Who IN THEIR RIGHT MIND plays a 5G?

paulyg · by **paulyg** » 2019-09-19 12:26 a.m.

I just thought I'd kick the hornet's nest and start a tenor trombone themed thread a-la the the 1.5G thread down below.

I've never had luck reaching my full potential on a 5G... but I am jealous of those who do.

Let's discuss these smaller (?) tenor pieces here.

Burgerbob · by **Burgerbob** » 2019-09-19 12:35 a.m.

I use a 5GS on my 3B... Does that count? :pant:

Mv2541 · by **Mv2541** » 2019-09-19 12:58 a.m.

After spending like 3 years on only 1.05 and 1.06 rims, I downsized to this 5.25 (1.02). I honestly don't know how I played such big stuff; everything feels better on more 'normal' stuff now. If someone posts a 5G Kitzman for sale I'll probably jump on it.

Burgerbob · by **Burgerbob** » 2019-09-19 1:14 a.m.

[quote="Mv2541"]After spending like 3 years on only 1.05 and 1.06 rims, I downsized to this 5.25 (1.02). I honestly don't know how I played such big stuff; everything feels better on more 'normal' stuff now. If someone posts a 5G Kitzman for sale I'll probably jump on it.[/quote]

I'm playing a 5.5 right now. I don't think they really fall into the 5G category, IMO... much larger in most respects. Mine feels larger than the GB 4G/5G I have by quite a bit. Definitely not the same sound you would get from a Bach 5G.

Doug_Elliott · by **Doug_Elliott** » 2019-09-19 1:53 a.m.

Lots of pieces that are labelled and advertised as"5G" are actually much bigger. Published specs sometimes have little relationship to reality. Even Bach 5G's are very inconsistent, both bigger and smaller than the specs.

Mv2541 · by **Mv2541** » 2019-09-19 2:40 a.m.

[quote="Burgerbob"]<QUOTE author="Mv2541" post_id="94162" time="1568869136" user_id="247">
After spending like 3 years on only 1.05 and 1.06 rims, I downsized to this 5.25 (1.02). I honestly don't know how I played such big stuff; everything feels better on more 'normal' stuff now. If someone posts a 5G Kitzman for sale I'll probably jump on it.[/quote]

I'm playing a 5.5 right now. I don't think they really fall into the 5G category, IMO... much larger in most respects. Mine feels larger than the GB 4G/5G I have by quite a bit. Definitely not the same sound you would get from a Bach 5G.
</QUOTE>

I totally agree, which is why I labeled it as a 1.02 sized piece. If we are talking broad terms, I definitely don't think the 5.25 feels/sounds like a traditional '5G' but I also don't think it sounds quite like a '4G' either. Maybe a good simile would be Griego 2 is to Bach 1.5 as GB NY 5.25/5.5 is to Bach 5G?

I was meaning to say that I have been wanting to get something closer to a classic 5, and perhaps the smaller everything (especially throat?) of the Kitzman will be closer to a traditional 5G.

JustinM · by **JustinM** » 2019-09-19 2:57 p.m.

I play symphonic tenor on a mouthpiece much smaller than a 5G--basically a 7C but one of Doug Elliott's rims. It's the ONLY thing that's ever worked for me for longer than the honeymoon period and I've had this for years. It's all about your facial structure. Don't let people pressure you into playing equipment that's too big just because that's what "everyone" does!

norbie2018 · by **norbie2018** » 2019-09-19 4:47 p.m.

I played 5g range mouthpieces for years until I discovered larger rims suit me better. It's a matter of trial and error sometimes.

Kdanielsen · by **Kdanielsen** » 2019-09-19 5:04 p.m.

PSA:

Greg Black NY/Alessi 5 point anything is larger than a normal 5G.

Griego Alessi 5 (any letter) is larger than a normal 5G.

Posaunus · by **Posaunus** » 2019-09-19 5:45 p.m.

When I was regularly playing large-bore tenor (some years ago), I found my sweet spot was a Schilke 51 (better for me than a Bach 5G). I've now found a few other pieces that are at least as good (for me) – but all in (roughly) the same size range. :idk:

sirisobhakya · by **sirisobhakya** » 2019-09-19 10:42 p.m.

I use 5G-ish (actually Yamaha 51D) on small shank euphonium, and sometimes tenor trombone when I have to demonstrate to students. I quite like it, but that said, I don't often play the instruments that need the mouthpiece.

I also used Yamaha 51B for a short time as a "cheating" mouthpiece on my bass trombone. You can guess it did not work out very well. The mouthpiece is now rest in one of the school horn's case, disused. Maybe I will give it to one of the student playing euphonium later.

Kingfan · by **Kingfan** » 2019-09-19 11:23 p.m.

I play a gold 5G Megatone on my .547, and a 5 (or DE equivalent) on my small bores.

harrisonreed · by **harrisonreed** » 2019-09-20 5:08 a.m.

I don't understand why you would be jealous of people who "reach their full potential" on a 5G if something else works better for you. Kareem Abdul Jabbar couldn't reach his full potential if he wore size 10 shoes no matter how badly he tried.

Cmillar · by **Cmillar** » 2019-09-20 10:20 a.m.

C'mon...a 5G might be way too big for some players. Not everyone needs an 'Alessi/bass trombone' size piece on their tenor trombone.

For every player using something larger than a 5G equivalent, you'll find amazing sounds from players with something smaller that might actually suit their individual face and horn requirement.

There are "many roads to Rome".

Schlitz · 2019-09-20 1:22 p.m.

norbie2018 · by **norbie2018** » 2019-09-20 1:29 p.m.

I'm not speaking for the previous poster, but I took him to mean that Abdul would be restricted from reaching his full potential if he used the wrong sized shoes, much like a trombone player would be restricted with the wrong mp size. I thought the point was clear.

Posaunus · by **Posaunus** » 2019-09-20 1:43 p.m.

[quote="norbie2018"]I'm not speaking for the previous poster, but I took him to mean that Abdul would be restricted from reaching his full potential if he used the wrong sized shoes, much like a trombone player would be restricted with the wrong mp size. I thought the point was clear.[/quote]

:good:

Schlitz · 2019-09-20 1:50 p.m.

hyperbolica · by **hyperbolica** » 2019-09-20 3:56 p.m.

I used a 5g through high school and into conservatory. There is nothing inherently wrong with the size. At that time, I had a great range, high and low, which was a function of practice, and wasn't limited in any way by the mouthpiece. These days I use a much bigger mouthpiece, and my low range has kind of disappeared. But I don't play as much as I used to either.

harrisonreed · by **harrisonreed** » 2019-09-20 8:16 p.m.

[quote="norbie2018"]I'm not speaking for the previous poster, but I took him to mean that Abdul would be restricted from reaching his full potential if he used the wrong sized shoes, much like a trombone player would be restricted with the wrong mp size. I thought the point was clear.[/quote]

Schlitz attacks almost every post I make. I put them on the ignore list, so that I can't see what they post any more. Don't worry about it! :biggrin:

In this case, yes, I picked size ten because I thought that was the most common show size, sort of like a 5G. Can work for many but not all.

Schlitz · 2019-09-20 9:04 p.m.

paulyg · by **paulyg** » 2019-09-21 2:50 p.m.

So far this thread has proven that tenor trombone players are more catty and pedantic (figure that pun out) than bass trombonists! :biggrin:

norbie2018 · by **norbie2018** » 2019-09-21 3:11 p.m.

Boy, I miss the old forum.

harrisonreed · by **harrisonreed** » 2019-09-21 11:56 p.m.

[quote="norbie2018"]Boy, I miss the old forum.[/quote]

[quote="paulyg"]So far this thread has proven that tenor trombone players are more catty and pedantic (figure that pun out) than bass trombonists! :biggrin:[/quote]

Why did I even reply... And it was to someone who was sticking up for what I wrote at that.

Yet again, one person is able to put everyone else (apparently all tenor players) in a bad light based on a few replies from different people to that one specific person, none of which were even all that contentious.

I agree with Norbie at this point.

paulyg · by **paulyg** » 2019-09-22 12:14 a.m.

[quote="harrisonreed"]<QUOTE author="norbie2018" post_id="94349" time="1569093078" user_id="2978">
Boy, I miss the old forum.[/quote]

[quote="paulyg"]So far this thread has proven that tenor trombone players are more catty and pedantic (figure that pun out) than bass trombonists! :biggrin:[/quote]

Why did I even reply... And it was to someone who was sticking up for what I wrote at that.

Yet again, one person is able to put everyone else (apparently all tenor players) in a bad light based on a few replies from different people to that one specific person, none of which were even all that contentious.

I agree with Norbie at this point.
</QUOTE>

Did you miss the pun? It was a shoe-in...

Just trying to keep it light, and introspective here.

Schlitz · by **Schlitz** » 2019-09-22 1:30 a.m.

BrianJohnston · by **BrianJohnston** » 2020-11-02 10:54 a.m.

Bringing yet another forum back to life.

I play on a 5G(D) equiv, but never from Bach. I find other companies such as Hammond, GB, Yamaha usually produce nicer sounds.

Bach5G · by **Bach5G** » 2020-11-02 11:15 a.m.

Best trombone thread ever:

<LINK_TEXT text="https://trombonechat.com/viewtopic.php? ... mind#p2477">https://trombonechat.com/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=375&p=2477&hilit=In+their+right+mind#p2477</LINK_TEXT>

FOSSIL · by **FOSSIL** » 2020-11-02 3:30 p.m.

[quote="Bach5G"]Best trombone thread ever:

<LINK_TEXT text="https://trombonechat.com/viewtopic.php? ... mind#p2477">https://trombonechat.com/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=375&p=2477&hilit=In+their+right+mind#p2477</LINK_TEXT>[/quote]

Ahhh....I just went back and had a peek....2006... long time ago. lots of respected players chipping in... nice.

Chris

Basbasun · by **Basbasun** » 2020-11-03 4:56 a.m.

In my 547 tenor I have a 5G, I like it, it worked for me, but I really have no place to play that horn, so there is no reason to test another mpc for that horn. It was a very common mpc for 547 bore horn in Sweden just 20 years ago.

flotrb · by **flotrb** » 2020-11-05 9:23 a.m.

Would it not be better to first read the post title and comment on the subject itself, rather than to begin with the implied statement: " I'm not a real doctor, but I play one on TV"?

ArbanRubank · by **ArbanRubank** » 2020-11-05 10:06 a.m.

I hesitate somewhat to mention this, but I am, in fact, using a Bach 5G in my single-trigger Yamaha 421G bass trombone! Love it! It enables me to play anything I want at home; from say, contrabass Eb - up to about as high as I can play on any tenor and everything in-between with remarkable clarity.

Super nice to be able to easily play a ballad using three octaves. I generally play the complicated stuff up in tenor and the slower, more mellow parts down in bass. Love the flexibility and range it allows me. I usually write my ballads out in a lower range b/c for some odd reason, it's easier for me to transpose up an octave when I want to rather than transposing down an octave. Probably just what I'm more used to.

Oh, and I check myself with a tuner relentlessly. I find no wonkiness in intonation anywhere. That "small" of a mpc actually helps me play way down low in tune better.

I don't know why this seemingly strange combination works for me and I don't really care why. All I care about is making the kind of music I want to make with the sound I want.

Jimprindle · by **Jimprindle** » 2020-11-05 10:10 p.m.

Silly question.

Who in their RIGHT MIND drives Toyota Honda Ford etc. i’ve run across lots of people who like to play Holton Trombones, I never liked them. But they like them. Also people who swear by Wick mouthpieces. Not me. But they love them. People like all kinds of stuff.

The important thing is that whatever you pick to use it helps you be a better musician.

rmb796 · by **rmb796** » 2020-11-07 12:06 p.m.

Frank Chrisifulli did a real nice job for the Chicago Symphony on a Schilke 51C4 !!

Posaunus · by **Posaunus** » 2020-11-07 12:15 p.m.

Los Angeles Philharmonic back in the day:

Ralph Sauer - Schilke 51

Byron Peebles - Schilke 51C4

BGuttman · by **BGuttman** » 2020-11-07 12:18 p.m.

When I was a kid most trombones came with 12C mouthpieces. It got a reputation as a "starter mouthpiece" which it really didn't deserve. If your embouchure fits a 12C, it's best for you. Same for the 5G, which has now become the "average mouthpiece". If it fits you it's a great mouthpiece. But if your embouchure needs a 12C, it's a lousy mouthpiece.

Bach5G · by **Bach5G** » 2020-11-07 1:06 p.m.

I don’t see an issue with a Bach 5G.

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Who IN THEIR RIGHT MIND plays a 5G?