SKU: 60260493465

Schmelzer Model 4-XT Tenor Trombone with Axial Rotor and Traditional German Bell

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Description

Schmelzer Model 4-XT Tenor Trombone with Axial Rotor and Traditional German BellThis Model 4 is a custom large bore symphonic tenor trombone made by Manfred Schmelzer in Germany. Manfred has passed away in January 2026 so this is the last one. A lightweight instrument with an axial rotor like this is captivating, and the bell kranz keeps the tone in check. It's especially resonant and fast. Besides the nickel garland on the bell (kranz), this has a reverse F slide to add more mass to the slide and its connection to the horn. The

This Model 4 is a custom large bore symphonic tenor trombone made by Manfred Schmelzer in Germany.  Manfred has passed away in January 2026 so this is the last one.  A lightweight instrument with an axial rotor like this is captivating, and the bell kranz keeps the tone in check.  It's especially resonant and fast. 

Besides the nickel garland on the bell (kranz), this has a reverse F slide to add more mass to the slide and its connection to the horn.  The minimal bracing allows the bell to fully vibrate.  The grip for the hand is not overly large and the trigger throw is normal for for this design.  The bell is ornately engraved, suiting its German heritage.  The hand slide end crook is slightly straighter through the middle than US designs.  The tuning slide and F slide have the same very round radius.  This shape puts a little more length of the instrument within the tuning slide rather than in the neckpipe, so it plays more open, a little larger, faster.

There's always a story when you get a Schmelzer.  I contend that no two are the same.  I'm sure there aren't many Model IV like this, if any.  Schmelzer is retiring so I decided to buy a group of trombones from his last production run.  I was fairly sure some of these are from his trade show display, and this model IV is part of that.  I could see if from the FB posts.  Upon arrival it didn't play at all, so if you had tried it at a trade show and wondered, yes the rotor was misaligned.  The hand slide was also rubbish so it went with other slides to the master Bruce Belo for a tune and clean.  Now it'll work well.  The bell went to Charles Hargett at Brass Mavens for an alignment and cleaning, removal of some dents and marks from use.  Where are these components from?  Manfred fabricates many parts including bells and leadpipes, but the F-attachments and slides of his larger trombones bear a strong resemblance to Arnold Stoelzel and Rath R-Hundred trombones.  I suspect the parts kits are the same.  Some European, some Asian, it works.  Now it plays and I can represent it. 

This is a light and very open horn.  Down low you can blow it like a bass trombone, but beware it'll zap your air.  Compared to an Adams Sonic today, the Schmelzer is more open, has a broader tone, but is softer, more malleable, less stable.  So I experimented...and a Kanstul BB leadpipe (Byron's Bach) fits well and gives back the resistance I like to control things.  That's the setup for me, and the Schmelzer will include this leadpipe along with the original.

Now the Schmelzer axial feels nearly as efficient and centered as a rotary trombone, but big the way axial players like it.  It makes this a terrific playing horn, one I want to keep.

Features

  • .547" wide brass hand slide with nickel trim and 2 removable leadpipes
  • Thayer style axial rotor
  • Lightweight 220mm brass bell with German-style nickel garland
  • Edge-style lightweight bracing
  • Removable bell
  • Lacquer finish
  • Includes case, no mouthpiece


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SKU: 60260493465

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River
Natrona Heights, US
★★★★★ 5
So comfy
Size: King (Pack of 1), Style: Standard Loft (4" - 5")
I spent time looking up/watching videos on pillows for neck pain and this one comes up a lot. I’m someone that used to wake up every few weeks with a stiff neck so bad it could make me cry at work. I haven’t had that happen once after months of using this pillow. I look forward to laying my head down on it every night. It’s a luxury experience every time. I think what it does so well is maintain its shape. You can really squish it up how you want and it stays there even after hours. Moldable but somehow still firm. It’s expensive but to me the value is there because I no longer get crazy neck pain from sleep. Worth trying it out for sure. Btw I was stuck between this is and Purple brands couple top end options. I never got around to trying them because I tried this one first and was very satisfied! Feb 2026. Still use it every night and it's still protecting me from neck pain I used to get from sleeping. It's held up amazing. Hope to use it for many more years.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2025
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Amazon Customer
San Leandro, US
★★★★★ 5
Saatva Pillow is great
Size: Standard/Queen (Pack of 1), Style: Standard Loft (4" - 5")
So far this is the best pillow I have had in the last 10 years and I have tried two Purple pillows a couple different memory foam and Gel pillows at least 4 more pillows that I can't even remember the names of. My neck and shoulders are almost pain free. I have also been doing more stretching of my arms which is also helping, but this pillow has really made the most difference in the pain I have had, I felt difference from the first time I put my head on it. It's comfortable, the perfect height I got the 4"-5", I also got the queen size and it's great. It supports my head just right. I also ordered the Saatva Classic 14" mattress from the company and I sure hope it's as good or better would be great because I have back issues for the last 50 years.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2025
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YL
Cuba, US
★★★★★ 1
Cotton Fluff Around a Mostly Empty Bag
Size: King (Pack of 1), Style: High Loft (6"-7")
Bought the high-loft king, thinking it would be a great (tall) side-sleeper. What I got? A very nice, completely compressible cotton outer shell wrapped around a bag a bit smaller than a standard pillow. In that bag? A tiny amount of small latex chunks, just about a third full. That’s right, some cotton fluff around a basically empty bag. Could you buy some latex yourself and add it? No, the bag is sewn shut. You could probably fill a small pillow with latex you bought elsewhere and put that in. But seriously, what did you pay Saatva for in that case? Probably as close as I’ve seen a major/high-reputation company get towards a literal example of rip off.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2026
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Perry Baker
Houston, US
★★★★★ 3
Wrong item ships/decent pillow/price unjustified
Size: Standard/Queen (Pack of 1), Style: Standard Loft (4" - 5")
Sent me the wrong pillow twice in a row. It said high loft and standard loft on the packing, not sure what the problem is. I ordered standard loft both times, and both times they sent high loft. That name is very deceiving though. If what I have is high loft, the standard loft wouldn’t be much thicker than your standard flat down pillow. If you’d like any sort of neck support I’d suggest starting with the high loft and going down instead of the other way around. I am 5’ 7” 130lbs and this pillow does not lift my neck up further than neutral, which is a good thing. Shredded memory foam pillows are significantly higher or thicker if that helps. Pillow itself grew on me. You can definitely feel that there is a different material in the center of the pillow. I ordered it as a gift and ended up keeping both pillows. The price tag on this item is absolutely outrageous. I would have never ordered it for myself. Saatva products don’t last in my experience, we got their firmest mattress and within 2 years it was sagging horribly. I am interested to see how long this pillow lasts!
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Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2026
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Massapequa, US
★★★★★ 2
Side sleeper- lost loft within 2 weeks
Size: Standard/Queen (Pack of 1), Style: High Loft (6"-7")
Side sleeper and within 2 weeks this pillow has lost its loft and has become lumpy. I have spent so much money trying to support my neck and shoulders, this unfortunately is not it. I will continue my search and return this one.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2026

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