Wick 3 vs 3B vs 3B Heavytop

[Mdbri]

I need a good cornet mouthpiece, and I have narrowed it down to 3 Denis Wick mouthpieces.

Anyone care to comment on the differences among Wick 3, 3B and 3B Heavytop?
I prolly won't be able to find all 3 to try, so I'll order on-line.

Thanks.

[BedfordTrumpeter]

My experience is with the Wick 4 series, but I imagine one can apply my conclusions to the 3 series.

With regard to 3 vs. 3B, I think it depends on the kind of playing you do. If you're front-row in a brass band, I would opt for the B cup. I found the Wick 4 just too difficult to play longer upper register lines. Some of this may be due to my cornet, a B&H Sovereign, which I think has a stuffy upper register to begin with. Nonetheless, I found the B cup to be helpful when playing Solo Cornet parts. It will also brighten up a bit when you push it. While not always desirable in a BBB setting, the added zing works nicely on jazz arrangements or if you want to play dixieland.

If you're in the back row, the Wick 3 will provide more richness and darkness to your sound, especially in the middle and lower register.

As for standard vs. heavytop, that comes down to personal preference. I play a Wick 4B heavytop, but I only chose the heavytop because it was handy -- a bandmate sold it to me. He swears it helps his endurance (I've heard similar claims about the Bach megatone series for trumpet) but I never tested it against a 4B standard.
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[Landrewp]

The choice between a 3 and a 3B depends on what type of playing you are using it for and how you sound on it. I don't have a good sound on a 3B but know of others that sound really good on it. Stamina is better on the 3B and the sound is brighter.

If you can't choose between a classic and a heavytop why not get a classic and a mouthpiece booster. The mouthpiece booster converts a classic mouthpiece into a heavy top.

[Flattergrub]

You will also want to add the Wick "Heritage" model into the mix. For starters I would narrow the search to a Wick 3 "Heritage" and a Wick standard 3. The sound is to die for. Most players in British championship level BBBs play on the deeper Wick models and not the shallower "B" cup models and that includes front row solo and rep. players.
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Smith Watkins "Soloist" cornet with K2 and T4 leadpipes and Denis Wick RW4 mpc

[BedfordTrumpeter]

[etc-etc]

Do not discount the now-discontinued (how's that for a tongue-twister) Roger Webster's Denis Wick lineup - these are great for playing, even though they slide out too easily from your hands (no ridge to grab onto).

[Flattergrub]

[Mdbri]

Thanks for the advice and experiences shared.

I'm trying to remember why I wouldn't consider a Heritage mp.

I'll be using cornet as a mellow jazz horn and an alternative to a pocket trumpet. I really like the sound of cornet.

[Richard III]

I think some degree of matching of feel and response to your trumpet mouthpiece would be advantageous. What are you using for your trumpet?

That's been a challenge for me. I use a pocket trumpet to practice on at work, but it's all cornet the rest of the time.
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Richard

King 1130 Flugabone
King 12C mouthpiece

[jhatpro]

I played Wick and Wick Heritage until I discovered Mark Curry's BBC series. Better Brass band sound and playability for less money. Available at www.mouthpieceexpress.com
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Jim Hatfield

"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus

2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle

[Landrewp]

If you're switching between trumpet and coret you may find the shallower 3b easier.

[lmf]

[GordonH]

[Dale Proctor]

Ditto on the Curry BBC. I played on a DW 4B for a few years, and then switched to a DW Heritage 4B on my large bore cornets. Nice mouthpieces, but I recently bought a Curry 3BBC and man, is it easier to play! No sacrifice in tone, either, but it has a somewhat more clear tone than the Wick, which I would describe as sounding a little "fuzzy" in comparison.
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"Brass bands are all very well in their place - outdoors and several miles away ." - Sir Thomas Beecham

[lmf]

[Mr. Stomvi]

[Mdbri]

Lloyd, thanks for your detailed reply.

Curry BBC seems like a good idea, I'll take it into account.

The cornet is a nice little Kanstul-made Besson, and my trumpet mouthpiece is an Obrac copy of Monette B4. It's the best mp I've played so far (I've tried Yamaha 14B4, 16D; Bach 7C; Selmer 5S 5).

[GordonH]

Very few responses to that thread on the mouthpiece so its hard to be definitive. The Alliance mouthpieces come in deep "b" and " a" versions. The "a" is v shaped but shallower. The Yamaha mouthpieces are similar to those.

It all depends what instruments they are playing on, but I don't think that the majority of championship section players are using wick no letter mouthpieces. I mean just having a think through one or two people I know, one is playing a wick heavyweight and I think that only comes in B cup.

I was invited to join a band in that section earlier n the year and have agreed to guest at non contest engagements if they need me. So on those days you can add the Curry BBC to the list of mouthpieces being used!
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Bb - Scherzer 8218W, Schilke S22, Bach 43, Selmer 19A Balanced
Pic - Weril
Flugel - Courtois 154
Cornet - Geneva Heritage, Conn 28A
Mouthpieces - Monette 1-5 rims and similar.

Licensed Radio Amateur - GM4SVM

[BudBix]

Richard Marshall used an Alliance 1 when he played with us last fall before that he played a wick 2. (He is the principal with Black Dyke)

[FrankM]

Many on here bemoan their efforts using a Wick 4. Yet no one seems to consider the Wick 4 1/2. Unfortunately Wick don't do a 3 1/2.

I'm getting a sense that the Curry BBC 3 or 2 supplies the missing link.

Anything in this? Frank.