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Schiller American Heritage 4-Valve BBb Piston Tuba
Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 11:28 pm
by LoTone
It is known that Schiller makes a good Hisbrunner 192 copy and a good Miraphone 186 copy.
How about the Schiller American Heritage 4-Valve BBb Piston Tuba?
http://www.schillerinstruments.com/prod ... lve_piston
Anyone bought one of those?
Any idea which name brand instrument this one is copying?
Re: Schiller American Heritage 4-Valve BBb Piston Tuba
Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 1:57 pm
by LoTone
Looks like nobody ever dared buying one of those.
I have found that M&M has a strikingly similar model; the MM TU-520.
http://www.tubamm.com/site/prods-tubes.htm
Anyone bought one of those?
Re: Schiller American Heritage 4-Valve BBb Piston Tuba
Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 5:46 pm
by MartyNeilan
The "Schillbrunner" and "Schillaphone" are modeled after 4/4 tubas. By all specs, this appears to definitely be a 3/4 tuba (and at .629" a very small bore horn at that, most likely geared towards beginners and middle school students).
Most 3/4 tubas that are geared towards pros / serious amateurs are usually in the .689"-.709" range, with the Conn 5J at standout at .658".
Re: Schiller American Heritage 4-Valve BBb Piston Tuba
Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 5:54 pm
by Dan Schultz
Friends... 'Schiller' doesn't make anything. That's a stencil brand on the same Asian tubas that can be purchased from any number of sources. The most important thing to consider here is dealer support. Buy whatever makes you feel good.
Re: Schiller American Heritage 4-Valve BBb Piston Tuba
Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 2:13 pm
by jmerring
Deleted
Re: Schiller American Heritage 4-Valve BBb Piston Tuba
Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 2:21 pm
by MartyNeilan
MartyNeilan wrote:The "Schillbrunner" and "Schillaphone" are modeled after 4/4 tubas. By all specs, this appears to definitely be a 3/4 tuba (and at .629" a very small bore horn at that, most likely geared towards beginners and middle school students).
Most 3/4 tubas that are geared towards pros / serious amateurs are usually in the .689"-.709" range, with the Conn 5J at standout at .658".
jmerring wrote:.787 Bore - 3/4 horns don't have bores this big; do they?
17 3/4" bell
36 inches tall
Direct from Troy Laabs
The specs I posted are for the Piston tuba inquired about by LoTone, as pictured below and also the MM TU-520. There is no way the horn pictured below, if that is in fact the instrument being discussed, has the larger specs suggested. I believe the specs you received are for the "Schillbrunner" or a similar horn; .787 piston horns are also very rare. I would hate for him to buy this horn thinking it is actually much bigger than it is.

I have only played the 5 valve CC. It is a good horn, gets compliments, and makes me (some) money. I have not played the much smaller piston horn discussed in this thread.
Re: Schiller American Heritage 4-Valve BBb Piston Tuba
Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 2:32 pm
by jmerring
deleted
Re: Schiller American Heritage 4-Valve BBb Piston Tuba
Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 2:37 pm
by MartyNeilan
jmerring wrote:Marty,
I just did an online, side-by-side comparison of the HB (rotary) and the Schiller (rotary). The specs given to me were indeed for the rotary and compare almost exactly the same. If it holds up, the Schiller is .787, vs HB at .767.
All good, but what we are talking about here is a small piston tuba. The original poster is specifically not looking for info on either the Hirsbrunner copy or the Mirafone 186 copy. No need continuing to supply the right answer to the wrong question.
Re: Schiller American Heritage 4-Valve BBb Piston Tuba
Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 3:42 pm
by jmerring
I hereby withdraw any and all future comments. I usually am talking out of my butt. I have been oblivious to the obvious specs and information in others' posts. Please excuse me for taking up valuable space.
Re: Schiller American Heritage 4-Valve BBb Piston Tuba
Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 3:57 pm
by MartyNeilan
jmerring wrote:I hereby withdraw any and all future comments. I usually am talking out of my butt. I have been oblivious to the obvious specs and information in others' posts. Please excuse me for taking up valuable space.
It's all good, just the right answers for a different horn. Plenty of people post answers here that aren't right for ANY horn, so you are a few steps ahead of the game

Re: Schiller American Heritage 4-Valve BBb Piston Tuba
Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 5:42 pm
by LoTone
The thread is picking up steam; at last!
I am interested in a 3/4 Tuba. Actually, the more I do research the more I am intrigued by either a small CC or an EEb. I am looking for a horn to play solo parts for my own personal enjoyment. I am also thinking about joining a community concert band. I have played in concert bands before with an Eb tuba and that was just fine.
In essence, that Schiller horn does fit my preferences nicely for a smaller, front-action, 4 piston valves tuba.
Thanks for the info gentlemen.
Re: Schiller American Heritage 4-Valve BBb Piston Tuba
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 5:33 pm
by LoTone
I contacted M&M and they confirmed that this is a 3/4 tuba. The Bell is 380mm , the bore is 16mm, 36" high and weighing in at about 22 lbs.
They mention that they sell those to Middle/High Schools or musicians that need a lightweight instrument for small jazz ensemble, quintet or smaller orchestras.