Schmelzer basses? Thoughts?

Post Reply
Jbeckett
Posts: 1022
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2018 5:56 pm

Schmelzer basses? Thoughts?

Post by Jbeckett »

Looking for some feedback.
User avatar
dukesboneman
Posts: 774
Joined: Mon Apr 02, 2018 4:40 pm
Location: Sarasota, Florida
Contact:

Re: Schmelzer basses? Thoughts?

Post by dukesboneman »

Point the microphone right at the speaker, you`ll get plenty of feedback.
MStarke
Posts: 738
Joined: Tue Jan 01, 2019 4:33 pm
Location: Germany
Contact:

Re: Schmelzer basses? Thoughts?

Post by MStarke »

I have never seen a Schmelzer in real life hear in Germany, but have often been tempted to give them a try. however there is something that always kept me from doing that.

You might contact Nick Sholl on Facebook, I think he might have tried them at some point!
Markus Starke
https://www.mst-studio-mouthpieces.com/

Alto: Conn 35h, Kanstul, Weril
Tenor: 2x Conn 6h, Blessing medium, Elkhart 88H, 88HT, Greenhoe 88HT, Heckel, Piering replica
Bass: Conn 112h/62h, Greenhoe TIS, Conn 60h/"62h"
Jbeckett
Posts: 1022
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2018 5:56 pm

Re: Schmelzer basses? Thoughts?

Post by Jbeckett »

MStarke wrote: Sun Mar 16, 2025 7:13 am I have never seen a Schmelzer in real life hear in Germany, but have often been tempted to give them a try. however there is something that always kept me from doing that.

You might contact Nick Sholl on Facebook, I think he might have tried them at some point!
Thank you
Jbeckett
Posts: 1022
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2018 5:56 pm

Re: Schmelzer basses? Thoughts?

Post by Jbeckett »

dukesboneman wrote: Sun Mar 16, 2025 7:10 am Point the microphone right at the speaker, you`ll get plenty of feedback.
NICE!

Definitely looking for some thoughts regarding the instrument
WGWTR180
Posts: 1613
Joined: Wed Sep 04, 2019 2:32 pm

Re: Schmelzer basses? Thoughts?

Post by WGWTR180 »

Jbeckett wrote: Sat Mar 15, 2025 9:43 am Looking for some feedback.
You probably know that Horn Guys sells them. I too have wondered what they are like(not wanting to purchase). They are at an interesting price point compared to other "boutique" makers out there so it makes me wonder what the overall quality is.
bassbone1993
Posts: 250
Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2023 12:01 am

Re: Schmelzer basses? Thoughts?

Post by bassbone1993 »

I'd be very curious as well. They're small bores seem to be well regarded
Jbeckett
Posts: 1022
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2018 5:56 pm

Re: Schmelzer basses? Thoughts?

Post by Jbeckett »

Nick Sholl has some videos on the YouTube’s, but it’s not necessarily me, playing on my mouthpiece, and I prefer a gold brass bell when playing solo rep.
I had seen the one at HornGuys and emailed Eric about it. Curious if it mates up with an Edwards or Shires or if lead pipes are usable from other instruments.
European players seem to dig them at a high level on the Scmelzer site.
MStarke
Posts: 738
Joined: Tue Jan 01, 2019 4:33 pm
Location: Germany
Contact:

Re: Schmelzer basses? Thoughts?

Post by MStarke »

Jbeckett wrote: Sun Mar 16, 2025 9:21 am Nick Sholl has some videos on the YouTube’s, but it’s not necessarily me, playing on my mouthpiece, and I prefer a gold brass bell when playing solo rep.
I had seen the one at HornGuys and emailed Eric about it. Curious if it mates up with an Edwards or Shires or if lead pipes are usable from other instruments.
European players seem to dig them at a high level on the Scmelzer site.
Nick is a really nice guy, I am pretty sure he would share some more thoughts when you contact him directly.

Reg popularity - as said I have never seen one in real life, but yes, they seem to be played quite a bit. I am not sure which parts he actually makes himself and where the others are sourced. I have heard people say some parts are made in China, but that's not necessarily true and not necessarily bad IF it is true.
Markus Starke
https://www.mst-studio-mouthpieces.com/

Alto: Conn 35h, Kanstul, Weril
Tenor: 2x Conn 6h, Blessing medium, Elkhart 88H, 88HT, Greenhoe 88HT, Heckel, Piering replica
Bass: Conn 112h/62h, Greenhoe TIS, Conn 60h/"62h"
User avatar
pedrombon
Posts: 409
Joined: Wed Apr 11, 2018 8:36 am
Location: Granada - Spain
Contact:

Re: Schmelzer basses? Thoughts?

Post by pedrombon »

MStarke wrote: Sun Mar 16, 2025 10:21 am
Reg popularity - as said I have never seen one in real life, but yes, they seem to be played quite a bit. I am not sure which parts he actually makes himself and where the others are sourced. I have heard people say some parts are made in China, but that's not necessarily true and not necessarily bad IF it is true.

I have also heard that they are manufactured and assembled in China.
Sonas Artist
Granada Brass
Orquesta Ciudad de Almería
tkelley216
Posts: 21
Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2021 5:21 pm

Re: Schmelzer basses? Thoughts?

Post by tkelley216 »

Not many were made. I know someone who plays one professionally.

As far as sound and feel, they are similar to other the Schmelzer models that have been discussed on this forum; lightweight, very warm but centered sound, and can be pushed without breaking up. It's not exactly the sound concept you want to bring to an audition for a bigger American orchestra, but the guy I knew played it regularly in big bands, recording sessions, pit orchestras, and sometimes regional orchestras when they called.

Consistency seems to be an issue among all Schmelzers. You may have to try a room full of them to find "the one" and even "the one" may have a quirk or two you have to figure out, but once you adjust to the horn they can be hard to beat.
Jbeckett
Posts: 1022
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2018 5:56 pm

Re: Schmelzer basses? Thoughts?

Post by Jbeckett »

tkelley216 wrote: Mon Mar 17, 2025 3:21 am Not many were made. I know someone who plays one professionally.

As far as sound and feel, they are similar to other the Schmelzer models that have been discussed on this forum; lightweight, very warm but centered sound, and can be pushed without breaking up. It's not exactly the sound concept you want to bring to an audition for a bigger American orchestra, but the guy I knew played it regularly in big bands, recording sessions, pit orchestras, and sometimes regional orchestras when they called.

Consistency seems to be an issue among all Schmelzers. You may have to try a room full of them to find "the one" and even "the one" may have a quirk or two you have to figure out, but once you adjust to the horn they can be hard to beat.
Thank you
Jbeckett
Posts: 1022
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2018 5:56 pm

Re: Schmelzer basses? Thoughts?

Post by Jbeckett »

So Nick did private message me back on face space. He basically said that they’re good but not the quality of a Shires or Edwards. I guess I’ll end up buying a rotor section from Shires, to mount my existing set ups. Thanks for all the input
MStarke
Posts: 738
Joined: Tue Jan 01, 2019 4:33 pm
Location: Germany
Contact:

Re: Schmelzer basses? Thoughts?

Post by MStarke »

Thanks for sharing, that fits to what I have heard in the past.
Markus Starke
https://www.mst-studio-mouthpieces.com/

Alto: Conn 35h, Kanstul, Weril
Tenor: 2x Conn 6h, Blessing medium, Elkhart 88H, 88HT, Greenhoe 88HT, Heckel, Piering replica
Bass: Conn 112h/62h, Greenhoe TIS, Conn 60h/"62h"
WGWTR180
Posts: 1613
Joined: Wed Sep 04, 2019 2:32 pm

Re: Schmelzer basses? Thoughts?

Post by WGWTR180 »

I am curious as to how many Schmeltzer instruments Horn Guys have sold in the US along with the K&H.
Post Reply

Return to “Instruments”