Schilke S32 Trumpet

Schilke trumpets are handmade by Schilke Music Products in Chicago, Illinois, where the company has been based since its founding by Renold Schilke in the 1950s. Renold Schilke was a trumpet player in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra before dedicating himself to instrument manufacturing full time.

The Bach Stradivarius, made by Conn-Selmer in Elkhart, Indiana, is the traditional default for orchestral trumpet sections and is known for its darker, broader sound. The Schilke S32 typically produces a more responsive, centered tone with quicker articulation, which some players prefer for chamber and solo work but which can blend differently in large sections.

The Schilke S32 is built with a medium-large bore, which contributes to its characteristic balance of projection and tonal warmth. Schilke's numbering system reflects bore and taper design choices, and the S32 is among their more versatile models suited for players who need both flexibility and control.

The Schilke B-series trumpets, such as the popular B1 and B5, feature a conventional leadpipe design, while the S-series models like the S32 incorporate a different bell and leadpipe taper configuration that alters the blow resistance and tonal color. The S32 specifically is known for being slightly more compact and focused in its sound compared to the larger-feeling B-series models.