Thoughts on the two? I currently play on a Doug Yeo Replica, but it feels way too big in the upper register.

Markey 87

The rim of the GP6 will feel closer to the Yeo.

[quote="basstrombonejw"]Thoughts on the two? I currently play on a Doug Yeo Replica, but it feels way too big in the upper register.[/quote] What bass trombone are you playing, and what's your level of experience? I see a LOT of Doug Yeo replica mouthpieces in the wild, probably because they are big, open, and relatively inexpensive, but I've also had several bass trombone friends say the exact same thing about it. The throat is pretty big, the cup is pretty wide, and the cup is also pretty freaking deep and huge.

What other mouthpieces have you played on in the past and/or tried?

[quote="tbonesullivan"]<QUOTE author="basstrombonejw" post_id="277133" time="1748498270" user_id="19448">
Thoughts on the two? I currently play on a Doug Yeo Replica, but it feels way too big in the upper register.[/quote] What bass trombone are you playing, and what's your level of experience? I see a LOT of Doug Yeo replica mouthpieces in the wild, probably because they are big, open, and relatively inexpensive, but I've also had several bass trombone friends say the exact same thing about it. The throat is pretty big, the cup is pretty wide, and the cup is also pretty freaking deep and huge.

What other mouthpieces have you played on in the past and/or tried?
</QUOTE>

I currently play on a Shires Q36YA! I play in my school orchestra, and I made CA All State in my Sophomore and Junior Year, so I'd say I'm slightly experienced. My main issue with the Yeo is that the upper register feels too airy and unfocused, and I find myself getting tired pretty quickly. The throat is huge, so I lose my air almost instantly. Other then that, it's great; the low and mid register feels super stable and powerful, and the rim feels really good on my face. In terms of what I played in the past, I used to use a Bach 1.5G, then a Shires 1 1/4 MD.

The Yeo is an improvement on the Schilke 60, specifically designed to improve issues the Schilke 60 has in the upper register. Namely, the backbore design in the 60 causes the upper register to go flat, and the wall is so thin that you lose some of that stability and depth of sound you get from a heavier blank.

So the problem in the upper register for you is probably because the Yeo replica is simply too large for you to play with solid mechanics. Doug Yeo saw it as "designed for stability and endurance in the upper register" because when he was designing it, he was one of the best, foremost bass trombonists on the planet.

It's the same thing with the Alessi 1C -- when you got that one it's like you just lucked into the Elder Wand but instead of being Dumbledore using it you're Hermione Granger or Harry Potter. They are great wizards but let's face it, the Elder Wand is Dumbledore's.

I'd probably go Markey 85 first.

The GP and GP6 are fine mouthpieces, but the markeys do everything they do and then a bunch more. I'd call them obsolete personally.

[quote="basstrombonejw"]I currently play on a Shires Q36YA!

I used to use a Bach 1.5G, then a Shires 1 1/4 MD.[/quote]

First of all, check which leadpipe you're using. I see a lot of young players stick the #3 pipe in because it feels most free-blowing right away. Try the 2.

Then I suggest you go back to the 1 1/4 MD. That's a really good mouthpiece, similar to the Markey 85 Aidan is recommending.

[quote="harrisonreed"]So the problem in the upper register for you is probably because the Yeo replica is simply too large for you to play with solid mechanics. Doug Yeo saw it as "designed for stability and endurance in the upper register" because when he was designing it, he was one of the best, foremost bass trombonists on the planet.[/quote] This. I've only been to a few master classes in person, but we had one at Rutgers, over 20 years ago now, with Michael Mulcahy from the CSO. A bass trombone student was up, and his sound was a bit diffuse, particularly in the higher range, and he was having endurance issues. Michael asked about his mouthpiece, and how long he'd been using it, and then asked if he had a smaller one with him.

The improvement was immediate and easy to hear. More clarity, less diffuse sound, etc etc etc. I wasn't even playing bass at the time, so I didn't think to find out exactly what mouthpieces were involved, though this was back in 2001 or so, before Griego, Hammond, LI Brass Co, and others were even in existence. That was also around the time everyone was going for bigger and heavier equipment if I recall.

I play mostly orchestral stuff, so having explosive and loud pedal tones is really not even on my radar for what I want out of my mouthpiece and horn. It also means that going up to a high Bb is not out of the ordinary, such as in Chabrier's Espana, or in the OG Star Wars March by John Williams, where G above the staff is needed loud and clear right in the opening fanfares, and later. And then there's the Farandole from Bizet's L'Arlésienne Suite No.2

It's true that for a long time there were quite a few variations on the sizes of the 1-1/2G and Schilke 60, but very few options in between.

I've seen it argued that there was a good reason for that - that those two sizes represent two different ways of playing bass trombone and the compromise in the middle didn't really work for either way, but I never really believed that. I learned to play on a Schilke 59 and then a Doug Elliott that was basically the same size (LB112/K), and then as my needs evolved (or at least my curiosity) I went down the custom mouthpiece rabbit hole.

In any event it's no longer the case. There are a lot of good options for bass trombonists to try - bigger, smaller, and in between. Most of my students play something in the Schilke 59 or GP or Markey 85/87 range. I've ended up with a Doug Elliott that's about the size of a 60 but much easier to play and make a vibrant sound on in every register.

[quote="GabrielRice"]<QUOTE author="basstrombonejw" post_id="277194" time="1748567035" user_id="19448">
I currently play on a Shires Q36YA!

I used to use a Bach 1.5G, then a Shires 1 1/4 MD.[/quote]

First of all, check which leadpipe you're using. I see a lot of young players stick the #3 pipe in because it feels most free-blowing right away. Try the 2.

Then I suggest you go back to the 1 1/4 MD. That's a really good mouthpiece, similar to the Markey 85 Aidan is recommending.
</QUOTE>

I use the default 2. I tried the 3 but it was way too open. Unfortunately, I sold the 1 1/4MD to a friend, so I'll probably just go for the Markey 85.