| Re: The Wedge
This is a copy of the review that I posted on the TH... Now for those of you who don't want to read this entire post...
Synopsis...I REALLY like these mouthpieces!!
I have been communicating with Dr. Dave for a few weeks and have taken advantage of his size trial offer. I have been experimenting with his 7E and 7EC tops. This is my experience to date:
Fit & Finish: Top notch! Excellent quality and workmanship! I had no problem threading the tops onto my Warburton backbores!
Comfort / Feel: Extremely comfortable! I do not know if I have ever played another mouthpiece as comfortable as the Wedge. As we had anticipated, the 7EC (cushion rim) did, in fact, feel more comfortable. Not that the 7E felt bad, just that the 7EC felt "better."
Like many others, I experienced absolutely no problems in getting used to playing the Wedge...almost like I had always been playing it! Perhaps it is because I had been concentrating on a more "centrally focused embouchure" prior to getting the Wedge that it came so naturally. Anyway, for whatever reason, I needed no acclimation period whatsoever.
Playability: As others have pointed out, what I noticed immediately was a bigger, fuller low end to my playing. The low notes were much easier to play on the Wedge than on my other mouthpieces of similar size! There is a good "core" to the sound. I would like, however, to try the 7FC, or the 7 with the hybrid EF cup! Might just give me a little more "sizzle" that I like to hear on the top end! Please understand this is a personal thing...many others may like the sound "just as it is" and, quite frankly, I have had some positive comments concerning the "sound" that I am getting from the 7EC.
Another positive benefit was a significant increase in my endurance. Admittedly, I do not practice much (at all)...I am lucky to get 10-15 minutes of practice in a day, and it is not unusual for me not to practice for several days at a time. (Hopefully that will change soon!) Nevertheless, even with such limited practice time, I still do perform occasionally. Such was the case last weekend, when I played on the 7EC exclusively. Material was jazz ballads, karaoke style, with me on trumpet playing the melody throughout the entire piece. I was able to play through the entire set without a break which, for me, I had not ever been able to do previously. Therefore, kudos to the Wedge in that regard!
Articulation has not changed, and I have not really experienced an increase in range. However, again to be honest, I don't practice enough to truly "increase" my range anyway...so it is certainly not the fault of the mouthpiece. I have noticed, however, a positive difference in my flexibility, or stated another way, in my ability to handle intervals of varying steps.
Overall: An incredibly comfortable mouthpiece that I believe will become my main piece once I "zero in" on exactly what I am looking for, soundwise (comfort, playability, flexibility, etc. are already "there"). Heck, for all I know, I may already have exactly what I am looking for...just may need to practice more!
Anyway, I have no hesitations about recommending the Wedge mouthpiece and, FWIW, heartily give the Wedge an enthusiastic "two thumbs up!"
__________________ Michael Guevara, DMM
Cinco Ranch Conservatory of Music www.cincoranchmusic.com
Golden Trumpet Ministries
Authorized Stage 1 and Fides Dealer, Texas and Southern US |