Trombone Mouthpiece

[lynchie]

Right, I was thinking about getting a new mouthpiece since the one I have is the one I got free with my trombone a few years back...

Anyway, I think I'm going to go slightly smaller because

a) I'm a wimp and
b) ...no that's it

So I tried out the Denis Wick 6BL Heavy Top (or something like that) which one of my minions at YB2K has and it seemed very nice, range was much easier, even low, and it seemed to project pretty well.

So, what I'm asking is... are there any similar mouthpieces that are better? And is there something about going smaller that I haven't thought of which might put me off?

 

[Bones]

Bach 5G is pretty standard
Wick 5Abl is a good comparative.

Schilke 51 aren;t too bad but take a lot of getting used to.

Personally I played on a a Bach 5G for many years but changed recently to a Wick 5 ABL becasuse it has a slightly larger rim and throat. I was finding some notes were not speaking clearly enough for me on the 5G.

Just my tuppence worth

Cheers

 

[bagpuss]

I have always used 6 1/2 AL. It has a good range, the top notes are nice and the bottom notes aren't too bad either. I haven't yet found a mouthpiece which suits me better ot that gives better range and is so easy to use. Many many people will disagree with me but THEY'RE WRONG NOT ME!!!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Hope this helps


Puss

 

[Bob Thompson]

The Bach 5g for me, it performs very well across the range of regesters, its generally me that doesnt!

 

[Highams]

These screw rim/cup/shank sets offer almost unlimited combinations, beautifully made & finished from the USA;

http://www.dougelliottmouthpieces.com/contents.html

CB
Euphonium, BBC Winds, London

 

[Okiedokie of Oz]

Depending on how much of a wimp you are, have you tried the Bach 8?

 

[twm_trombone]

I now play on the Vincent Bach 5GL after moving from the Dennis Wick 5AL mouthpiece. I find the Bach a lot easier to blow and the high and low register seem to have a clearer more resonant sound. The rounder rim also allows me to play for longer withouth getting tired.

 

[Dave Euph]

I have always used 6 1/2 AL. It has a good range, the top notes are nice and the bottom notes aren't too bad either. I haven't yet found a mouthpiece which suits me better ot that gives better range and is so easy to use. Many many people will disagree with me but THEY'RE WRONG NOT ME!!!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Hope this helps


Puss

Yes, it's a good trombone mouthpiece, my great strength on the trombone has always been my tone, and I reckon that's mainly due to that.

 

[Boneman]

I've played on a Dennis Wick 4AL for a couple of years, it took a bit to get used to it, but now I really like it! it helps you make a nice sound, even when you play loud, which I don't often do.

Prior to that I spent about 8 years on a Vincent Bach 6 1/2.

Does anyone know what the various numbers and letters stand for?

 

[Okiedokie of Oz]

A lot of the non-specialist mouthpice makers are adopting a numbering system that's a little more universal

eg 7B5 for trumpets...
the first nomber would represent the rim
the letter would categorise the cup depth
and the final digit would be the throat

Were other companies to adopt this it would save a lot of confusion.

Wick use a similar system
eg the 4AL trom moupiece
it is the #4 rim size, with a Large shank. The "A" is just a model reference.

 

[timbloke]

I grew up on a bach 6 1/2 AM, but recently moved on to the 5G which i find i get a better range on. But as has been said on many a topic, you can be a good player on almost any mouthpiece, as long as you give it time to get used to it.

 

[MoominDave]

Wick use a similar system
eg the 4AL trom moupiece
it is the #4 rim size, with a Large shank. The "A" is just a model reference.

A means a deeper cup - B is shallower.

If I might add a bit of personal prejudice, the idea of using a Wick 4AL on a Tenor Trom (and for 1st at that) fills me with horror! And yes, I have done it - in fact I've also done it on a 3AL once or twice. For me (and I don't think I'm entirely alone), the equivalent Vincent Bach xG whups the DW xAL for Trombone on two clear grounds - 1) The rim is uncomfortably wide on the DW - it kills your flexibility, and hinders your tone sometimes; 2) You get very little feedback from the mouthpiece to the lips, so you can start doing bad things with your tone without realising.

Just my opinion!

Dave

 

[Okiedokie of Oz]

I agree with that about trom mouthpieces.......but there only.

 

[NAS]

Im currently using a Denis Wick 4al... I like it although it took me a while to get used to it cos its quite big.

 

[MoominDave]

How do you rate it against the VB 4G?

Dave

 

[Bones]

Wick use a similar system
eg the 4AL trom moupiece
it is the #4 rim size, with a Large shank. The "A" is just a model reference.

A means a deeper cup - B is shallower.

If I might add a bit of personal prejudice, the idea of using a Wick 4AL on a Tenor Trom (and for 1st at that) fills me with horror! And yes, I have done it - in fact I've also done it on a 3AL once or twice. For me (and I don't think I'm entirely alone), the equivalent Vincent Bach xG whups the DW xAL for Trombone on two clear grounds - 1) The rim is uncomfortably wide on the DW - it kills your flexibility, and hinders your tone sometimes; 2) You get very little feedback from the mouthpiece to the lips, so you can start doing bad things with your tone without realising.

Just my opinion!

Dave

Strangely enough I like the large rim on the DW ABL. The main difference appears to be the back bore is slightly larger and being a conical shape the flow of air seems more direct.

Mind you I used a 5G for ages and swore by that until 4 months.

I think as you develop, your facial musculature will differ and sometimes you have to adapt.

Interesting topic this, I hope to God noone wants to have a what's the best trombone discussion.

Rich

 

[lynchie]

Interesting topic this, I hope to God noone wants to have a what's the best trombone discussion.

Rich

Ah, well that would just be too obvious...

Anyway, I think I'm going to go for the 6BL since it doesn't seem to have affected my low range at all, and I can play up high for hours!

 

[Steve]

I just switched from a VB 4G to a VB 5G as I only used the 4 as i was Playing a lot of Euph at the time. The 5G is IMHO excellent all round! Lynchie, collar me before the next yb2k rehearsal and I will let you have a quick razz on it (if you can stand the smell of B&H that is!!)

 

[madandcrazytromboneguy]

when i moved on2 my large bore trombone i started on a DW 6BL, now im on a DW 5AL heavytop, its given me a bigger and straighter sound, it didnt take me long 2 get my higher range back and the lower range is fairly good aswell. it has an excellant middle range, so it depends which seat you are on, as to whether you use a bigger or smaller mouthpiece, this 5AL HT has done fine for me so far. hope that gives you some info you might not have known about. good luck in finding a good mp.

 

[JonP]

I now play on the Vincent Bach 5GL after moving from the Dennis Wick 5AL mouthpiece. I find the Bach a lot easier to blow and the high and low register seem to have a clearer more resonant sound. The rounder rim also allows me to play for longer withouth getting tired.

These are great mouthpieces. they are exactley the same as a normal 5G but are shallower. Thats why stamina is improved. this mouthpiece wont give the same large sound as a 5G but will help if yor used to a 6. Its lots shallower than a DW 5AL. A 5GS has a rim the same as a 5G but the cup and back bore of a 6.5 AL. So brighter again.

If you ca work with a 5g you will maintain a better sound and the stamona will improve with practise. A 5GL is a good mouthpiece if you dont have the time to work to build teh stamina!