Advice on MP please

Leeway · Veteran Member Joined: 06 Sep 2019 Posts: 141

I bought an old Pocket Cornet recently.
It has the original mp, a 7c with a harsh bite and feels like a bucket.

I like vintage Martin trumpet MPs so I found a vintage Martin No.7 Cornet mp and ordered it. I'd like a shallow mp option for my Cornet but I've never seen one.

I did see a Schilke Piccolo Trumper mp (8A4x) with a Cornet Shank and wondered if that would work in my Cornet?

Is the Schilke mp meant to be used in a Cornet if it has a Cornet Shank?

nltrumpet · Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2021 4:54 pm Post subject:

A Schilke cornet mouthpiece will probably work fine. Can’t say I’ve ever seen an 8A4x, but it’ll work fine. The x backbore isn’t often used with a cornet, but it’s possible that a larger backbore like that could help open up the sound of a pocket cornet.

Leeway · Veteran Member Joined: 06 Sep 2019 Posts: 141

Thanks Nathan. The 8A4X I've seen is actually a s/h Piccolo Trumpet mp. Will this still.l work and achieve what I'm wanting?

I take it that Piccolos can use either a Trumpet or Cornet mp depending on the Shank used in the instrument.

The other option I've seen that might work for me is a Schilke 13A4a Cornet mp which is described as shallow cup, wide, flattish Rim and ideal for high end register and lead playing

The reason I was considering the Piccolo mp is that it has a Cornet Shank and is half the price of what I would be paying for the 13A4a Cornet mp, which I can only find new atm.

Dale Proctor · Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2021 10:00 pm Post subject:

I played a Schilke 8A4 (without the X) cornet mouthpiece on an old cornet for years. It’s a fairly shallow funnel with a wide rim. I used it mainly for endurance on long, demanding gigs, but it doesn’t produce a very mellow cornet tone. I recently had Mark Curry make one of his 3C. mouthpieces with a cornet shank for me, and I really like it. Not acceptable for anything like brass band, but produces a pleasing tone and is really easy to play and comfortable.
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"Brass bands are all very well in their place - outdoors and several miles away ." - Sir Thomas Beecham

Leeway · Veteran Member Joined: 06 Sep 2019 Posts: 141

TKSop · Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2021 11:12 pm Post subject:

Leeway · Veteran Member Joined: 06 Sep 2019 Posts: 141

TKSop · Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2021 3:40 am Post subject:

Dale Proctor · Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2021 7:48 am Post subject:

I wouldn’t use a 13A4a on a cornet - it’s a very radical mouthpiece that most people can’t use with good results. It’s very shallow with an extremely tight blow. As for the length of Schilke cornet mouthpieces, they are slightly longer than most cornet mouthpieces, with a smaller diameter at the tip. Because of that, they can bottom out before they seat if your cornet has a ridge in the end of the receiver that produces a gap. Some cornets do, and many don’t. My Bach 184 cornet does have a ridge, and Schilke mouthpieces won’t fit it correctly. As far as compensating for the tuning of a cornet that plays flat, the extra insertion depth of a Schilke mouthpiece won’t help, because the mouthpiece is longer, so the combined length of the mouthpiece and cornet remains the same as when using a standard cornet mouthpiece.
_________________
"Brass bands are all very well in their place - outdoors and several miles away ." - Sir Thomas Beecham

Abraxas · Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2021 1:03 pm Post subject:

I ended up with some Curry 600 series MPCs purely by accident and now I'll never want for another. I'm now duplicating them in Trumpet, i like the cornet pieces so much. If you are simply wanting to expand your range, try a 30 M. Not saying cause it works for me, it must work for everyone, but gosh what a BIG difference. I preserved the bottom end and tone across the range. I might have tried a 40m in retrospect but man this 30m is nice.

Leeway · Veteran Member Joined: 06 Sep 2019 Posts: 141

Seems I'm on the wrong track altogether.

I'll wait for my Martin mp to turn up and see how that works.

I play just for enjoyment and an ongoing challenge these days, my pro days are long gone.

I'll keep looking for a vintage Martin mp in a 10 and grab one if it turns up.

The other trumpet mp that works for me is the Conn 5, maybe there's a Conn Cornet mp in a 5 out there somewhere!

Mouthpieces are such a head****!!!

Thanks to all for their input.