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Kennyg2019
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Joined: 15 Jan 2022
Posts: 261
Location: NY
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 Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 12:32 pm Post subject: "Soft" Mouthpiece Search |
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Hi,
I used to play a Schilke 15C4 and enjoyed the flat rim. It made the mouthpiece feel "soft" and increased endurance.
I've been away for 30+ years. Has there been any development in "soft" mouthpieces? Any that are even softer than the Schilke?
Thanks |
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JayKosta
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 24 Dec 2018
Posts: 3307
Location: Endwell NY USA
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| Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 12:56 pm Post subject: |
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A major factor in a how rim feels is the structure, shape, alignment, etc. of your teeth. And the amount of rim pressure you use.
For most players with fairly 'regular' teeth, using a good fitting 'conventional rim' playing up to about high-C should not require rim pressure that results in lip pain or injury. Endurance issues with playing high notes should be due to 'muscle fatigue'.
If the Schilke feels like it fits your lips & teeth, there probably isn't a need to search for another - unless / until some problems that are caused by the mouthpiece happen.
_________________
Most Important Note ? - the next one !
KNOW (see) what the next note is BEFORE you have to play it.
PLAY the next note 'on time' and 'in rhythm'.
Oh ya, watch the conductor - they set what is 'on time'. |
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kehaulani
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 23 Mar 2003
Posts: 9030
Location: Hawai`i - Texas
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| Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 1:03 pm Post subject: |
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I used to play a Schilke Model H (11) then Purviance/Reeves. I never paid any attention to the rims. But I just got a Curry 3C and I felt a difference right away. Nothing subtle. The rim of the Curry definitely felt "softer".
_________________
"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird
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Andy Cooper
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 15 Nov 2001
Posts: 1831
Location: Terre Haute, IN USA
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| Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 1:50 pm Post subject: |
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In the same size? Not really though you might check out the Best Brass rims.
Smaller - the Yamaha Hagstrom is kind of flat and wide.
Smaller - Schilke 12B4
Larger - Kelly Pro (plastic) - you might find it comfortable - it's just different.
Larger - David Hickman signature rim - medium cup - not the "Big Boy".
Custom - have a maker do your Schilke with a Neill Sanders rim.
Part of what you feel as "soft" may be where the high point of the rim is. Mouthpieces like the Hickman and Sanders have the high point closer to the outside of the rim and slope in a little to the bite.
If you were happy with the 15c4 why not stick with it. It has the same rim as the 15a4 - or pretty close. |
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Kennyg2019
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Joined: 15 Jan 2022
Posts: 261
Location: NY
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| Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 4:59 pm Post subject: |
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| kehaulani wrote: | | I just got a Curry 3C and I felt a difference right away. Nothing subtle. The rim of the Curry definitely felt "softer". |
Never heard of Curry, but it sounds like a winner!
As soon as I figure out what Schilke I like best, I will contact them.
Thanks! |
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Kennyg2019
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Joined: 15 Jan 2022
Posts: 261
Location: NY
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| Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 5:12 pm Post subject: |
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| Andy Cooper wrote: | In the same size? Not really though you might check out the Best Brass rims.
Smaller - the Yamaha Hagstrom is kind of flat and wide.
Smaller - Schilke 12B4
Larger - Kelly Pro (plastic) - you might find it comfortable - it's just different.
Larger - David Hickman signature rim - medium cup - not the "Big Boy".
Custom - have a maker do your Schilke with a Neill Sanders rim.
Part of what you feel as "soft" may be where the high point of the rim is. Mouthpieces like the Hickman and Sanders have the high point closer to the outside of the rim and slope in a little to the bite.
If you were happy with the 15c4 why not stick with it. It has the same rim as the 15a4 - or pretty close. |
Thanks. I never heard of these...especially a custom mouthpiece!
I like the Schilke 15C4 but I don't love it.
Plus, I think it will be fun to try different mouthpieces. |
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kehaulani
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 23 Mar 2003
Posts: 9030
Location: Hawai`i - Texas
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| Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 6:42 pm Post subject: |
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Ken, all the mouthpieces mentioned are well known brands. Maybe before you buy a new one, you might want to take a little time to familiar yourself with them.
_________________
"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird
Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Benge 3X Cornet
Adams F-1 Flghn |
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Kennyg2019
Veteran Member
Joined: 15 Jan 2022
Posts: 261
Location: NY
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| Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 6:51 pm Post subject: |
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| kehaulani wrote: | | Ken, all the mouthpieces mentioned are well known brands. Maybe before you buy a new one, you might want to take a little time to familiar yourself with them. |
Great idea! How would I go about doing that? |
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etc-etc
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 19 Jan 2008
Posts: 6187
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| Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 7:04 pm Post subject: |
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| Al Cass mouthpieces have very nice rims, too. |
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kehaulani
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 23 Mar 2003
Posts: 9030
Location: Hawai`i - Texas
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| Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 8:01 pm Post subject: |
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| Kennyg2019 wrote: | | kehaulani wrote: | | Ken, all the mouthpieces mentioned are well known brands. Maybe before you buy a new one, you might want to take a little time to familiar yourself with them. |
Great idea! How would I go about doing that? |
Uh, do an internet search by name of them? 
_________________
"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird
Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Benge 3X Cornet
Adams F-1 Flghn |
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Kennyg2019
Veteran Member
Joined: 15 Jan 2022
Posts: 261
Location: NY
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| Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 8:28 pm Post subject: |
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| kehaulani wrote: | | Kennyg2019 wrote: | | kehaulani wrote: | | Ken, all the mouthpieces mentioned are well known brands. Maybe before you buy a new one, you might want to take a little time to familiar yourself with them. |
Great idea! How would I go about doing that? |
Uh, do an internet search by name of them? |
Thanks. That will help narrow the field for sure. But if a mouthpiece is like everything else I ever owned (shoes, cars, food, clothes, etc.), then I will eventually have to take a few for a “test drive” to know for sure. Also, it’s been my experience that often what looks good on paper, doesn’t always work for me. |
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GeorgeB
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 20 Apr 2016
Posts: 1063
Location: New Glasgow, Nova Scotia
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| Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2022 4:08 am Post subject: |
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So far the most comfortable rims I have played are the Austin Custom Brass line of mouthpieces. The piece I use most for solo playing is the ACB5CS. Same size ( approx .640" ) as the Bach 5C which I used for the first 2 years of my comeback but for me it was a cookie cutter. The ACB 5CS is very comfortable.
I also use the ACB TA1 for band playing ( size .639" ). I use the ACB3CS off and on for both band and solo playing, but I sometimes find the size ( .650" ) steals endurance.
Here is their website:
www.austincustombrass.biz
Good luck,
George
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GeorgeB
1960s King Super 20 Silversonic
2016 Manchester Brass Custom
1938-39 Olds Recording
1942 Buescher 400 Bb trumpet
1952 Selmer Paris 21 B
1999 Conn Vintage One B flat trumpet
2020 Getzen 490 Bb
1962 Conn Victor 5A cornet |
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jairo_saade
Regular Member
Joined: 18 Jun 2020
Posts: 55
Location: Panamá
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| Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2022 5:37 am Post subject: |
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Hi,
There are several makers that have wide rim versions and some regular rims that feel wider and more cushion.
I agree with Austin Custom Brass TA1 being fairly comfortable.
My absolute favorite is AR Resonance, I bought a used piece from a fellow TH member and it has been my go to for a year and the end of a long safari. What defined it for me was that this mouthpiece is modular top+backbore and the top is in a 3c wide (MC Wide) configuration in bronze.
The idea behind the AR Resonance mouthpieces is that you choose the rim you want and then you mix and match with cups and backbore as you need for your playing (more air, less air, more cup depth, etc).
hope it helps.
_________________
Joe S |
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Kennyg2019
Veteran Member
Joined: 15 Jan 2022
Posts: 261
Location: NY
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| Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2022 6:10 am Post subject: |
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| GeorgeB wrote: | So far the most comfortable rims I have played are the Austin Custom Brass line of mouthpieces. The piece I use most for solo playing is the ACB5CS. Same size ( approx .640" ) as the Bach 5C which I used for the first 2 years of my comeback but for me it was a cookie cutter. The ACB 5CS is very comfortable.
I also use the ACB TA1 for band playing ( size .639" ). I use the ACB3CS off and on for both band and solo playing, but I sometimes find the size ( .650" ) steals endurance.
Here is their website:
www.austincustombrass.biz
Good luck,
George |
Thanks again, George!
I will definitely check out ACB...actually, I just ordered a P.E.T.E. from them! |
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Kennyg2019
Veteran Member
Joined: 15 Jan 2022
Posts: 261
Location: NY
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| Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2022 6:17 am Post subject: |
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| jairo_saade wrote: | Hi,
There are several makers that have wide rim versions and some regular rims that feel wider and more cushion.
I agree with Austin Custom Brass TA1 being fairly comfortable.
My absolute favorite is AR Resonance, I bought a used piece from a fellow TH member and it has been my go to for a year and the end of a long safari. What defined it for me was that this mouthpiece is modular top+backbore and the top is in a 3c wide (MC Wide) configuration in bronze.
The idea behind the AR Resonance mouthpieces is that you choose the rim you want and then you mix and match with cups and backbore as you need for your playing (more air, less air, more cup depth, etc).
hope it helps. |
George, thanks for these great tips. I'm going to contact ACB today for more information.
Just checked out the AR Resonance site. Wow...they look like works of art! If they sound as good as they look, then they are worth the premium price!
I like the comparison chart. That saves time! |
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kehaulani
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 23 Mar 2003
Posts: 9030
Location: Hawai`i - Texas
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| Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2022 7:23 am Post subject: |
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| Kennyg2019 wrote: |
Just checked out the AR Resonance site. Wow...they look like works of art! If they sound as good as they look, then they are worth the premium price! |
Most of this Forum's members seem to have either the time and/or money (and, perhaps, experience) to fine tune our mouthpiece choices. That doesn't mean we're wrong or that we make bad choices. But often our choices are in search of thet Holy Grail mouthpiece, so people keep fine-tuning their choices and paying premium prices to do it.
The matter of fact is, as impressive a site is Resonance, etc, and as good a mouthpiece as might be made, one doesn't have to pay premium prices for a mouthpiece, especially when they are, again, in a recovery mode.
Just a hunch, but I suspect the numerical sales of Bach and Yamaha, and perhaps Schilke, far exceed that of "designer" mouthpieces. You can, of course, buy what you want. And you might take more satisfaction in buying a Reeves over a Bach, but at your stage, you don't have to.
Enjoy the process and your new mouthpiece but just know that in your comeback, it's perfectly logical to start back up with your old mouthpiece type and wait until you have more sensitivity to what you are doing before buying a higher-priced mouthpiece.
_________________
"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird
Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Benge 3X Cornet
Adams F-1 Flghn
Last edited by kehaulani on Wed Jan 19, 2022 7:27 am; edited 1 time in total |
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GeorgeB
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 20 Apr 2016
Posts: 1063
Location: New Glasgow, Nova Scotia
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| Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2022 7:26 am Post subject: |
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I've been dealing with ACB ever since I came back. I bought several horns from them, and mouthpieces. They are a great bunch to deal with.
If you can, talk to Josh McDonald who is the mouthpiece man there and has been my contact over the years. He'll bend over backward for you. My best to you, Kenny. I am here for you anytime.
George
_________________
GeorgeB
1960s King Super 20 Silversonic
2016 Manchester Brass Custom
1938-39 Olds Recording
1942 Buescher 400 Bb trumpet
1952 Selmer Paris 21 B
1999 Conn Vintage One B flat trumpet
2020 Getzen 490 Bb
1962 Conn Victor 5A cornet |
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Kennyg2019
Veteran Member
Joined: 15 Jan 2022
Posts: 261
Location: NY
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| Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2022 7:32 am Post subject: |
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| kehaulani wrote: | | Kennyg2019 wrote: |
Just checked out the AR Resonance site. Wow...they look like works of art! If they sound as good as they look, then they are worth the premium price! |
Most of this Forum's members seem to have either the time and/or money (and, perhaps, experience) to fine tune our mouthpiece choices. That doesn't mean we're wrong or that we make bad choices. But often our choices are in search of thet Holy Grail mouthpiece, so people keep fine-tuning their choices and paying premium prices to do it.
The matter of fact is, as impressive a site is Resonance, etc, and as good a mouthpiece as might be made, one doesn't have to pay premium prices for a mouthpiece, especially when they are, again, in a recovery mode.
Just a hunch, but I suspect the numerical sales of Bach and Yamaha, and perhaps Schilke, far exceed that of "designer" mouthpieces. You can, of course, buy what you want. And you might take more satisfaction in buying a Reeves over a Bach, but at your stage, you don't have to.
Enjoy the process and your new mouthpiece but just know that in your comeback, it's perfectly logical to start back up with your old mouthpiece type and wait until you have more sensitivity to what you are doing before buying a higher-priced mouthpiece. |
Thanks for the words of wisdom! I will certainly start with what I have. Looking forward, I will start with regular mouthpieces as you suggest.
Do you know the Curry equivalent to the Schilke 15C4?
Thanks. |
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Kennyg2019
Veteran Member
Joined: 15 Jan 2022
Posts: 261
Location: NY
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| Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2022 7:42 am Post subject: |
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| GeorgeB wrote: | I've been dealing with ACB ever since I came back. I bought several horns from them, and mouthpieces. They are a great bunch to deal with.
If you can, talk to Josh McDonald who is the mouthpiece man there and has been my contact over the years. He'll bend over backward for you. My best to you, Kenny. I am here for you anytime.
George |
George, I appreciate your patience and empathy for a fellow Comeback!
I will definitely contact Josh.
Ken |
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kehaulani
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 23 Mar 2003
Posts: 9030
Location: Hawai`i - Texas
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| Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2022 9:54 am Post subject: |
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"Do you know the Curry equivalent to the Schilke 15C4?"
Ken, with all due respect, you can research this information, yourself. If you don't know how to use "search" functions just ask and I'm sure someone will help you.
_________________
"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird
Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Benge 3X Cornet
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