Schilke B1 for everything....?

[trumpet-matz]

Hi everybody,
I think about buying a Schilke B1. I have played different Strads, a Callichio 1s2, A Kanstul ZKT 1600 and the Yamaha LA (Bergeron). I am looking for an all-around horn, that I can use for any kind of music, from Brass Quintett to Musical to Big Band. I didn't play Schilkes before, but I've heard so many fantastic reviews from Schilke Players. Do you think the B1 is Schilkes best Allround choice?
Thank you for your posts!

[gbdeamer]

Great thread. I'm also looking for ONE horn, and the Schilke B1 is on the top of my list...

[Brad361]

I have a B1. I think it is a good all around choice, but the sound and feel, to me, is a bit broader and slightly darker than the B5 (which I used for years). You might check out a B5 and S32 as well, but I think you really cannot go wrong with most any Schilke.
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[trpthrld]

Try a Kanstul 1601 before buying. It's the most versatile trumpet I've ever played, and I played a B-1 for years.
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[pfeifela]

I've owned a B1, B5 and B6. All were great. I think the B1 and B5 are the best of Schilke's lineup for all around applications and either would serve you very well. They do have slightly different feels and sounds, and most everyone that plays them both has a preference. If possible play them both. Then enjoy your choice because you'll have one of the best horns on the planet.
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[yodafan]

My favorite all around Bb's are Schilke B6, Kanstul 1601, Bach 37 and Holton 307.

[B_Starry]

I've had the same Schilkes as pfeifela listed ... started with the B6, went to the B1, then the B5, and now the B7. I personally believe the B1 plays/feels/blows larger than any of the other horns you've mentioned (ref original post). They are fantastic instruments. You will not find a better made horn, in my opinion. I'd pick the B5 as the best all-around horn, and those 'copper bell' models sound great!
have fun in your quest
- Brian
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[crzytptman]

You owe it to yourself to try a Oakes Celebration. It is extremely versatile with various mpcs and the various tuning crooks. Fantastic Kanstul build quality and Flip's incredible adjustments before the horn goes out.
That being said, I played a Schilke B5L for about 15 yrs. Halfway through that, I got a large bell and tuning crook w/o valve for it. That was a fantastic playing and sounding horn. Very in tune.
I also like Tim's horn . . .
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[Ed Kennedy]

I have to second Crazy Nate. The Celebration is great and extremely versatile. I had a very good B5 a few years ago but I felt restricted by it and went to a Kanstul 1503 to a vintage Getzen Severinson and then to the Celebration, which, for me, is a combination of the best qualities of all the others.

[sunburstbasser]

Schilke's S series may be a better fit for legit playing (ie. Bachish).

I tried an X3 out a while back that I really liked too. Didn't get the chance to play it with a group though. On its own it sounded like it would work for any situation.
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[jadickson83]

The B1 is a good horn for many settings, mostly jazz I think, but be aware that it does not sound like a Bach 37 at all. I played one for about a year in college and found that it was a very enjoyable horn to play, but did not have the "core" sound that is typically required in a classical setting (basically, the Bach 37 sound).

Order your B1 from Dillons or WWBW so you can play it for a trial period. Then, if you don't like it, you've only lost a few $$ in shipping charges.

May I suggest the Conn Vintage One as another horn to consider as an all-rounder as well?

[Tom LeCompte]

These threads always turn into "I play a XXX and you should too."

I own a B1 - actually, a B1Lb - and I thought it might be valuable to describe when I don't play it. One is in tight quarters with lots of mute changes: it's a pretty delicate instrument, and I feel that is asking for trouble. Another is when I am in a section of Bachs: if we're going for that bold and brassy "Bach sound", why struggle pushing the Schilke in that direction. Might as well bring the Bach. Finally, I don't really like it in the lower parts. I feel the Bach has a little more substance to the sound down there, and that the Schilke sound is a bit more at risk at getting lost.

That's not to say the Schilke doesn't work in these situations. It's just that it wouldn't be my first choice.

[Mark Bradley]

I'm a Schilke fan, but I recently got a B1 in a trade (gold plated no less) and didn't care for it at all. Play before you buy.

[pfeifela]

[Tpt_Guy]

[Jerry]

[puukka]

I also prefered the X3 over the B1. I tried four B1s during the last two years, but I didn´t like the playing feel. In the lower and middle range they feel open, going up it felt somehow tight. The X3 feels the same whole range.

A Bach Strad 37 and a B1 would be two different pair of shoes.
The regular weighted horns offer that core in the sound, the lightweights lack.

In my point of view a regular weighted horn would be more of an allrounder, the bright and broader sounding lightweights are great for Jazz and Big Band.

Herbert
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[redface]

I have a B1L in gold plate. It is great. However, it can feel really big and I personally find it hard really getting it to sing above high C. The sound is great, but it never gets really edgy enough for lead stuff. Also, on my last full time gig me and the 1st player swapped horns for a show (his was the Yamaha Bergeron). The Schilke notably gets to a point where it doesn't really get any louder, while the Bergeron would really light up. It is impeccably in tune though.

I'm looking at getting a Bergeron, or 8310Z. I know guys who use the Shew horn in classical/orchestra settings, and they both are of similar design, so I think that could be the horn.
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[trumpetquest]

The B1 gets my vote for one of the most versatile horns available. I have a B1L and aside from its ability to be a tonal chameleon based on slight changes in mouthpieces, it is exceptionally easy to play in-tune. I have owned quite a few instruments including a number that were custom made. As far as intonation and a diverse pallet of colors, the B1 is hard to beat. As a matter of fact, I recently sold much of my horn collection so that I could re-focus on fundamentals (and stop the incessant equipment distraction). Part of this exercise was to pick a middle-of-the-road horn with great playing characteristics (should be easy huh?). I didn't want a dark horn...or a bright one. I wanted one that would let me have both.

Sure, the B1 doesn't quite sound like a Bach, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. If more "core" is needed, try it with a couple different mouthpieces. I am currently trying a wedge mouthpiece (1.5B/7) with it...talk about a SLAM DUNK!

The three most important criteria I used to narrow the field were (not necessarily in this order):

1. Efficiency. All too often, I used the size of the air column to dictate sound quality. This led to regularly choosing instruments that simply took more air then I could legitimately control. The new objective was to find a horn with the most moderate bore size that would still allow a sweet, singing tone, but also not hinder endurance or control.

2. Diversity. I typically picked instruments with a specific sound in mind rather then finding one that would be as versatile as possible. This led to relying on specific equipment to realize an objective rather than learning how to control timbre and tone myself. Sure, the old way led to having a nice horn collection, but one that also keep me questioning if I had the "right" horn for the job. My new philosophy: Find the one horn you can call your "friend" (one that can satisfy 80%-90% of your playing), and learn to make it sing in any playing situation.

3. Intonation. Pick a horn that easily locks into pitch. Sure, you want to be able to bend notes, but you shouldn't have to do it to find the center of each note. Many of my custom horns had a WONDERFULLY rich sound quality, but it was a struggle to keep them in tune. If you have to fight it, it's the wrong horn.

Well, that's what led me to the Schilke B1. For others, it will a Bach 37 or possibly a Monette. Find the one that will let you be yourself with the least amount of extra work.

[puukka]

As far as I´ve tested the fixed and tuning bell versions the B1L might really be a different horn.
As example the B6 felt bit tight for me, the B6L was fine.
Herbert
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