*Made to order - 11 months*

The Schilke Custom Series B^b Trumpets (also known as the B & X Series) were designed by Renold O. Schilke and date back to his founding of our company. These models feature a lightweight design with minimal bracing, a round main tuning slide, and a reverse lead pipe. Custom Series trumpets are lauded for natural brilliance, or “shimmer,” to their sound, ease of playing, consistent “feel” from top to bottom of the horn, and superior intonation.

The Custom Series is often viewed as a spectrum of models. With a choice of bell taper and bore size, every musician can find the right “feel” for them. These models are designed with versatility for classical, chamber, solo, jazz, or commercial music. Custom Series B^b Trumpets have been played by the world’s great musicians for 60+ years.

For the player who requires an incredibly free “blow” in a B^b trumpet, the X4 is one of the most prominent instruments in the Schilke lineup. Characterized by its uniform sound & resonance in all registers, the X4 is the B & X Series kingpin.

Features
One-piece Yellow Brass Bell
Unsoldered Bead
#1 Bell Taper
.468″ XL Bore
Reverse Leadpipe
Round Main Tuning Slide
Lightweight Design
1st slide saddle & 3rd slide ring

*Additional Customization Options*
(Call to place a custom order)
Gold plate
Sterling Silver bell
"Beryllium" bell
Tuning bell
1st slide ring
Pinky ring
3rd slide waterkey
Amado waterkey(s)

Bell Material

All Custom Series B^b Trumpets come standard with a yellow brass bell, except the B5 and B6, which have a pure copper bell. Renold O. Schilke chose these materials to have playing characteristics that best complement each model.

Yellow brass bells are more consistent in tonal color regardless of dynamics. Copper bells offer a more progressive tonality responsive to dynamic, with a darker sound when playing pp and brighter when playing ff.

Optional “beryllium” bells are very thin, similar to our standard copper bells' playing characteristics, but with a brighter, more resonant dynamic range. These bells are terrific when looking for more “sizzle” in your sound.

Optional sterling silver bells offer a focused, dense sound. The sterling silver bells are darker in timbre in softer dynamics and brighter in louder dynamics, similar to “beryllium,” but with a more simplified overtone series. These bells “zing” when playing ff.

Tuning Bells

Detachable tuning bells are available by special order on any Custom Series B^b Trumpet. The advantage of the tuning bell feature is that the tuning slide can be left all the way in or moved only a little, thereby keeping the bore relatively free of gaps that may cause a disturbance in the nodal pattern of the sound wave. Another advantage is that different bells of varying tapers, materials, and finishes may be used to change the instrument's characteristics.

Nomenclature

The Custom Series B^b Trumpets are numbered in the order in which they were developed. The B1 was the first Schilke Bb Trumpet, followed by the B2, then the B3, etc. When the tenth model was created, it was decided that an “X” in the model number would denote the 10th model and beyond. For example, the X3 is the 13th Schilke B^b Trumpet developed in the Custom Series.

Custom Series B^b Trumpets are covered by the Schilke Limited Lifetime Warranty.