The schilke numbering system makes more sense than most one you understand it.... afer this you will understand how vauge other manufactures naming schemes are in comparison
Ok - here is the basic mouthpiece
The Schilke system is based on 2 numbers and 2 letters....
like this - 13a4a
here is how it works"
The first number refers to the cup diameter; smaller numbers have smallest diameters. Most trumpet and cornet mouthpieces have a cup diameter that falls between .600 inch and .725 inch. Nos. 1 to 25 in the Schilke system represent sections of .005 inches each between these two measurements.
The first letter refers to the cup volume.
A = Small cup
B= Medium Small
C = Standard (medium size)
D = Medium Large
E = Large
The second (last) number refers to the rim contour.
1 = Roundest
2 = Semi-Round
3 = Standard
4 = Semi-Flat
5 = Only Slightly Round (flatest they make)
The second (last) letter refers to the backbore.
A = Tight
B = Straight
C = Standard
D = Slightly Curved Out
E = Large (most open backbore)
go here to see a rough drawing of these contours to help you better understand the differences:
http://www.schilkemusic.com/mp-8.html
So now you should know what a 15b4b is.
but you will notice that all thier mouthpices do not have 2 letters and 2 numbers.
If you do not see a letter or number then it is using the "standard" for the part
for instance the follwing would be true:
15 = 15c3c
15a4 = 15a4c
13a4 = 13a4c
15b = 15b3c
got it?
most of this info and more can be found here:
http://www.dallasmusic.org/schilke/S...uthpieces.html
----------------------------------
Schilke makes a high quality mouthpiece and they can be bought in most places for a good price.
now go read the descrptions for some of the other manufactures and tell me the difference between two model besides the diameter....
-marc