Excellent trumpet. I tried this out at the local brook mays music store, and i found it very responisive, lively, and very nice looking as well. I tried this one out after I tried out a Yamaha Xeno Pro trumpet, and this Schmidt annihalated it.

The Xeno was nowhere near as responsive, for i could play extremely quiet on the Schmidt with a very nice tone as opposed to the Yamaha, which was significantly (and undesirably) louder when playing quiet and had more of a dead sound. The tone of this instrument, unlike the Xeno, was more of a bright, lively sound, and not somewhat dead and dull. Loud volumes could be reached very easily without spreading, and it wasnt very easy to get tired quickly on this horn. It is very free blowing, and it is easy to keep it in tune. The notes came out immediately, and were unrestrained and full of great tone (Hah, maybe thats just the player, but it hasnt been this good on any other trumpet i tried).

The valves on the schmidt were much quieter and quicker than the Xeno, as well. the Xeno seemed to have some awful (but easy enough to get used to) grating type sound whenever valves were pressed (and this was seen on every Xeno i have played, which is somewhere around 5). This, on the other hand, had silent movement, and notes changed VERY quickly and smoothly. Minimal lubing was required, too, even though this was a brand new horn.

The extra slide is nice, in case something bad happens before a gig, and the extra valve caps are a nice plus. Overall, I would recommend this horn (beats out those yamahas and bachs i have tried out, and totally blows middle-priced horns to oblivion). Comes with a mouthpiece as well, which I havent taken the time to try out.

The gold caps and such do look slightly tacky, but its nothing you can't get used to. Same goes for the overly massive etching of the F. Schmidt and a flower on the side.

By the way, the price i paid is about $200 less of what the price they want is, because of a little haggling.

Err.. couldnt edit my review. Still good, but the silver on the bell began to tarnish or something... wonderful. Only place it has been is in the case or in the air, so not quite sure why it did that and only on the bell... At least its not very visible if theres color in teh room. Other trumpets havent done this to me before in the same environments, so whatever.

Still sounds great though.

OMG! I bought this trumpet Saturday and I love it!! I think it's a VERY good professional trumpet. Even though I like Bach Strads, I think this one is better. (Sorry to all the Strad lovers...lol). GREAT TRUMPET...BUY IT!
More serious note, I played a Conn Contenntial (can't spell...but I think that's right) and this trumpet is a lot easier to play. I've played on a Bach Strad and this trumpet killed it as well. The keys are very very quick and the sound can be projected really well without sounding brassy or spread the sound.

better then bach strads. much better sorry strad lovers. great allaround horn

Nice trumpet for the intermediate player. Wouldn't recommend for the more serious players. Sounds awesome when playing loud, but not as awesome as the Bachs and the others. When playing soft in concert band, it sounds terrible, like foofy ringing through my ears. Doesn't slot so well.

I am a student and i got this horn for $800 because i won a gift certificate for $500 and i paid $1000 with my own money, but all together it cost around $1500.. i think it is a great investment, i also tried out the Yamaha Xeno before this one, and i went straight for this horn after i played it.

If you have the chance to drive up to elkart indiana and test the strads on the assembly line...DO IT....I have this horn and my lessons teacher makes me use his strad because its a much more focused sounds as well as more open..Some of the Schmidts notes are damn near impossible to tune and the horn does not slot well at all. I know not everyone can drive to elkart, but before you spend this amount of money realize this horn is good for mostly High School Students. Bach Strads are still much better quality horns

great great great

I've got 2 F Schmidts - one 37S and the MK37SLTD. Both are solidly made horns and play nicely for the money. The LTD feels a little more open and has a slightly fuller sound than the 37S and the slotting is not as tight as the 37S. For me these have a great upper register, but get a little airy and undefined below the staff, but still managable. The MK37SLTD is a nicer playing and sounding horn than the plain 37S. Overall, the MK37SLTD is a better playing horn than the plain 37S.

While both models of the Schmidts are good all-around horns, they are not as nice as the horn they are patterned after. Given the choice between a used Bach 180 37 and a MK37SLTD for the same price, I'd take the Bach. The Strad has more core to the sound with a better spectrum of overtones.

Aesthetically, I like the gold accents but think the rose engraving is tacky. Would be a sharp looking horn if they just engraved the name on the side of the bell without the rose, IMHO.

It is similar to the Bach Strad but plays softer

I've had mine for two years and it has held up just like new. It still plays like new and is the best i've ever used. I would diffently recommend this horn.

this horn is good for a high school student that wants to upgrade to a new horn, but if you're more of a serious player, stick to the stard or xeno