Shallow Cup - Big or Small Backbore? (for Lead)

Souperman

I have my opinions on this topic, but I'm curious about what others have to say. For example, if you use Warburton S cups for lead, what are the positives and negatives using a small backbore (like a 5 or KT or Q) and positives and negatives using a larger backbore (like an 8 or 9 or larger)?
Or, should it be a compromise?

I'd love to hear from anyone who has experimented with all this. Thanks!

dbacon · Heavyweight Member Joined: 11 Nov 2001 Posts: 8592

You leave you out of the equation. What works for me, my physical characteristics and trumpet as well as the work I play and age/experience, these are the significant variables. Not throat or bore size.

I like a 25 throat for my SV/B5 Warburton on a LB trumpet. What I like may not work for you, what you like may not work for me. A 3 may sound perfect for you. That's more edge than I like, same for the Q.

You can get Maynard's exact mouthpiece/trumpet and not play at your best. The backbore you play best on would probably not work for Maynard.

Add you to the mix. Have Terry make you a 5, 7. See how you sound over at least 30 days. Then tell us what works for you. Go for the best sound/pitch/response you can, the high register will follow with great practice and your individual talent and training.

fuzzyjon79 · Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2004 9:49 am Post subject:

As far as Warburton goes... the SV cup with a KT* backbore really sizzled for me!!!! I was very impressed with this setup, but it may not work for you. It's always worth a try though.
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DCB1 · Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2004 10:01 am Post subject:

It would also depend on the horn. On my French Besson I used a 8ES and a 12 bb. On a more open horn you may need to go a little smaller... unless you want a big fat sound and you would want a deeper cup.
Record yourself playing in a large room and see what sound you like the best. Also have a friend (with good ears) tell you what the sound is like out in the room.
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_londonhusker · Heavyweight Member Joined: 13 Oct 2002 Posts: 658

Dave's absolutely right.

Begin with avoiding extremes.... with Warburtons that probably means sticking to backbore sizes 5-8 for general testing. I believe that both the most open (10-12) and most restrictive (1-3) choices, unless you have had lots of experience with really diverse equipment (or play a ML horn in a symphony), rarely need be considered, and that Terry's range is almost complete without them.

After much testing (18 months in total), I had acquired a few tops and a few backbores that work very well together, and with me doing the playing.

Prime considerations for me were:

1. Sound that matches my internal concept for each instrument
2. Consistency of pitch throughout playing range and dynamic levels
3. Great and predictable playability
4. Same rim for trumpet, cornet, and flugelhorn

I followed the recommended approach Terry posted on his website, and found it very methodical and efficient. The trumpet is a 1979 Calicchio 1s/7 (.468), the cornet is a medium bore 1968 Boosey & Hawkes Imperial, and the Flugelhorn is a 1977 Yamaha 231. The mouthpieces selected (for me) help smooth out differences in playing characteristics, making doubling much easier as well. The resulting preferences are as follows:

Trumpet..... 5M/KT* for lead playing
5M/Q for section playing
5MD/KT* for solo work

Cornet....... 5BC/BC10 for British, traditional
5MD/KT* for American/Clarke stuff

Flugelhorn... 5FLX for everything

I found that I should not get the backbore too open on the trumpet as pitch issues would creep in. I have an old eBay 8* that would work well on another setup, but not on mine with me playing. My old cornet on the other hand likes a more open backbore, and still plays really well in tune with the BC10. The student-line Yamaha's sound and response really improved a ton with the FLX.

I'm really happy with the results of the safari.

DCB1 · Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2004 11:13 am Post subject:

Correction... 1-3 are the tightest blowing and the 10-12 are the freest blowing.
Get a few sizes, mid size, and see what you like the best.
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_londonhusker · Heavyweight Member Joined: 13 Oct 2002 Posts: 658

DCB1,

Correction has been made. Why do I do that?!!!

dbacon · Heavyweight Member Joined: 11 Nov 2001 Posts: 8592

DCB1 · Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2004 1:58 pm Post subject:

It's the fog....

Maybe he is in a fog... just kidding.
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John 14:6
Member since 2001
Curry
Bach
Selmer Radial
Kanstul
Holton
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Conn