/read over the last few months it would seem a Schilke HC2 would be worth trying. Obv I will be looking to have a blow on whatever I buy first to make sure I like it.
However, although I could purchase an HC2 I would rather spend approx. half that amount. The trouble is I dont see anything that is similar in that price range from a company I would trust.
This may just be unfamiliarity with the range of manufacturers on my part. I dont expect to get a half price Schilke quality, but if someone could recommend some models to check out then I would be grateful.
Or do I just stump up the extra $$.
Thanks!
Chris
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shofarguy
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 18, 2022 8:44 pm    Post subject: Re: Schilke HC2 cheaper alternative Reply with quote

Sly wrote:
Hi, I am looking to buy a decent trumpet and from what I have seen/read over the last few months it would seem a Schilke HC2 would be worth trying. Obv I will be looking to have a blow on whatever I buy first to make sure I like it.
However, although I could purchase an HC2 I would rather spend approx. half that amount. The trouble is I dont see anything that is similar in that price range from a company I would trust.
This may just be unfamiliarity with the range of manufacturers on my part. I dont expect to get a half price Schilke quality, but if someone could recommend some models to check out then I would be grateful.
Or do I just stump up the extra $$.
Thanks!
Chris


The HC2 is a really good trumpet and one of my favorites. I've owned a Schilke horn in the past and wouldn't hesitate to buy another. Spend the money on what you want. You may pay more than for something else, but if you end up not liking the "bargain" then your money is wasted. That really isn't a bargain then, is it.
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HaveTrumpetWillTravel
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 18, 2022 11:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I don't know much about the HC2. It seems to be a large bore (polybore?) but lightweight instrument that's maybe a version of the committee--is that right? It has a copper bell? I'm curious what makes it desirable.
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Dayton
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 19, 2022 12:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The HC 2 has a similar design to a Martin Committee with the #3 bore, with a copper bell. I'm not aware of anything else like it on the market.

There are other horns based on the Committee, such as the Adams A9 and The Martin Committee Trumpet being made by BAC, but they are in a similar price range and lack the copper bell.

CarolBrass also makes a horn "inspired" by the Committee, which I think is the CTR-7065L-RLM. I haven't played it, but it is closer to the price range you prefer, though it doesn't have a copper bell either.

Roy Lawler made a C7 model based on the Committee. Terrific horn. You can occasionally find them used for under $2,000.

I'd suggest that you find and play the Schilke. If it is exactly what you are looking for then it is money well spent. You might even be able to find one used. If not, you have lots of options. Good luck!
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kehaulani
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 19, 2022 7:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Unless the OP is experienced, he may be going for the Schilke because of its reputation rather than its characteristics. If you're looking for a HC2 clone at half the price, good luck.

I would suggest an alternate way of looking by answering:
what price range?
what style?
what level?
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Tom LeCompte
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 19, 2022 10:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

kehaulani wrote:
Unless the OP is experienced, he may be going for the Schilke because of its reputation rather than its characteristics.


Well, if one is going to do that, one could do a lot worse than Schilke.

If a Schilke-style and Schilke-quality instrument were available at half the price, who would buy a Schilke? What would be the point?

As it is today, Schilkes are bargains - MSRP is within a few percentage points of Bach. (Granted, MSRP doesn't mean all that much)
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LittleRusty
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 19, 2022 11:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I didn’t comment because it is obvious, but wouldn’t finding a used one help lower the purchase price.

Yes, it might be hard to try before buying, but given schilke’s reputation it should be possible to sell it forward with little financial loss if it isn’t the one for OP.
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JayKosta
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 19, 2022 12:24 pm    Post subject: Re: Schilke HC2 cheaper alternative Reply with quote

Sly wrote:
Hi, I am looking to buy a decent trumpet and from what I have seen/read over the last few months it would seem a Schilke HC2 would be worth trying. ...

------------------------------------
It's difficult to determine how much 'trumpet playing experience' you have, and the reasons you find the HC2 appealing. Sure the HC2 is a high quality pro instrument, but it seems to be built to satisfy a particular niche market - as opposed to a good pro instrument that is more 'all purpose'.

It would help to know what instrument(s) you currently play, and what changes you would like in 'how it plays'.
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Sly
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 19, 2022 12:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for all the replies and advice.
To answer a few of the questions that have arisen...
I am getting back into playing after a very long break.
Currently have a cheap trumpet I bought just to have something around the house to blow, at the time of purchase I wasn't sure if I had the time to take it up again hence the cheap option.
The HC2 is at the top if my budget, but as with all instruments I try to see if I can get what I am after for a lower price if possible.
I am not looking for a broad-ranged instrument, nor am I going to be playing in a band or orchestra. I will be using it for jazz and I like the sound I have heard on YT etc demos of the HC2.
I hope that helps, and all advice gratefully received 😀
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Mike Prestage
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 19, 2022 5:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The potential to learn anything about how a horn will suit you from listening to other people playing it is so limited that IMO it's not worth trying. I'm honestly not trying to be negative here and for someone who's only just got back in to playing I don't think there'd be any harm in treating the choice of one good instrument over another as arbitrary anyway.

Mike
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Brassnose
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PostPosted: Sat Aug 20, 2022 1:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Cheaper alternative could be a more standard (cheaper) trumpet from the used market (Bach, Getzen, Yam, Carol, …) and to use a Curry TC style mouthpiece. I really like mine for those soft parts and always keep it ready.

If you don’t like either the horn or the mp you can always flip them again w/o losing money. And maybe in the meantime a HC within your budget shows up on the used market.
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HaveTrumpetWillTravel
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PostPosted: Sat Aug 20, 2022 6:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

One of these is selling locally where I am used for $2300, but heavily tarnished and hard to know the exact condition.

I think OP can find any of the individual traits in other trumpets (copper or copper alloy; lightweight; large flair; polybore/large bore), but this seems to be a particular vision. I'd probably buy something like a Carol 5000 or 7700 if you want something lightweight but professional-y to get started.

Just out of curiosity, does anyone famous play this?
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kehaulani
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PostPosted: Sat Aug 20, 2022 6:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

sly, wwbw.com and many other dealers have excellent return policies. It may cost a little more than eBay etc. but you've got a security you may want to consider.
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Andy Cooper
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PostPosted: Sat Aug 20, 2022 7:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It might be easier and cheaper to just get a cornet then use a Curry TC style mouthpiece.

A Japanese made student Yamaha long model cornet in good condition, an Olds Ambassador or Reynolds Medalist in good condition. If they worked out you could always get a professional valve alignment. These are all capable of producing a nice dark sound with some spread.

For more money, you might find a used Getzen Eterna, large bore with copper bell.
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LittleRusty
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PostPosted: Sat Aug 20, 2022 9:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Andy Cooper wrote:
It might be easier and cheaper to just get a cornet then use a Curry TC style mouthpiece.

A Japanese made student Yamaha long model cornet in good condition, an Olds Ambassador or Reynolds Medalist in good condition. If they worked out you could always get a professional valve alignment. These are all capable of producing a nice dark sound with some spread.

For more money, you might find a used Getzen Eterna, large bore with copper bell.

I am not challenging you, but I am curious what you see in the OP’s posts that leads you to recommending a cornet.

For instance if he was in England where the BBB tradition is cornets I could see it. But we don’t know his location.
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kehaulani
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PostPosted: Sat Aug 20, 2022 10:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Riffing off of that, I am assuming that the OP is looking for a horn that has the same characteristics, particularly sound, to a Committee.

I have owned three Committees, a Kanstul clone, the Schilke HC and an Adams A-9. For me, the above Getzens et al are in no way close.
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BudBix
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 21, 2022 8:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have an HC2 though it's not my daily driver. The HC2 has an extra large bore with an extra large bell. It will eat your lunch if you aren't practicing regularly. The bell throat is so wide you have to add cork to your mutes for them to fit. It's definitely a specialty horn.
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Sly
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 21, 2022 8:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks again for all the feedback and based on what you have all said I will continue to search for alternatives, maybe with a smaller bore. I will check out some of the models suggested, but yes I am after a Martin Commitee type of sound. I have since seen a Yamaha model that may be a contender, the YTR 8335 xeno although it is a .459". I realize that a pro horn is not going to magically make me a pro player, but I do aim to buy the best I can afford with all my instruments as I aim to keep them for the long term. The cheap trumpet served its purpose in getting me back into playing and taking lessons to get back up to scratch with good technique etc, but now its build quality is hindering my playing and it is time to upgrade. I will also make sure I check out the returns policy as recommended so I may try some models I cannot find locally.
I really appreciate the time taken to comment!
Cheers
Chris (a British expat in the US 😉)
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Halflip
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 21, 2022 9:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sly wrote:
I will check out some of the models suggested, but yes I am after a Martin Commit[t]ee type of sound.

Just an off-the-wall idea -- maybe try an old pro-level model that is reputed to have Committee-like characteristics. I am thinking of the Holton 48, or the Buescher 205 or 207. They are supposed to have a dark tone sort of like a Committee (I can personally vouch for the 207, since I own one). These are all from the late 40's/early 50's time frame. You could buy one used for a relatively low price and have it totally refurbished by a specialist. Even with a valve rebuild, your total investment would likely be way less than half the price of an HC2.

Another model I can vouch for would be the King Golden Flair (KMI model 1077 from the mid-70's, not the later 2065 from UMI). These were evolved from a custom horn King made for Pete Candoli by reverse engineering Candoli's Committee and then making some worthwhile enhancements. I like them so much I acquired two (again, for much less than half the price of an HC2). Unfortunately, they are very rare -- I got mine on eBay years ago, but I haven't seen any on the market for a few years now.
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Last edited by Halflip on Sat Jun 10, 2023 7:13 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Jerry
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 21, 2022 6:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sly wrote:
... but yes I am after a Martin Committee type of sound. I have since seen a Yamaha model that may be a contender, the YTR 8335 Xeno although it is a .459".

Even though the YTR 8335 Xeno is a perfectly good horn, in my experience it certainly does not have anything like a Martin Committee type of sound; it's much more like a Bach.
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