Schiller Frankfurt trumpet

[rhatheway]

In one of the local pawn shops I came across a Schiller Frankfurt trumpet. I've never heard of that brand before. Their website (https://www.schillerinstruments.com/about-us/) says the company is from Germany, established in the late 1800s. However, I've never heard of this brand at all, and looking across TH forums there seems to be a general concensus that this is a Chinese knock off. But others say it's a decent horn.

I'm not looking to buy it, just trying to learn more about brands I've never heard of before. Sooo..., curious minds want to know, is Schiller really a horn worth $2600 (marked down to $596 on their website ) or is it really just a POS?
_________________
Richard H
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Working on getting my chops back...

“Without music, life would be a mistake” ― Friedrich Nietzsche

1958 Conn Director 14A
1968 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1977 Reynolds Medalist CR-58

[LittleRusty]

[spitvalve]

According to the all-knowing internet, Schiller instruments are designed in Germany but manufactured in Shanghai, China.
_________________
Bryan Fields
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1991 Bach LR180 ML 37S
1999 Getzen Eterna 700S
1977 Getzen Eterna 895S Flugelhorn
1969 Getzen Capri cornet
1995 UMI Benge 4PSP piccolo trumpet
Warburton and Stomvi Flex mouthpieces

[Denny Schreffler]

I've stepped up to defend Schiller/Jim Laabs before. TH consensus or not, of course it's built in China.

"Designed in Germany/USA/etc" but built in (__________) ◄ fill in that blank, is something that we should be wise to after more than a few decades of it. Of course it's meant to mislead, if not deceive, but that's the way things are. If you ask Laabs where the horn is manufactured, they will tell you the truth. Same thing for an inflated MSRP. The "reduced to" price is "the real price," and Jim Laabs will negotiate on some instruments, so the out-the-door price might be a bit lower than advertised.

Of the four or five different Schiller B-flat, mezzo-soprano instruments that I've played since 2016, each played exceptionally well and had pro-build feel and finish.

Not a bad idea to carry a mpc with you if you think that you might run into a horn for sale, which might be anytime. If it plays well enough that you think that you might regret not getting it, pawn shops will negotiate — they're usually better at it than we are. Be willing to walk away if you don't think that it's worth it.

To address the OP's main point ►trying to learn more about brands I've never heard of before◄, Schiller gets a very bad rap from players and posers who have never played one (or a good one), so don't buy one thinking that you'll be able to sell it for a profit (or even a wash), but if it's a player, don't hesitate.

—Denny

[LittleRusty]

[Denny Schreffler]

[rhatheway]

[jondrowjf@gmail.com]

Don't buy a Schiller musical instrument. I bought a Schiller professional cornet. Both braces had to be resoldered and numerous seams.
They look pretty, but not any amount is worth buying one.
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Current cornets and mouthpieces:
Jupiter 520 M shepherds crook cornet
Blessing Scholastic cornet (waiting on delivery)
Denis Wick 4 W classic gold short shank
Jupiter 9e (5 C) short shank mouthpiece
Getzen 4 b short shank mouthpiece

[huntman10]

I got a Shiller C trumpet on eBay that looked new, but didn't have the 1st piston, and needed 2 top caps, 3 bottom caps, 2 finger buttons, and springs, valve guides and felts. I have tried any number of Chinese parts and nothing will fit. I called the Shiller number and Laabs number, sent emails, left messages, and was very politely and warmly blown off. Sounded real friendly, talked to Mr. Laab, never followed up or returned my contacts.

I certainly am not impressed.
_________________
huntman10
Collector/Player of Fine (and not so fine) Brass Instruments including
Various Strads, Yammies, Al Hirt Courtois, Schilkes,
Selmer 25, Getzen Eternas, Kanstuls (920 Pic, CG)
Martin Custom Large Bore, Lots Olds!, Conns, etc.

[Crazy Finn]

Jim Laabs isn't quite local to me, but it's regional.

I sometimes saw kids show up with Schiller instruments for their band appointments. I was not impressed. They were not well made and often had pieces snap off. The materials were not of high quality, nor was the construction.

These were theoretically priced very reasonably, but frankly, still priced too high.

Basically at the Cecilio or Mendini level, in my opinion. $150-200 horns priced at $400-500.

The allusions to Germany and design and "Frankfurt" are not worth considering.

If you want to roll the dice on overpriced Chinese specials, go for it - just be aware what you're signing up for.
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LA Benge 3X Bb Trumpet
Selmer Radial Bb Trumpet
Yamaha 6335S Bb Trumpet
Besson 709 Bb Trumpet
Bach 184L Bb Cornet
Yamaha 731 Bb Flugelhorn

[rhatheway]

Interesting, from doing more research online and reading more reviews here on TH, I've come to the conclusion that while Schiller/Jim Laabs may have dealt fairly with one person here, all the rest of you seem to have had a much different experience.

Since numbers don't lie, the overwhelming evidence indicates that this is probably NOT a good quality horn, so I'm not even going to waste any time trying it, even for fun (even though I could probably pick it up for $100 or so).

Thanks to all who've provided your feedback.
_________________
Richard H
------------------------------------------
Working on getting my chops back...

“Without music, life would be a mistake” ― Friedrich Nietzsche

1958 Conn Director 14A
1968 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1977 Reynolds Medalist CR-58

[spitvalve]

If I ever buy one it would be to make a lamp out of it.
_________________
Bryan Fields
----------------
1991 Bach LR180 ML 37S
1999 Getzen Eterna 700S
1977 Getzen Eterna 895S Flugelhorn
1969 Getzen Capri cornet
1995 UMI Benge 4PSP piccolo trumpet
Warburton and Stomvi Flex mouthpieces

[rhatheway]