Small shank trombone mouthpiece recommendations
- bbux007
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Jun 26, 2024
Im mainly a tuba player but i recently got a trombone for community orchestra, I currently play on a Denis Wick 6by which i originally used on euphonium which works great. Recently I purchased a small shank Dillons Bb/F trombone which I love but using the 6by isnt working out as well as on euph. I enjoy Denis Wick rims and was looking into purchasing a 4bs which is bigger which i feel i woud like since i tried a 4BL on my friends horn and liked the size but wonder if its too big for small shank. If anyone has any recommendations for small shank mouthpieces and where i could find there used.
- Doug_Elliott
- Posts: 4155
- Joined: Mar 22, 2018
Do you know the bore size of that Bb/F trombone?
4BS could be a good choice. It's not necessarily "too big for small shank."
4BS could be a good choice. It's not necessarily "too big for small shank."
- rudytbone
- Posts: 46
- Joined: Feb 17, 2024
I use a 4BS on my Olds Custom (.525) and Old Super and am quite happy. Went to the Wick from a Bach 5G.
- musicofnote
- Posts: 367
- Joined: Jun 03, 2022
Before running out and buying any mouthpiece simply on the free advice given by someone in an internet group, who has neither seen your instrument, nor watched you play, nor heard your own assessment of what you're looking for in a mouthpiece, why not schedule a zoom conference with a reputable, knowledgable designer/builder? And maybe one who might even recommend something he himself doesn't make? Has been known to happen.
And still, until you get that mouthpiece between your instrument and your face, there will be no guarantees. Could be just the mouthpiece.
Well, I do know of one designer/maker with whom you could schedule a Zoom session, play for him, talk to him, listen to him and decide if you want one of his and let him recommend based upon what he's seen and heard of you and your playing. He's a very competent trumpet player, medical doctor so has an intimate knowledge of human anatomy, playing physiology and, of course, mouthpiece making. He does also offer a 90-day full money back guarantee if it doesn't work out for you or if you want to exchange for another size/shape/material. And if at any point after the 90 days, if you want an exchange, with or without a further zoom session, you'll get an 80% credit when you return the original mouthpiece towards another.
No worries - while I do play these (and others), I'm not on commission, make no money from his sales. But there are also other designers here who will take your money, with or without a personal consultation. Or simply give you free advice sight unseen.
And still, until you get that mouthpiece between your instrument and your face, there will be no guarantees. Could be just the mouthpiece.
Well, I do know of one designer/maker with whom you could schedule a Zoom session, play for him, talk to him, listen to him and decide if you want one of his and let him recommend based upon what he's seen and heard of you and your playing. He's a very competent trumpet player, medical doctor so has an intimate knowledge of human anatomy, playing physiology and, of course, mouthpiece making. He does also offer a 90-day full money back guarantee if it doesn't work out for you or if you want to exchange for another size/shape/material. And if at any point after the 90 days, if you want an exchange, with or without a further zoom session, you'll get an 80% credit when you return the original mouthpiece towards another.
No worries - while I do play these (and others), I'm not on commission, make no money from his sales. But there are also other designers here who will take your money, with or without a personal consultation. Or simply give you free advice sight unseen.
- Doug_Elliott
- Posts: 4155
- Joined: Mar 22, 2018
If the Wick 4 rim size works well for you, the 4BS will be fine on.that .525 bore horn. Maybe not so good on a .500 or .508.
- Zane7734
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Jun 27, 2024
I’ve been looking into mouthpieces lately and trying to figure out what would work best for me on my King 2B. I’ve been going between 12c’s and 6 1/2’s but I’m not sure if I’m able to properly express myself in my playing through these or if I am having embouchure issues. Im looking for a mouthpiece that will suit me for jazz playing.
- Posaunus
- Posts: 5018
- Joined: Mar 23, 2018
[quote="Zane7734"]I’ve been looking into mouthpieces lately and trying to figure out what would work best for me on my King 2B. I’ve been going between 12c’s and 6 1/2’s but I’m not sure if I’m able to properly express myself in my playing through these or if I am having embouchure issues. Im looking for a mouthpiece that will suit me for jazz playing.[/quote]
Think outside the Bachs. (A narrow, limiting enclosure!)
Suggestion: Consult with an expert / trombone-playing teacher before you waste your money experimenting on numerous alternatives.
Think outside the Bachs. (A narrow, limiting enclosure!)
Suggestion: Consult with an expert / trombone-playing teacher before you waste your money experimenting on numerous alternatives.
- CalgaryTbone
- Posts: 1460
- Joined: May 10, 2018
2 quick suggestions to try -
I think the 6BY is made specifically for the Yamaha 321 Euphonium - I think the 6BS is essentially the same, but the fit and the backbore might fit your trombone better.
The 7CS is a shallower version of that mouthpiece (same rim size). If you are looking for a brighter sound on the trombone, that might work.
These choices would all have the same rim that you are used to, in case that is what you want.
Jim Scott
I think the 6BY is made specifically for the Yamaha 321 Euphonium - I think the 6BS is essentially the same, but the fit and the backbore might fit your trombone better.
The 7CS is a shallower version of that mouthpiece (same rim size). If you are looking for a brighter sound on the trombone, that might work.
These choices would all have the same rim that you are used to, in case that is what you want.
Jim Scott
- OneTon
- Posts: 757
- Joined: Nov 02, 2021
Alstair Kay was one of the consultants for the Yamaha 697Z, which is a very close clone of a 2B. He used a slightly altered version of the Bach 11C. Ian MacDougall played the 697Z, and a production anomaly of a Bach 11C, which Marcinkiewicz markets under his name. The new Bach 11C mouthpieces have less variation and are good. Faxx makes a 7C, which is a copy of a Bach Mount Vernon 7C. Al Kay said that a Schilke 47 is a good mouthpiece and would work as well. The 12C and 11C were used a lot in the past. 6 1/2 AL is a popular mouthpiece that probably had more traction for larger bore trombone players, at least in the past. It could work for you. Ian MacDougall told me to pick one and stick with it. I play a Bach Mount Vernon 11C. My second trombone player uses a slightly altered Bach 12C by Al Kaplan. It works for him. Lessons and/or a lesson with Doug Elliott would probably help.
- Northernigel
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Feb 28, 2024
I've just bought an immaculate Olds Special (in the UK). It came with original Olds 12c mouthpiece and as a combi it works really well. The lower register is much easier than I was expecting on a small bore horn with a tiny mouthpiece.
Also, in the box is the Original Warranty and purchase reciept from Comos Music Company Ltd, in Canada. First bought for 389.50 Canadian Dollars in 1981.
Congratulation to everyone who's owned this horn over the years for keeping everything together as a unit.
As a contrast I bought a new Conn 6H Victor in 1979 (with my first few pay cheques) and I was encouraged to dump the supplied mouthpiece for a Dennis Wick. I still have the horn but the mouthpiece is long gone.
Also, in the box is the Original Warranty and purchase reciept from Comos Music Company Ltd, in Canada. First bought for 389.50 Canadian Dollars in 1981.
Congratulation to everyone who's owned this horn over the years for keeping everything together as a unit.
As a contrast I bought a new Conn 6H Victor in 1979 (with my first few pay cheques) and I was encouraged to dump the supplied mouthpiece for a Dennis Wick. I still have the horn but the mouthpiece is long gone.