Karl Hammond Design Mouthpiece

ThatOneSlime · New Member Joined: 24 Mar 2016 Posts: 10

Hello, currently a high school trumpet player and am searching for a mouthpiece that could help darken up my sound, has anyone played a Hammond 5ML that could give a recommendation on it? How are the Hammond mouthpieces in general? Looking to replace the Yamaha 16C4 that came with my Xeno as it seems to give me a brighter sound than I would like.

JJMDestino · Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2016 5:30 pm Post subject:

I have been playing Hammond mouthpieces for a while now. Karl is a great guy that makes some pretty great stuff. The 5ML will feel smaller than your Yamaha 16C4. The 5ML is a very comfortable rim to me. The 5ML also has a bit larger throat, however Karl's pieces have a nice balance to them. As for getting a darker sound, I'm not sure. I have a few Yamaha pieces and I feel the Hammonds have a more complex sound. Try the 4ML if you want to stay close in size to the Yamaha 16, or try the 5ML if you want to downsize a bit. I use the 4ML and some custom pieces with a 5 rim for commercial work.

ThatOneSlime · New Member Joined: 24 Mar 2016 Posts: 10

I know the 5 is supposed to be the darkest sound they have, and that's what I'm going for.

Irving · Heavyweight Member Joined: 11 Feb 2003 Posts: 1887

I have a 3ML, and it does seem to favor the lows in the sound. Call it dark if you will. It has an open blow, even though the dimensions don't seem big. Nice rim. Not enough bite for me. I can see that some players would like this setup. I can't make it work precisely because it takes the brilliance out of the sound. It might be a good choice for somebody that has a very bright sound.

JJMDestino · Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2016 8:31 pm Post subject:

The 5ML is not his darkest piece. It's what Karl would tell you to try if you are wanting something similar to a 3C sized piece. The ML cup can be bright or dark as it is well balanced. The L cup would be darker than the ML.

Thattumpetguy · Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2016 12:23 pm Post subject:

The rim sizes really dont effect the sound much if at all, in my experience. Its all about cup shape, which in the hammond line stays pretty consistent throughout. If youre looking for an overall better sound with more color, complexity and depth, get the 4ml. If youre looking for an overall better sound with more color, complexity, and depth with better endurance, get the 5ml. I wouldnt go bigger than a 4 or smaller than a 5.. large changes could result in issues in your playing. Theyre great mouthpieces. I would lean more to the 5ml, as that rim size is a lot more versatile.. depending on the type of music youll be playing. Hope this helps!

All the best

Stephen
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Thattumpetguy · Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2016 12:45 pm Post subject:

A kid in highschool does NOT need to be playing on an L cup. The ML cup is perfect to develop your playing on. L cup would promote bad technique in a young player.
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JJMDestino · Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2016 12:51 pm Post subject:

Thattrumpetguy, I agree that generally a younger player should probably avoid something as deep as the L cup. However, I don't know this person's current ability. Just stating that the ML is not his darkest sounding piece. Dillon Music carries a trial policy and also has Hammond pieces at a slight discount right now. You could order the 5ML and the 4ML and have a few days to decide which one you like better and return the other.

John Mohan · Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2016 4:15 pm Post subject:

ALaschiver · Heavyweight Member Joined: 26 Feb 2005 Posts: 639

John Mohan is absolutely correct. You might consider calling Karl directly. He will help you and may even answer the phone.

Here is an adage or two that may apply:

"make haste, slowly" and

"if it's not broke, don't fix it...or keep fixing it, until it is broke" (the bad grammar is not mine..the "saying" just goes like that)

Alan

Vin DiBona · Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2016 5:20 pm Post subject:

Talk to Karl! You are guessing at what you think you need. Karl has set up some of the world's finest players and will ask you questions no one here can.
Deeper mouthpieces are not necessarily "darker" whatever that really means. Quite frankly, most people have no clue what is dark and bright. If the piece is too big, you get too much lip in the cup which can actually raise the fundamental.
R. Tomasek

PW-Factor · Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2016 6:32 pm Post subject:

I played a 5MLH with my C trumpet in college. It was the heavyweight blank and a slightly more open backbore. It was great for C, but sort of felt too big for my Bb at the time. I play a custom Hammond 5 for most everything outside of symphony orchestra these days, and have a 5MV I play with from time to time for something slightly different.

I really love the Hammond 5 rim, but personally did NOT like the Yamaha 16C4 at all. If you like the 16C4 currently (how it feels), then the Hammond 5 may not be for you.
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Martinharris · Veteran Member Joined: 10 Dec 2015 Posts: 236

Your sound is too bright on a 16C4?
DAAAAAYYYYUMMM!!!
Dude that's not cool. 16C4 is way to big for me, it's like a 1 1/4C Bach.
On that mouthpiece, you should have a huge, fat sound.... So huge that most would be better off with a 3C/ 14B size because of the support and endurance benefits.

houdini1313 · Veteran Member Joined: 24 Feb 2008 Posts: 360

Please call Karl and ignore (most) comments here. Karl makes great mouthpieces (been playing his stuff since 2008) He will offer quality advice and years of experience finding what players are looking for, and his solutions. Best advice I saw on this thread was stay middle of the road, dont go too big (ML is great, but consult Karl), and practice a lot under some professional guidance!
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Mr. Bubbles · Regular Member Joined: 04 Oct 2019 Posts: 25

Has anyone played on Karl's S cup? I'm wondering if it's a C cup or V cup?

cheiden · Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2020 8:57 am Post subject:

I like Yamaha pieces but I don't love them, at least not for the Bb. On the picc and flugel I use and like Yamaha pieces. But for the Bb the Yamaha pieces I've used weren't satisfying. I much prefer the sound and response of the Bach pieces. Perhaps you should try a Bach 1.5C. The rim shape might be a bit of an adjustment, but you might like the sound better. To my ears there's more boom-sizzle if you know what I mean. The boom portion could satisfy your goal of darker and the sizzle keeps the tone lively. Great all-around piece if that rim size/shape works for you.
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