Bass Trumpet
- officermayo
- Posts: 654
- Joined: Jun 09, 2021
Recently picked up a bass trumpet for use in church orchestra. The acoustics in the sanctuary make my euphonium stick out like a sore thumb (not enough room for my trombone), so I tried the bass trumpet and now I blend much better with the other brass. Started off using an old Bach 17C but didn't like the sound. On the advice of more experienced bass trumpet players I got a Bach 22D and now I'm happy with the sound I produce.
Anyone else play the bass trumpet and if so, what mp do you use?
Anyone else play the bass trumpet and if so, what mp do you use?
- CheeseTray
- Posts: 115
- Joined: Apr 21, 2018
A shallow cup is definitely the right approach for bass trumpet. I have a Getzen which I have played extensively over the years (mostly in orchestras). I've tried many different things but have been using the Marcinkiewicz ET4 (Lloyd Ulyate) for the past couple of years and found it to be very consistent in response top to bottom.
- Finetales
- Posts: 1482
- Joined: Mar 23, 2018
Right now I'm on a Bach Corp 12C for bass trumpet. Works better than my Bach 15, which works better on alto trombone. Neither of those mouthpieces feel like they're anywhere close to endgame, but they do the job for all zero times bass trumpet and alto trombone leave my apartment.
- JasonDonnelly
- Posts: 129
- Joined: Apr 23, 2018
I originally used an alto mouthpiece, a Greg Black NY 3A, which worked okay, but I switched to a JK 8G and that really helped my sound light up. It has a 25.25 mm rim diameter, which is probably about the smallest thing I can semi-comfortably fit on my face - the Bach 15C and 22C both felt impossibly small for me. I've since switched to using a JK 7F on alto, and that mouthpiece is also useful on bass trumpet if I want a slightly wider, less Wagnerian sound.
- Kbiggs
- Posts: 1768
- Joined: Mar 24, 2018
Doug Elliott XT 103/B/2
I wonder whether Harry’s mouthpieces might work?
I wonder whether Harry’s mouthpieces might work?
- harrisonreed
- Posts: 6479
- Joined: Aug 17, 2018
Both the A1 and A2 mouthpieces I make are shallower than a Bach 12C. In fact they are almost exactly between a Bach 17C (deeper) and 15EW (shallower). The difference between the A1 and A2 has to do with the entrance into the throat and the backbores, otherwise the cups are extremely similar.
That said, I have designed these for an Eb instrument. They are slightly shorter, and optimized to play in tune on an Eb instrument. They work pretty well on tenor but because they go in slightly further into the leadpipe, by design so that the alto trombone plays with just the right amount of resistance, they feel almost too open on small tenor. I don't know how they would play on bass trumpet. It might be awesome, especially if the bass trumpet usually plays "tight" (never played one!).
Bass trumpet played by trombonists to me always sounds too much like a baritone or French horn and nothing like a trumpet, almost like the compression is not quite right. Maybe it's supposed to be that way. I would want something that gives it a better trumpet quality and projection, and that would probably involve a longer shank and longer throat, making it unfamiliar feeling to trombonists. From what I could gather, the mouthpieces that people generally use on this instrument are either deeper than my alto designs, or very narrow with a conical cup, like the low numbered Schilkes. This probably explains some of the baritone vs french horn type sounds people are getting on them. Trumpet mouthpieces aren't like that. It's an interesting thing to think about.
That said, I have designed these for an Eb instrument. They are slightly shorter, and optimized to play in tune on an Eb instrument. They work pretty well on tenor but because they go in slightly further into the leadpipe, by design so that the alto trombone plays with just the right amount of resistance, they feel almost too open on small tenor. I don't know how they would play on bass trumpet. It might be awesome, especially if the bass trumpet usually plays "tight" (never played one!).
Bass trumpet played by trombonists to me always sounds too much like a baritone or French horn and nothing like a trumpet, almost like the compression is not quite right. Maybe it's supposed to be that way. I would want something that gives it a better trumpet quality and projection, and that would probably involve a longer shank and longer throat, making it unfamiliar feeling to trombonists. From what I could gather, the mouthpieces that people generally use on this instrument are either deeper than my alto designs, or very narrow with a conical cup, like the low numbered Schilkes. This probably explains some of the baritone vs french horn type sounds people are getting on them. Trumpet mouthpieces aren't like that. It's an interesting thing to think about.
- bitbckt
- Posts: 298
- Joined: Aug 19, 2020
DE XT 104/B/2 on an Elkhart Bach here, anything bigger gets into sounds like Harry is describing ("too much like a baritone or French horn"). In sound and approach, it is very much a trumpet.
- slidesix
- Posts: 107
- Joined: Jan 03, 2025
Officer Mayo, I think you are onto something here with the small bell. Like a heroic sounding sackbutt! But with more Trumpet than Sackbutt DNA. I agree on the trumpet mouthpiece should have more trumpet dna. You gotta keep the trumpet’ness of it there. Stay Heroic, my friend!
- officermayo
- Posts: 654
- Joined: Jun 09, 2021
[quote="slidesix"]Officer Mayo, I think you are onto something here with the small bell.[/quote]
Thanks!
It's not because I'm some kind of bass trumpet wiz - it's because the Schiller was all I could afford. :-)
Thanks!
It's not because I'm some kind of bass trumpet wiz - it's because the Schiller was all I could afford. :-)
- deanmccarty
- Posts: 224
- Joined: May 01, 2018
I use an Elliott 95B… plays great on my Holton bass trumpet
- davdud101
- Posts: 96
- Joined: Dec 06, 2023
I had one for a couple years. Mine was a Wessex where all three solder points holding the valve block to the bell spontaneously broke - only a few hours before a performance. It already struggled a bit with projection and I liked the tone, but after that repair, it was like blowing through a tube of concrete.
I hope your Schilller lasts way longer!
I hope your Schilller lasts way longer!
- officermayo
- Posts: 654
- Joined: Jun 09, 2021
[quote="davdud101"]I had one for a couple years. Mine was a Wessex where all three solder points holding the valve block to the bell spontaneously broke - only a few hours before a performance. It already struggled a bit with projection and I liked the tone, but after that repair, it was like blowing through a tube of concrete.
I hope your Schilller lasts way longer![/quote]
This is my 3rd Schiller horn (previously bought a baritone and a euphonium) in the last three years, and so far I've had no issues whatsoever with any of them.
I hope your Schilller lasts way longer![/quote]
This is my 3rd Schiller horn (previously bought a baritone and a euphonium) in the last three years, and so far I've had no issues whatsoever with any of them.
- officermayo
- Posts: 654
- Joined: Jun 09, 2021
My horn came in one of those cheap cases that are styrofoam covered with nylon. Due to being one eyed (no depth perception) and slightly crippled, I tend to bang cases around. I searched for a hard case but came up with nothing, so I DIYed a spare trombone case.
Surgically removed unneeded styrofoam, added some soft padding and covered it up with a remnant of plush fleece. Fits perfectly and was made with supplies on hand so, no out of pocket cost.
Surgically removed unneeded styrofoam, added some soft padding and covered it up with a remnant of plush fleece. Fits perfectly and was made with supplies on hand so, no out of pocket cost.
- Finetales
- Posts: 1482
- Joined: Mar 23, 2018
[quote="harrisonreed"]That said, I have designed these for an Eb instrument. They are slightly shorter, and optimized to play in tune on an Eb instrument.[/quote]
What about an Eb bass trumpet?
What about an Eb bass trumpet?
- harrisonreed
- Posts: 6479
- Joined: Aug 17, 2018
[quote="Finetales"]<QUOTE author="harrisonreed" post_id="293007" time="1769091015" user_id="3642">
That said, I have designed these for an Eb instrument. They are slightly shorter, and optimized to play in tune on an Eb instrument.[/quote]
What about an Eb bass trumpet?
</QUOTE>
There is only one way to find out!! :)
That said, I have designed these for an Eb instrument. They are slightly shorter, and optimized to play in tune on an Eb instrument.[/quote]
What about an Eb bass trumpet?
</QUOTE>
There is only one way to find out!! :)
- AtomicClock
- Posts: 1094
- Joined: Oct 19, 2023
[quote="officermayo"]I tend to bang cases around.[/quote]
Styrofoam cone in your bell. In ALL your bells.
Styrofoam cone in your bell. In ALL your bells.