Shank Lengths - Short/standard/long
- BrianJohnston
- Posts: 1165
- Joined: Jul 11, 2020
Hi,
There was a thread a while back about why some shanks are shorter or longer than others. I've heard and felt that longer shanks provide a clearer slot, while shorter shanks are more open and have more flexibility.
What effects does shank lengths have on the sound, feel, playability etc.
Wondering other's opinions on this.
There was a thread a while back about why some shanks are shorter or longer than others. I've heard and felt that longer shanks provide a clearer slot, while shorter shanks are more open and have more flexibility.
What effects does shank lengths have on the sound, feel, playability etc.
Wondering other's opinions on this.
- BGuttman
- Posts: 7368
- Joined: Mar 22, 2018
I'm sure Doug Elliott will give a very comprehensive answer, but understand that the length is one factor of a bunch of interrelated factors that determine the response of the mouthpiece. The shape of the backbore at the very least can alter the overall effect of the length; and one short mouthpiece can play as well as a long mouthpiece with a different backbore.
As an example of how interrelated these can be, I play or played a variety of King trombones. Most mouthpieces go further into these horns than what is considered "correct". But when I used Doug's special King shanks that only go in the "standard" 1 inch (25 mm) the response is odd. My horns play fine on conventional shanks going in just a little further.
As an example of how interrelated these can be, I play or played a variety of King trombones. Most mouthpieces go further into these horns than what is considered "correct". But when I used Doug's special King shanks that only go in the "standard" 1 inch (25 mm) the response is odd. My horns play fine on conventional shanks going in just a little further.
- Dsbones
- Posts: 55
- Joined: Oct 18, 2019
I was wondering about this exact thing this afternoon also……
- harrisonreed
- Posts: 6479
- Joined: Aug 17, 2018
Shank length, or overall length? Or shank insertion depth?
For example, a really shallow alto piece will naturally get a long shank if keeping the overall length standard. These things are not necessarily related to the tip diameter, which determines how far into the lead pipe the shank goes.
For example, a really shallow alto piece will naturally get a long shank if keeping the overall length standard. These things are not necessarily related to the tip diameter, which determines how far into the lead pipe the shank goes.
- BGuttman
- Posts: 7368
- Joined: Mar 22, 2018
My point is that it's not a matter of A does B and C does D. A does B and D, and C does B and D. So you can't just pull one parameter out of the air and try to assign effects to it.
- GabrielRice
- Posts: 1496
- Joined: Mar 23, 2018
Bruce is right on. The length of the shank and the backbore taper are related for sure.
- BrianJohnston
- Posts: 1165
- Joined: Jul 11, 2020
Shank Lengths.
Let's say you have two "identical" mouthpieces, one of them has a shorter than "average" length shank, the other has a longer than "average" shank length...
What tendencies are you likely to find in terms of sound, feel, playability etc.
Let's say you have two "identical" mouthpieces, one of them has a shorter than "average" length shank, the other has a longer than "average" shank length...
What tendencies are you likely to find in terms of sound, feel, playability etc.
- tbonesullivan
- Posts: 1959
- Joined: Jul 02, 2019
I don't think there is really a way to make that kind of general assessment. The placement of the throat, and the shape of the back bore are going to greatly influence things as well, not just how long the shank is. You'd need to have two identical mouthpieces that only differed by shank length, with all other things equal.
- GabrielRice
- Posts: 1496
- Joined: Mar 23, 2018
[quote="tbonesullivan"]I don't think there is really a way to make that kind of general assessment. The placement of the throat, and the shape of the back bore are going to greatly influence things as well, not just how long the shank is. You'd need to have two identical mouthpieces that only differed by shank length, with all other things equal.[/quote]
And this is exactly what Brian is asking for. You can do it to some extent with older long-shank versions of Schilke mouthpieces compared to the newer short shank versions.
And this is exactly what Brian is asking for. You can do it to some extent with older long-shank versions of Schilke mouthpieces compared to the newer short shank versions.
- Doug_Elliott
- Posts: 4155
- Joined: Mar 22, 2018
As long as the backbore is balanced "for what length it is," long or short doesn't matter much. Either can be made to work well.
If you change something that is already balanced well, it will be worse. If you change something that needs to be in the direction you're changing, it will be better.
Imagine that...
If you change something that is already balanced well, it will be worse. If you change something that needs to be in the direction you're changing, it will be better.
Imagine that...
- tbonesullivan
- Posts: 1959
- Joined: Jul 02, 2019
[quote="GabrielRice"]And this is exactly what Brian is asking for. You can do it to some extent with older long-shank versions of Schilke mouthpieces compared to the newer short shank versions.[/quote] I was thinking about those. Did those have a "V" shaped backbore, or more of the Denis Wick "Barrel" type? I had one of those a long time ago, and hated it in my 3B because it wobbled all the time.
- Kevbach33
- Posts: 295
- Joined: May 29, 2018
[quote="tbonesullivan"]<QUOTE author="GabrielRice" post_id="199005" time="1673634874" user_id="102">And this is exactly what Brian is asking for. You can do it to some extent with older long-shank versions of Schilke mouthpieces compared to the newer short shank versions.[/quote] I was thinking about those. Did those have a "V" shaped backbore, or more of the Denis Wick "Barrel" type? I had one of those a long time ago, and hated it in my 3B because it wobbled all the time.
</QUOTE>
I'm pretty certain @GabrielRice is taking about large shank Schilke only, where there is a difference. What can be seen with the eye is the short mouthpiece has a bevel at the end, whereas the long shank backbore flows right to the tip. I'm not sure of any other changes to the backbore.
But, the main reason for the longer shank was a better fit in Conn 8/88H and bass trombones with the slower taper found on Remington and 3B mouthpieces. They can help lower the pitch on shorter trombones too, namely Getzen.
I suppose standard Schilke backbores, large and small (and Euro), are V-shaped or slightly convex; "b" and "a" are progressively tighter or more concave, and "d" is more open or convex. There doesn't seem to be an "e" backbore anymore, which was the most open.
I'm not sure about small shank Schilke pieces, though I thought the extra length of exposed shank on the standard blank looks goofy. Does Schilke specify how deep they're supposed to fit?
</QUOTE>
I'm pretty certain @GabrielRice is taking about large shank Schilke only, where there is a difference. What can be seen with the eye is the short mouthpiece has a bevel at the end, whereas the long shank backbore flows right to the tip. I'm not sure of any other changes to the backbore.
But, the main reason for the longer shank was a better fit in Conn 8/88H and bass trombones with the slower taper found on Remington and 3B mouthpieces. They can help lower the pitch on shorter trombones too, namely Getzen.
I suppose standard Schilke backbores, large and small (and Euro), are V-shaped or slightly convex; "b" and "a" are progressively tighter or more concave, and "d" is more open or convex. There doesn't seem to be an "e" backbore anymore, which was the most open.
I'm not sure about small shank Schilke pieces, though I thought the extra length of exposed shank on the standard blank looks goofy. Does Schilke specify how deep they're supposed to fit?
- Posaunus
- Posts: 5018
- Joined: Mar 23, 2018
[quote="tbonesullivan"]<QUOTE author="GabrielRice" post_id="199005" time="1673634874" user_id="102">And this is exactly what Brian is asking for. You can do it to some extent with older long-shank versions of Schilke mouthpieces compared to the newer short shank versions.[/quote] I was thinking about those. Did those have a "V" shaped backbore, or more of the Denis Wick "Barrel" type? I had one of those a long time ago, and hated it in my 3B because it wobbled all the time.
</QUOTE>
I think the old "long-shank" Schilke mouthpieces were only large-shank (e.g., Schilke 51) that seemed to work in a Conn "Remington" taper as well as a standard taper receiver. I wasn't aware that there was a long-shank version of their small-shank mouthpieces. In any case, I don't think Schilke backbores closely resemble either of the Denis Wicks.
</QUOTE>
I think the old "long-shank" Schilke mouthpieces were only large-shank (e.g., Schilke 51) that seemed to work in a Conn "Remington" taper as well as a standard taper receiver. I wasn't aware that there was a long-shank version of their small-shank mouthpieces. In any case, I don't think Schilke backbores closely resemble either of the Denis Wicks.
- harrisonreed
- Posts: 6479
- Joined: Aug 17, 2018
[quote="tbonesullivan"]I don't think there is really a way to make that kind of general assessment. The placement of the throat, and the shape of the back bore are going to greatly influence things as well, not just how long the shank is. You'd need to have two identical mouthpieces that only differed by shank length, with all other things equal.[/quote]
Which you can't have. As soon as you change the length of the shank (by any meaningful amount) you change the taper rate of the backbore. ie not identical.
If you made the shank really long, eventually the backbore would just be nearly a cylinder.
That's why I asked my initial question. I have alto pieces with longer shanks than bass pieces. Apples to oranges. So as you say, were talking about overall length, keeping the cup and throat identical and increasing the shank. We've got people giving answers about Remington receivers. We're all talking about different things, partially because the thread you referenced in the OP had posts referencing Remington leadpipes and how far mouthpieces go into them, and other stuff like using tape to change the tip diameter (if it's the one I'm thinking of).
I don't think the issue of Remington receivers is what Brian is asking about . Just making it longer doesn't fix that issue. You need a different external taper rate.
So.... Overall length. If you keep everything else the same, including shank taper and tip diameter, the mouthpiece will have a slower backbore taper by necessity, and play flatter. That could effect the focus the same way that a tighter backbore would on any mouthpiece. It can also affect how the octaves line up.
The whole thing needs to be balanced. Change the overall length (in the shank) and you wind up with something totally different, for better or worse.
Which you can't have. As soon as you change the length of the shank (by any meaningful amount) you change the taper rate of the backbore. ie not identical.
If you made the shank really long, eventually the backbore would just be nearly a cylinder.
That's why I asked my initial question. I have alto pieces with longer shanks than bass pieces. Apples to oranges. So as you say, were talking about overall length, keeping the cup and throat identical and increasing the shank. We've got people giving answers about Remington receivers. We're all talking about different things, partially because the thread you referenced in the OP had posts referencing Remington leadpipes and how far mouthpieces go into them, and other stuff like using tape to change the tip diameter (if it's the one I'm thinking of).
I don't think the issue of Remington receivers is what Brian is asking about . Just making it longer doesn't fix that issue. You need a different external taper rate.
So.... Overall length. If you keep everything else the same, including shank taper and tip diameter, the mouthpiece will have a slower backbore taper by necessity, and play flatter. That could effect the focus the same way that a tighter backbore would on any mouthpiece. It can also affect how the octaves line up.
The whole thing needs to be balanced. Change the overall length (in the shank) and you wind up with something totally different, for better or worse.
- BrianJohnston
- Posts: 1165
- Joined: Jul 11, 2020
Thanks to all above, this is what I was looking for.
- Matt_K
- Posts: 4809
- Joined: Mar 21, 2018
There’s quite a bit of discussion about this in trumpet world, where Monette pieces have a large (or at least vocal) minority of players on such “short shank” pieces. Trumpet herald has quite a few discussions about this, including from Jim Becker (formerly at Osmun) who has been doing short shank modifications for a rather long time.
When I play trumpet, I also play one of these pieces. It has an absurdly large throat (I want to say an 18! vs the “standard” 28). Works better for me, but I’m by no means even close to being a professional. Better flexibility and more open feeling vs traditional mouthpieces.
When I play trumpet, I also play one of these pieces. It has an absurdly large throat (I want to say an 18! vs the “standard” 28). Works better for me, but I’m by no means even close to being a professional. Better flexibility and more open feeling vs traditional mouthpieces.
- pjanda1
- Posts: 158
- Joined: Aug 29, 2021
I find the long shank Schilkes to be really special with my Elky 8H. The slotting and response are telepathic. I've tried many other things, and no shorter shanks work as well in that horn. I had a Bach long Remington shank 5gs (marked 88h) that was darn good, just not the diameter and rim shape I prefer.
Now, I'm messing with a Brassark morse taper 8h pipe while I wait patiently for my 1919 8h pipe. So far, slotting and response are pretty good with normal large shanks. Too soon to say for sure, because this seamed copper pipe is weird in other ways. But, the difference in this single pipe between the normal large shank 51 and my favorite long shank 51 (I have multiples) is much smaller. The normal large shanks seems just fine!
I don't know what is making the difference for my favorite 8h pipe. I have another 8h Remington pipe I need to solder a ring on and try. But for my favorite pipe and the half dozen "long shank" Schilkes of various sizes I've tried, I can say conclusively that it makes a huge difference for me. As in ... More difference than even big differences in diameter or cup depth.
Paul
Now, I'm messing with a Brassark morse taper 8h pipe while I wait patiently for my 1919 8h pipe. So far, slotting and response are pretty good with normal large shanks. Too soon to say for sure, because this seamed copper pipe is weird in other ways. But, the difference in this single pipe between the normal large shank 51 and my favorite long shank 51 (I have multiples) is much smaller. The normal large shanks seems just fine!
I don't know what is making the difference for my favorite 8h pipe. I have another 8h Remington pipe I need to solder a ring on and try. But for my favorite pipe and the half dozen "long shank" Schilkes of various sizes I've tried, I can say conclusively that it makes a huge difference for me. As in ... More difference than even big differences in diameter or cup depth.
Paul
- BrianJohnston
- Posts: 1165
- Joined: Jul 11, 2020
I'm revising my question a bit after finally understanding more about this subject:
Lets say you have 3 "identical" mouthpieces with short, medium, long shanks that each have a backbore adjusted to compensate for the different lengths. What would some of the differences be on these three mouthpieces?
My guess(es) would be:
<U>Short shank length:</U> Less slotting, less focus, easier/freer slurs, easier flexibility.
<U>Medium shank length:</U> Balanced version of the above & below.
<U>Long shank length:</U> More slotting, more focus, Tighter/stiffer slurs, less flexible.
Lets say you have 3 "identical" mouthpieces with short, medium, long shanks that each have a backbore adjusted to compensate for the different lengths. What would some of the differences be on these three mouthpieces?
My guess(es) would be:
<U>Short shank length:</U> Less slotting, less focus, easier/freer slurs, easier flexibility.
<U>Medium shank length:</U> Balanced version of the above & below.
<U>Long shank length:</U> More slotting, more focus, Tighter/stiffer slurs, less flexible.
- elmsandr
- Posts: 1373
- Joined: Mar 23, 2018
There are choices made in those different length shanks… did you increase the length of the throat? Change the taper of backbore? Leave a different amount of step at the shank/leadpipe interface?
For fun, you may want to take a chat with Scott Hartman. He’s gone on a bit of a journey with some of these variables himself and developed his interchangeable system around these.
[url] https://hartmanmouthpieces.net/
Cheers,
Andy
For fun, you may want to take a chat with Scott Hartman. He’s gone on a bit of a journey with some of these variables himself and developed his interchangeable system around these.
Cheers,
Andy
- harrisonreed
- Posts: 6479
- Joined: Aug 17, 2018
[quote="BrianJohnston"]I'm revising my question a bit after finally understanding more about this subject:
Lets say you have 3 "identical" mouthpieces with short, medium, long shanks that each have a backbore adjusted to compensate for the different lengths. What would some of the differences be on these three mouthpieces?
[/quote]
There are too many variables here, and how would you "adjust" the backbore? Are you talking about sawing off .25" of shank off the end and then opening up the backbore to reduce the step? It will play completely differently. It might act as you suggest if, instead of changing the whole backbore, you just chamfer the step where you make the cut. I have a feeling that a really short mouthpiece that only goes in half an inch (but otherwise keeps the outside length the same) would play terribly. But who knows!
If you buy into the F-pop theory, reducing the backbore volume by cutting the shank would reduce the amplitude and change the frequency of the "pop" and your mouthpiece would play with a lot less power. I'm not sure if I completely buy into that theory, but there definitely is a correlation between F-pop freq./amplitude and how much a particular mouthpiece projects.
What I've usually seen on "long" mouthpieces is that the backbore follows a normal path, and then the length past the point where the shank diameter would go in 1" either has the backbore chamfered (rapidly expands to meet the end of the shank) or it just keeps on with the profile until the two lines almost meet. My L2 is kind of in-between those two concepts. It plays very open and has a really defined slot.
Lets say you have 3 "identical" mouthpieces with short, medium, long shanks that each have a backbore adjusted to compensate for the different lengths. What would some of the differences be on these three mouthpieces?
[/quote]
There are too many variables here, and how would you "adjust" the backbore? Are you talking about sawing off .25" of shank off the end and then opening up the backbore to reduce the step? It will play completely differently. It might act as you suggest if, instead of changing the whole backbore, you just chamfer the step where you make the cut. I have a feeling that a really short mouthpiece that only goes in half an inch (but otherwise keeps the outside length the same) would play terribly. But who knows!
If you buy into the F-pop theory, reducing the backbore volume by cutting the shank would reduce the amplitude and change the frequency of the "pop" and your mouthpiece would play with a lot less power. I'm not sure if I completely buy into that theory, but there definitely is a correlation between F-pop freq./amplitude and how much a particular mouthpiece projects.
What I've usually seen on "long" mouthpieces is that the backbore follows a normal path, and then the length past the point where the shank diameter would go in 1" either has the backbore chamfered (rapidly expands to meet the end of the shank) or it just keeps on with the profile until the two lines almost meet. My L2 is kind of in-between those two concepts. It plays very open and has a really defined slot.
- Doug_Elliott
- Posts: 4155
- Joined: Mar 22, 2018
There are far too many variables to make any blanket statements. They can all be made to play equally, with enough design work and experimentation.
- DCOLSON55
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Apr 16, 2023
I got my Conn 88H back in high school, with a Bach 6-1/2 AL mouthpiece with the longer Remington shank. At the suggestion of my trombone teacher, I had the backbore reamed out a bit. After playing bass trombone in college for a couple years, I ordered a Bach 2G mouthpiece with the 88H shank to play low parts. Both fit the receiver perfectly. I also played on a Holton 4 with the adaptor that came with the horn for a standard size shank for particularly high parts (Bolero, Beethoven's 5th). In later years I decided to try an intermediate size, a Blessing 4G large shank MP. While it sounded fine and was very comfortable to play, there was a little wobble in the receiver, and the notes didn't always slot well. On checking Trombone Chat I discovered that in addition to being a little shorter than the 88H shank, the taper of the shank was different. I then found a Bach 4GB (Beversdorf model) with an 88H shank which resolved the wobble and also corrected the slotting issue.
2 questions - 1. do you think the slotting issue was due to the shorter shank of the Blessing, or due to imprecise fit of the taper? It seems the wobble might allow a miniscule air leak that could effect response.
2. What was the purpose of enlarging the backbore on the 6-1/2 AL, and would there be any benefit to having this done to my other 2 mouthpieces? The walls of the shank are quite thick at the receiver end - how does the bump where it opens into the leadpipe effect performance?
2 questions - 1. do you think the slotting issue was due to the shorter shank of the Blessing, or due to imprecise fit of the taper? It seems the wobble might allow a miniscule air leak that could effect response.
2. What was the purpose of enlarging the backbore on the 6-1/2 AL, and would there be any benefit to having this done to my other 2 mouthpieces? The walls of the shank are quite thick at the receiver end - how does the bump where it opens into the leadpipe effect performance?
- wayne88ny
- Posts: 82
- Joined: May 24, 2018
In 2001 Gary Greehoe wrote:
"...Conn had a unique approach to mouthpiece/leadpipe development. They established a philosophy
based on Brown & Sharp tapers. The Conn leadpipes were truly unique in being much more open than any of the Morse taper manufacturers. It was a completely different approach to instrument design. The B & S taper being
much slower than Morse. As a result the venturi was further down the leadpipe, and response was very different from the Morse camp..."
The Conn SL4747 R and S leadpipes have very different shapes. It's my guess that the S leadpipe was designed to play like the R leadpipe. It had to be shaped differently because the receiver is different. I'd be curious to hear the R and the S played with the same long shank Schilke mouthpiece.
In the olden days many orchestral players used a stock Bach 5G mouthpiece and over time the soft brass receiver would conform to the Bach shank.
I question the practice of making a copy of a vintage Conn leadpipe with a Morse taper. Make mine with the original Remington taper and I'll use a mouthpiece that fits.
"...Conn had a unique approach to mouthpiece/leadpipe development. They established a philosophy
based on Brown & Sharp tapers. The Conn leadpipes were truly unique in being much more open than any of the Morse taper manufacturers. It was a completely different approach to instrument design. The B & S taper being
much slower than Morse. As a result the venturi was further down the leadpipe, and response was very different from the Morse camp..."
The Conn SL4747 R and S leadpipes have very different shapes. It's my guess that the S leadpipe was designed to play like the R leadpipe. It had to be shaped differently because the receiver is different. I'd be curious to hear the R and the S played with the same long shank Schilke mouthpiece.
In the olden days many orchestral players used a stock Bach 5G mouthpiece and over time the soft brass receiver would conform to the Bach shank.
I question the practice of making a copy of a vintage Conn leadpipe with a Morse taper. Make mine with the original Remington taper and I'll use a mouthpiece that fits.
- Bombardino23
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Jun 21, 2024
[quote="Posaunus"]I wasn't aware that there was a long-shank version of their small-shank mouthpieces.[/quote]
Though I don't know much about shanks and backbore, I do know that I've recently bought a small bore schilke 50. And that mouthpiece definitely has a fairly long shank; so much so that it doesn't fit my small bore vintage B&S because the shank touches the leadpipe's venturi before it actually locks on the receiver. I've solved it by simply using some electician tape on the shank, but I'm actually courious as to whether that may affect the playing characteristics of the horn+mouthpiece, since the mouthpiece isn't in the intended position
Though I don't know much about shanks and backbore, I do know that I've recently bought a small bore schilke 50. And that mouthpiece definitely has a fairly long shank; so much so that it doesn't fit my small bore vintage B&S because the shank touches the leadpipe's venturi before it actually locks on the receiver. I've solved it by simply using some electician tape on the shank, but I'm actually courious as to whether that may affect the playing characteristics of the horn+mouthpiece, since the mouthpiece isn't in the intended position