TrumpetMaster - View Single Post

DrDave · 11-26-2007, 07:45 PM

Hi,

I thought I would just chime in here on the modification issue. It is possible to modify an existing mouthpiece to a Wedge configuration, including a Monette. Pat Shaner had been playing a couple of modified Monettes for some time now. There are certain limitations to a modification though. One has to accept a certain amount dercreased cup depth in order to produce the lateral dip in the side rim and the sloping contour of the top/bottom lip. There is also the danger of ruining the mouthpiece, since the modification is a compex, multi-step procedure, and things can go wrong. So if Trent is able to get his Warburton backbores modified to get the desired playing characteristcs out of his 993 with a Wedge that would be better. If he can't I could modify his Monette piece, but I am not keen to do so.

I know Dave Monette has a CNC lathe, but I am not sure he has a CNC milling machine, which is required to produce the surface contour of the Wedge. Anyone with the existing technology and know-how could scan a Wedge and reproduce it exactly. However, Dave would never do that because he would be violating US and Canadian patent law. From my dealings with Dave I think he is far too pricipled a guy to go there. Besides I suspect that in Dave's view doing a Wedge modification would destroy the unique playing characteristcs of his mouthpieces, which are superb.

Cheers,
Dr Dave
Harrison Wedge Mouthpiece

11-26-2007, 07:45 PM	#8 (permalink)
DrDave New Friend Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 43	Re: The Wedge Hi, I thought I would just chime in here on the modification issue. It is possible to modify an existing mouthpiece to a Wedge configuration, including a Monette. Pat Shaner had been playing a couple of modified Monettes for some time now. There are certain limitations to a modification though. One has to accept a certain amount dercreased cup depth in order to produce the lateral dip in the side rim and the sloping contour of the top/bottom lip. There is also the danger of ruining the mouthpiece, since the modification is a compex, multi-step procedure, and things can go wrong. So if Trent is able to get his Warburton backbores modified to get the desired playing characteristcs out of his 993 with a Wedge that would be better. If he can't I could modify his Monette piece, but I am not keen to do so. I know Dave Monette has a CNC lathe, but I am not sure he has a CNC milling machine, which is required to produce the surface contour of the Wedge. Anyone with the existing technology and know-how could scan a Wedge and reproduce it exactly. However, Dave would never do that because he would be violating US and Canadian patent law. From my dealings with Dave I think he is far too pricipled a guy to go there. Besides I suspect that in Dave's view doing a Wedge modification would destroy the unique playing characteristcs of his mouthpieces, which are superb. Cheers, Dr Dave Harrison Wedge Mouthpiece __________________ 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 Last edited by DrDave; 11-26-2007 at 09:31 PM.