Schillbrunner....

[Keith Sanders]

Hey everyone,

So since we have heard SO much about the Schillaphone 186......how are the Tubenetters that own the Schillbrunners doing??
Still happy with everything, anything new to report?? Just curious to see how your horns are holding up........

Keith

[LoTone]

Keith,

There is already a fair amount of discussions about the Schillbrunners. Just do a search with "Schillbrunner" and you will see dozens of topics pop up.

Have fun.

[Tom]

Okay...stupid question time...

The "Schillaphone" is the 186 copy...

The "Schillbrunner" is what? The BBb? Piston?

...And the "Schilaha" (is that right?) is their Yamaha euph copy, correct?

[MartyNeilan]

From reading this board, I still get the sense that Yamaha tubas aren't viewed as positively by many as Miraphone, Meinl-Weston or even Cerveny, and that may be due to instrument quality, but it also may be due to lingering issues with "Made in Japan" horns.

In reference to views on newer Yamaha tubas, look up Yamayork.

[Tom]

From reading this board, I still get the sense that Yamaha tubas aren't viewed as positively by many as Miraphone, Meinl-Weston or even Cerveny, and that may be due to instrument quality, but it also may be due to lingering issues with "Made in Japan" horns.

In reference to views on newer Yamaha tubas, look up Yamayork.

Not only the Yamayork, but the Yamaha F tubas are held in high regard (YFB 621 and 822, as well at the special Bobo model). Many have also reported that Yamaha's top action Eb is generally a very fine instrument.

You are (in my opinion) correct that Yamaha contrabass tubas aren't viewed in a really positive light on this board, the tall, top action 321, and the rotary valved 641, in particular. I don't know if it is because most folks encounter these in a school setting where they have been beat on for years, or if Yamaha just missed the boat on the design of these (I have not played enough on either model to offer up much), but that has been my obervation.

[Keith Sanders]

Hey, I actually just wanted to know how the guys that own schillbrunners feel about their horns now, after they have had them for a while....that's all I was asking......sorry for any confusion


Keith

[bisontuba]

HI-
As stated in another thread, my CC Schiller and my Schiller Comp Euph are both excellent players--I don't care if they are made in the USA, Germany, China, or Mars--are they 'players' and at a good price--a big yes to both. The CC is holding up very nicely too.
As I have stated on another thread--Gemstone is working with Walter Nirschl on his W. Nirschl series--Walter has been in Brazil quite a bit--all his machinery/tools for the 4/4 are in Brazil----Dick Barth brought the BBb horn here to Don to show--we all played it--4 piston, .750 bore, 19" bell--amazing!--the CC will be the same thing--as we are told, an 'aggressive dealer' will sell, with hard case, the BBb and/or CC discounted-in lacquer-4 valve for under $4000! In silver, add $500 add'l--for the CC, if a 5th valve is wanted, add an add'l $500---so for 2010, an 'American' style piston horn in CC-19 inch bell, 4/4 or 5/4 size --whatever you call it, with MTS hard case, .750 bore, in silver will be able to be purchased---for under $5000 from an 'aggressive' dealer--a horn just like Herr Nirschl's 4/4's made in Germany--same tooling--engineering by Germans, taught by Germans, made in Brazil...stay tuned...now who cares if it is made in the USA, Germany, China, Mars, or Brazil--if it plays and you sound good, and it is a great price--need I say more....
Regards-
mark
jonestuba@juno.com" target="_blank

[LoTone]

I assume that you never had any repairs done on any of your Schillers jonesmj?

This is the only concern I have with the Schillers. If they are OK out of the box, I hear that they are great but if you need to get something fixed, well, your mileage may vary.

Some repair shops will bluntly refuse to touch them. If you live near Stevens Point, WI, I guess it becomes less of an issue.

[TUBAD83]

I assume that you never had any repairs done on any of your Schillers jonesmj?

This is the only concern I have with the Schillers. If they are OK out of the box, I hear that they are great but if you need to get something fixed, well, your mileage may vary.

Some repair shops will bluntly refuse to touch them. If you live near Stevens Point, WI, I guess it becomes less of an issue.

Some people let their bias and prejudice get in the way of doing business. There is a well known shop here in Houston that will not even look at any horn that is made in China. I had to get some minor work done on my Schillbruner (bell roll and some work on a tuning slide) some months ago--my tech was impressed with it and did not have any problems repairing it at all. Well built instrument and sounds great--well worth the investment.

JJ

[bisontuba]

Hi-
My Schiller CC is all fine--the comp euph needed a tad of lanolin on the 1st valve cap threads so it wouldn't 'clack'--I took it to my repairman and he said I did the right thing.
BTW, do you REALLY think that all Chinese instruments are bad and ALL German/Swiss/Czech instruments are flawless?? LOL...let me mention just a few horror stories of European instruments:
Remember 'Tryplin' rotors? I have seen German CC tubas where the piston ports don't match up to the tubing--like 1/4" off! Even on $20k+ horns!!! Or 6/4 German CC tubas that looked like the piston casings were honed out with an auto brake tool--completely messed up! On German rotors, I have seen the rotor marking --even though marked as being right in line-being terribly off. How about a new German horn with pitch still inside the leadpipe--sent to America this way? How about a new Swiss instrument with no water keys! Or German horns that had tubing that was obviously bent WITHOUT using rings--oblong. My all time favorite--a batch of 6 CC tubas sent over here with BBb leadpipes on them--said to be 'play tested' at the factory---can we say Aida B natural tubas...
Just because something is from Europe doesn't make it perfect--mass produced or hand made. The above are just a FEW examples of what has happened in the past few years. And likewise, Chinese instruments can BE dogs. Best thing--play horns yourself and see how they play. Good luck.
Regards-
mark
jonestuba@juno.com" target="_blank

[LoTone]

Let me clarify, I do not believe that European or American made instruments are flawless. I am just raising the issue that, in North America, there are still a fair amount of repair shops that do not want to repair them. That is something that needs to be considered prior to making a purchase. If you have a tech that is open-minded enough to fix them; it's all good. If you live in a place where the local shops do not want to fix them, well, it might be a problem.

Here in Montreal, most local shops have started selling house brands which are in fact Chinese-made instruments. The only problem is, if you show up to the shop with a Chinese-made instrument that is not the house brand, your in for an animated discussion.