Lawler Bb

I just had to say this,

I am pretty sure a Wharfedale speaker is better than a Pioneer speaker!!

dizforprez

when i say that most i know use a certain type i am not talking about a bunch of college kids. i am talking about many people that have made up their minds and know what theyare talking about . it is not like i decided to play a 1 1/4 c beacsue all teh cool kids are doing it, it works best for me...and it so happens that alot of legit players use sizes close to that

gzent

diz,

I'll concede that you and your fellow players are serious and knowledgeable players.

My point has to do with common versus best equipment in the professional musician community.

Unfortunately, the majority of professional trumpeters are underpaid, so that really restricts how much money they can spend on equipment. Let's face it, its not like being a surgeon or a pro football player - they have the means to get the best equipment.

I just have a hard time believing that if the average pro trumpeter suddenly made ten times as much money that he would not spend more money on more expensive, possibly custom made equipment.

Consider the "big" names, Wynton, Maynard, Doc, Arturo, the Can. Brass... have made up their minds that the common equipment is not best for them. And I think they know their trade.

All players are unique, the "big" guys are lucky enough to buy equipment that accentuates their uncommon talents.

Just my 2cents.

Greg

MPM

rdt1959,

Kanstul has a very nice MTV 5C ... As a matter of fact I think Doc really likes a MTV 5C rim ... of course many different underparts depending on what music he's playing.

To one of your original questions, no ... there's nothing wrong with it. Good average sized mpc with medium playing characteristics, not favoring anything in particular.

Mikey

Doc's Mount Vernon 5C rim is very unique. He told me Vincent Bach made it for him many years ago, and it feels great on my chops. Only problem is, I have not found another one close to it. Kanstul has a good copy of the Moount Vernon 5C, but it has more bite than Doc's. Doc has many different underpants fitted to his rim. Bach, Reeves, GR......I asked him if he would send his rim to Kanstul to get some copies and he said "no way".........

It's amazing Doc can play this rim, because it has more dings and pits in it than a Minnesota highway in winter........



Mike

uatrmpt

You have to remember that orchestral musicians playing larger equipment is a relatively recent development. Before Bud Herseth the standard equipment was much smaller....even Bud played on a 7C in his early days. It was only an accident which caused him to go on a mouthpiece safari which led him to the large mouthpiece....not because of the sound, but beause it let him feel his chops after they were injured.

I would be willing to bet that most orchestral pros play the equipment they do because that's what their teachers played and that's what they've been playing for the past 30 years. My teacher hadn't even hear of a Stork mouthpiece until he saw the one I was playing on.

I believe that equipment should be tailored to the individual. Unfortunately, toilet bowls are the standard for legit playing. There's no telling how much better they would be if they would give more thought to their equipment.

What do I play on? A Stork 2C. Why? Because it's a good balance for my horn and the physical structure of my mouth. It just so happens that bigger is better, for me, when it comes to range. It just so happens that I have a great tone no matter what mouthpiece I'm playing on (except for GR's for some reason).

Don't play on something because that's what so and so plays or because your teacher told you to play on it. Play on it because you've looked at other options and found one that works for you.

Horn of Praise

Hi folks,

My own personal experience has shown me that changing mouthpieces will not achieve anything "lasting"... until...you have an efficient embouchure. After I discarded bad (embouchure) habits and got "turned around" I was able to play with more endurance and range than ever before, on a larger diameter mouthpiece.

To a degree, mouthpiece recommendations will always be suspect because we all have different dental structures, oral cavities, lung capacities, embouchures, trumpets, yada, yada, yada.

If people consistently have good luck with a product I will consider it, and visa versa.

All the best.

richtom

Get on the internet and find GR, Curry, Stork, Parke, Laskey, Haefner or any others that might interest you. Most of them have are available for consultation via email or phone. They are experts at fitting mouthpieces to individuals and should steer you in the right direction.
I have used all of the above mentioned manufacturers (except Parke) and they all make great pieces. Laskey and Curry use a Mt Vernon 5C rim on a particular series they make that differ in depth/cup volume). I have just gone from GRs e65 (a 5C size) series to a Haefner 1HX Signature (made by GR) which - in my case anyway - is way easier to play than any standard Bach 5C and despite being measured at 17mm feels much the same size as the e65 M and MX I used (and liked).
When you find what you are looking for, take all but one (for an emergency spare) and stick them in a container of water and put them in the freezer. That will remove any temptation to fool around with them.
It must be totally irrelevant to your personally what anyone else plays. You are you and must choose what suits YOU best.