| Hi Larry;
Well, speaking strictly for myself, I was looking for a mouthpiece that would make playing the trumpet (range, endurance) "easier". I recall thinking that I really liked the Wick because of the "depth of sound"... but after a while I started to figure out that my endurace was suffering (no doubt pressure figured into that equation somehow).
When I went to test/buy a Schilke I took along my Strad, plus the three last mouthpieces that I had been using (Wick 4, Bach 3C, Laskey 4B). I was somewhat horrified to find that I was terribly sharp with any of those mouthpieces on any four of the trumpets I was trying (X3, B1, B5, S32). The man running the store had me "extend" my lower jaw ever so slightly and the tuner popped right "into the green". (the benefits of finding someone who knows what they are doing!). He then worked me through his dealer Warburton kit and we settled on a 4MD/B10 (Seems I needed a large gap to "hang onto" the Schilke's lower resistance). I didn't buy the mouthpiece from him (the Mrs was going to make comment on the price of the horn as is!) but subsequently picked up a 4MC/B9 from Ebay.
This worked for a few months but then I "discovered" the Sparx cornet pieces and fallen in love with the comfort of the rim on Ted's #4 (as well as the sound). So I discussed the situation with Bruce, telling him that I wanted a slightly "brighter" sound but also wanted a cleaner Bb down through G# below the staff. Bruce set me up with the 66*** and so far it's done what I wanted.
I have looked and looked at shank lengths, measured the "inside length" of the receiver and calculated endgap with all of the trumpets I've owned. (that's why I'd like to see the exact position of the end of the leadpipe discretely scribed on the receiver somewhere.) I notice that very seldom is the shank length the same between any two manufacturers: an example is that the end gap on my B1 with the Warburton B9 was 5 mm! and with the Sparx is only 3 mm. Maybe it's an adaptation thing.... I don't know. Combine that with the possible variations in throat diameter, throat length, backbore shape, throat-backbore "transition", shank "rim" width, cup, blah, blah and blah. Yes, I like a nice, thick and rich "dark" sound. But I realized that's what the cornet is for (in my case...I know...there are players who want or need that sound out of a trumpet).
So....to make a long story even longer, I was looking for specific "sound characteristics" (brighter); range considerations (don't give up high range but improve the bottom); comfort (always more endurance); and intonation (make the most of Schilke's built-in quality).
Now, a fully qualified and thoroughly trained professional will undoubtedly be looking for much smaller "increments of improvement" or "type of sound" than what I was. But speaking strictly for myself, I don't necessarily think that a "dedicated mouthpiece" will make it's stable-mate trumpet play much better since there is still that wild card out there.... the player! |