THE B1 IS NOT A LARGE BORE. Its .460, and it was Ren Schilkes original design and up until his death was his favorite. I've had many Schilkes over the years (B1, B5, B6, and S32) and while the horn was a little big for me I LOVED the B1 sound. It had everything.... core, projection, and just enough "spread" but you are right in that it does "blow" on the big side.

Of all the Schilkes that I had I wish I could get that B1 back, maybe try it with some tighter backbores or a little more gap. It was a great sounding/playing horn.

Listen to Lin Biviano (please everybody stop calling him "Biv" I used to run into him at Reinhardt studio now and then and I never heard anybody ever call him that) Anyway, listen to the way he lights up Basies band on the "Live at Montreux 77'" on his tuning bell B1. Again.........the B1 was the first Schilke ever made. Ren's lifes work is in the design of that horn.

Chris