Skiingfool

Hi everyone! I play on a Bach 5C megatone and it has worked great. However, I bet there is something out there that's even better. How should I go about mouthpiece shopping? I don't want to buy mouthpieces just so I can try them. Thanks

jcstites

Buy every mouthpiece you can...thats what I do.

__________________
www.jonathanstites.com

trpteddrumaner12

If there is nothing wrong with your mouthpiece, why buy a new one? Is there something that you dont like about the 5c megatone? If you dont want to switch companies, i suggest getting a bach 3c, not a megatone....
Curry mouthpieces are almost the same as bach, just a newer company, you can hit the high register easily so i have heard. I used to play a gold plated bach 5c and really liked it, it was an all good mouthpiece. Mine just took a heavy beating from me, so i needed a new one.

Schilke makes great mouthpieces also,

If you want a try before you buy program, you can try mouthpieceexpress.com

Everyone is different, thats what is the problem.

Hope this can help you,
trpteddrumaner12

__________________
http://www.trekadvertising.com/refer.asp?ref=46270

Bach Mg290 (Omega Series)

RHSbigbluemarchingband

Alright this isn't from experience, but from what most people say around here, first a mouthpiece WON'T get you range. Only practice, practice, and more practice will. Second why switch if your 5c is doing fine, i've been playing on the same mouthpiece since I started, a simple 7c, it works for me, and I keep improving on it. So unless you've tried a mouthpiece for a decent amount of time, and it still works, don't switch. ESPECIALLY if your current mouthpiece is working well and is comfortable for you to play on!

__________________
?1975 Bb Beuscher Aristocrat
1970 Bb Bach Strad 37
Bb Dynasty Marching Trumpet 010-M503
Beuscher 7c MP
Bach 3c MP

TheSlur

My advice would be IF you are going to get a new mouthpiece and you already have one that works great for you, go to your local music shop, get them to give you a set of 2 piece mouthpiece backbores and rims, and then try them. So for example if you want keep the 5C rim and just want a backbore changed, then you can try and see if it works better for you.

DISCLAIMER: If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Also when you try different mouthpieces, warm up on your original mouthpiece, that way your chops won't be so totally messed up when you try out different mpcs.

rowuk

Just do it and don't whine later when you have no range and endurance. Mouthpiece switches without knowing what you are doing are pretty dumb. It can take 6 months to get used to a new mouthpiece. By the time that you have figured out that what you bought doesn't work, it is too late to return it. Get local help. You don't know what you are getting into.

__________________
Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

trumpetnick

Ditto. Changing mouthpieces and horns are not like getting a new electronic gadget - you look to numbers written in the specifications info and just buy one. With trumpet gear you need to know exactly what you are searching for (which must be essentially different than what you've got) and how to achieve it, otherwise you just throw cash through your window. Of course, you can always buy new gear as a collector - as far as you don't mess up your playing with - the-frozen-in-the-freezer storing a la rowuk may be very useful. Obviously, you don't really know if you need to change and what exactly to upgrade to. If you have access to an expert embouchure teacher, let him do the thinking.

__________________
Spada Bach B flat 72, leadpipe 2L/DWMM1.5C
Spada Bach C 256, leadpipe 2LQ/DWMM1.5C
1956 Olds Ambassador Cornet
Spada Custom Piccolo

If you don't know where you are going, you 'll end up someplace else

Al Innella

First decide what you want to change in your sound, then research as many different companies as you possibly can, I always tried to keep close to the same rim diameter that I was currently using, maybe one size bigger or one size smaller, the larger diameters usually feel better at the beginning but some times don't work out in the long run, again it depends on the style of music and how you play , try as many mouthpieces as you can either in a local shop or friends, many mail order companies and manufacturers have a return policy for trying mouthpieces.

Bachstul

They make so many sizes, so they can sell so many more mouthpieces.

Fishing lures and mouthpieces have a lot in common in the retail market.

eBay....buy used, sell used, this way, it won't cost you a dime. You might make a dime.

Really, I wouldn't fool around with drastic size changes. Stay near where you are at.

crazyandy88

I have wasted a ton of money in the past buying mouthpieces because...i don't really know. I guess I thought a new mouthpiece would fix everthing...it won't. I have only ever made two wise mouthpiece buying decisions. I was fortunate enough both times to have the manufacturer and fellow musicians familiar with my sound right there. If you live in a rural area like me it is almost impossible to sit and try mouthpieces with the person who designed them. One thing that is invaluable is taking your teacher with you and trying various mouthpieces, playing the same music on each mouthpiece. Systematically rule out mouthpieces by first playing yours, then try one, yours, try one etc. If the trials don't beat your mouthpiece in sound or playability, discard them. If they are better, put them in the keeper pile. For me, ease of play is important but sound should always come first, so you should try to find a good balance between the two. You will eventually come down to your current mouthpiece and one maybe two others. Then you just have to decide! Remember...listen to the sound you're making...don't pay attention to only how easy the high register is or how loud you can play etc.

__________________
Andy Sites