Bear

because people will pay the price for them... thus saying, anyone want to buy a poor college kid (me) one?

__________________
Of what value would it be to make a prosperous living unless you know how to live?! - anon.

Brekelefuw

Have you ever played a Wedge, Monette or GR? I own one of each and have played them each for at least 6 months. The difference between these and a normal mouthpiece is really staggering. If you find the right mouthpiece it makes playing so much easier.
To me all three of those brands offer an incredibly smooth feeling while playing, as well as very comfortable rims that don't make sore chops feel worse.
Of the mouthpieces I have played over the years, those three brands are my top three! Worth every penny if you can find the right one for you.

DrDave

Hi,

I guess this would be a good time for me to join the discussion. I agree that $200 is a lot of money for a trumpet mouthpiece. In fact, I was the first to say that from the very beginning, and it is right up front on our website. However, the price of the Wedge does reflect the manufacturing costs relative to most other mouthpieces, the business philosophy we have adopted, and I believe the value of the product.

The mouthpiece must be made in three stages. First it is turned and engraved on a CNC computer controlled lathe. This is what is usually sold as a conventional mouthpiece after buffing and plating. However, the Wedge is then removed from the lathe and milled on a CNC mill to produce the contoured rim. After that each mouthpiece must be hand polished to blend the two cutting programs, because even with careful programming and close tolerances the intersection of the two cutting paths can be seen. Then it is buffed and plated. Of course this whole process has to be preceded by computer design and programing of the turning and cutting files. All of this means that production costs are more than double those of a conventional mouthpiece, since it happens in three stages instead of one.

Other costs, that are not direct manufacturing costs, but do factor in, are legal and patent costs associated with a mouthpiece that is unique enough to be warrant and be eligible for a patent. The Wedge is also quite unusual in this regard. The other high end mouthpieces mentioned do not have patents to maintain.

Finally, all of the work is done by local privately owned and operated small businesses, although I could out source the production to China and reduce costs considerably (and pocket the additional profit). However, keeping things local allows me better quality control, and supports our local community, which sits better with me.

Having provided all of that explanation, the fact remains that $200 is a significant amount of money. That is why we offer a 2 week trial period, an exchange program during that time, and a money back guarantee, which most manufacturers do not offer. My approach is that if after the two weeks (often closer to 4 if we get into exchanges) the Wedge is not worth ever penny, you should not have to pay for it. So in the end I hope to provide good value for the dollar.

By the way, for you poor students out there, we are experimenting with a student discount program. We are providing teaching mouthpieces to tumpet instructors associated with schools and colleges. There will be a nominal charge of $50 for the teaching mouthpiece, which is waived if the instructor has already purchased a Wedge for personal use. The student can have their 2 week trial period with the teaching free of charge, and then purchase a new Wedge from me at a 20% discount if it works for them. However, because the trial period will have already occurred with the loaner mouthpiece, the Wedge cannot be returned once purchased. All you have to do is have your teacher contact me, and with proper verification of their association with a recognized teaching institution we can set up a loaner program.

Cheers.

__________________
Dave Harrison
(Dr. Dave)
www.wedgemouthpiece.com
Harreslons - 907L, 908 Benge 90C
Blackburn Bb, C, Eb/D, Bb/C Pic, G/A Pic, Bb cornet
Yamaha 635ST Flugel
Wedge 3 series, Wedge ML backbore
A VERY understanding wife and more toys than talent

Trumpet guy

Does one have to go through the teaching mouthpiece first before qualifying for the discount?

__________________


Daniel Lan
------------------------------------
Bach Strad Bb 37
Bach TR300 (marching)
Berkeley Cornet
Berkeley Picc
Jupiter JST314 Soprano Trombone
Olds Ambassador Fullerton Trombone

DrDave

Hi,

I had not thought about the discount being offered without the two week trial. The intention of the student program is to provide a teaching tool for instructors (more about that here http://www.wedgemouthpiece.com/id269.html0) and to make sure that the mouthpiece will work for you before you buy one without the option of returning it. There is about 25% chance that if you just try one without being fitted face to face it will not be better than your current mouthpiece. That is the current return rate. For these reasons the discount only applies to students using the trial period though an enrolled instructor.

Cheers.

__________________
Dave Harrison
(Dr. Dave)
www.wedgemouthpiece.com
Harreslons - 907L, 908 Benge 90C
Blackburn Bb, C, Eb/D, Bb/C Pic, G/A Pic, Bb cornet
Yamaha 635ST Flugel
Wedge 3 series, Wedge ML backbore
A VERY understanding wife and more toys than talent

rowuk

This is a very good observation.

Check out the $50 to $80 mouthpieces. They are ONLY "standard sizes" and are sold in great numbers making the manufacturing relatively cheap and guaranteeing a profit for all involved in the sales. Profit is the reason that companies stay in business.

Now check out the expensive, specialty mouthpieces. They are NOT made in large quantities, sometimes even are made or tuned by hand. Time is money and even here, a profit has to be made. Because the specialty companies are NOT using old standard sizes, they also have to roll in the costs for continual research and development too. That is what makes them better. Unlike computer software or MP3s, it is tougher to STEAL a design when the customer does not feel the price is worth it, but wants to have it anyway. Even the Kanstul copies (well almost copies) of specialty mouthpieces cost more because there is no volume of production. They save on the R&D when they steal a design from somewhere else though! That is why they are cheaper than the originals.

If you are getting the job done with a standard mouthpiece, then you can take advantage of that type of manufacturing. If you feel that you need something more individual, you need to spend some time researching the differences. Only you can determine what is "good enough"!

__________________
Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

DCB

Have anything smaller than the 10 1/2? Something in the .610 to .620 range?

Peace

__________________
dcb <><
John 14:6
Kanstul/ Najoom French Besson
Holton Collegiate
Conn 80A
Amati flugelhorn

Trumpet guy

They have a 10 1/2 that's slightly smaller than a bach 10 1/2. There's also a smaller 12 size, which is new and not on that table yet. Just look on their website for the rim diameter comparison. Quick Size Chart

__________________


Daniel Lan
------------------------------------
Bach Strad Bb 37
Bach TR300 (marching)
Berkeley Cornet
Berkeley Picc
Jupiter JST314 Soprano Trombone
Olds Ambassador Fullerton Trombone

DrDave

Hi,

In case anyone is interested I have posted some photos of the new WedGR (Wedge / GR hybrid) mouthpiece. Harrison Mouthpieces and GR have teamed up to bring our two technologies together in one product for those who like a Wedge rim and a GR underpart.

WedGR

This is not a modification or a screw rim. It is a Wedge mouthpiece made from a custom GR blank.

Cheers.

__________________
Dave Harrison
(Dr. Dave)
www.wedgemouthpiece.com
Harreslons - 907L, 908 Benge 90C
Blackburn Bb, C, Eb/D, Bb/C Pic, G/A Pic, Bb cornet
Yamaha 635ST Flugel
Wedge 3 series, Wedge ML backbore
A VERY understanding wife and more toys than talent

Brekelefuw

OH why do you make such tempting products. Just as I am going to get my funds together to order a cornet and flugel Wedge you introduce a GR version. GR is my second favorite brand of mouthpiece.