Schilke HC1 Handcraft Bb Trumpet | Anderson Double Gold Plate | Ex-Trent Austin Collection

Schilke HC1 Handcraft Bb Trumpet | Anderson Double Gold Plate | Ex-Trent Austin Collection

DESCRIPTION

Up for sale is a Schilke HC1 Handcraft Bb trumpet, serial #60442, in excellent condition with a pretty unique history.

This horn came from the personal collection of Trent Austin of Austin Custom Brass and was featured and played by Trent in a video. It was later purchased directly from Trent by the lead trumpet player in the jazz band I play with, who used it for lead work before it eventually came to me.

According to Trent, this particular HC1 was silver plated and then double gold plated by Anderson Silver Plating, with the work arranged through Tom Green. The finish is absolutely beautiful and presents extremely well.

The Handcraft also has an interesting jazz pedigree. Trent discusses its roots in some of Renold Schilke’s earlier design concepts and the Martin Committee tradition, along with the involvement of the late jazz great Wallace Roney in its development.

FEATURES & SPECIFICATIONS

• Schilke HC1 Handcraft Bb trumpet
• Serial #60442
• .468” XL step bore
• One-piece yellow brass #0 XL bell
• Approximately 4.75” bell
• Unsoldered bell bead
• Reverse leadpipe
• Large receiver / venturi design
• Rounded main tuning slide
• Double gold plate over silver
• Plating performed by Anderson Silver Plating
• Made in Chicago, USA

CONDITION

Excellent.

The double gold plate is beautiful and has a deep, rich appearance. There are only minor signs of normal handling and use.

The valves are smooth, the slides work properly, and the horn plays great.

Please look closely at the photos for the exact cosmetic condition.

PLAYABILITY

This is a very open, free-blowing trumpet with relatively little backpressure.

Trent described this horn as having a warm, smoky, club-jazz type of sound, which is a good description.

While the HC1 wasn’t necessarily designed as a traditional commercial lead trumpet, this particular horn has actually been used that way. The lead trumpet player in the jazz band I play with bought it directly from Trent and used it for lead work.

I think it makes an especially good jazz solo horn, but it can certainly handle solo and lead work.

From my own experience with it, this horn plays great.

WHY THIS HORN

I’ll say the same thing I’ve said about Harrelson: there isn’t a lot of love lost between Trent and I, but I’m not going to let that take anything away from this Gold collectors showpiece trumpet.

This was part of Trent’s personal collection before his later association as an official Bell Trunpetz Artist. 🇨🇳

Regardless of any personal differences, this is a beautiful and great-playing Schilke.

You also have the Wallace Roney connection to the development of the Handcraft series and a very unusual Anderson double gold over silver finish.

With gold prices where they are today, reproducing this setup would be extremely expensive. Buying a new HC1 and then having it silver plated and double gold plated to this level would put you at roughly $8,000 all-in.

Between the special Anderson finish, Trent Austin provenance, video history and Wallace Roney connection, I consider this a collector piece for sure.

More importantly, it looks beautiful and plays great.

INCLUDED

• Schilke HC1 Handcraft Bb trumpet
• Like-new Schilke Deluxe double trumpet case

IMPORTANT PHOTO NOTE

This instrument was photographed in a professional LED light box. Reflections can sometimes make the bell or tubing appear wavy or distorted. I have included a comparison photo showing that these apparent lines or waves are reflections from the light box and not damage.

ABOUT ARCH CITY BRASS

Arch City Brass is a veteran-owned small business based in Columbus, Ohio.

As a lifelong trumpet player, I personally inspect and play-test the instruments I sell. My goal is simple: accurately represent each horn, disclose anything a buyer should know, and offer quality instruments that I would be comfortable playing myself.

Exceptional Instruments. Unmatched Value.

MESSAGE ME ANYTIME

Questions about the horn, condition, additional photos, measurements or playing characteristics are always welcome.

SEARCH KEYWORDS

Schilke, Schilke HC1, Schilke Handcraft, HC1 Handcraft, Wallace Roney, Trent Austin, Austin Custom Brass, Anderson Silver Plating, double gold plate, gold plated trumpet, .468 bore, XL bore, yellow brass bell, jazz trumpet, lead trumpet, professional Bb trumpet, Martin Committee, Renold Schilke