RHSbigbluemarchingband

Today during band I found a 3c, my director told me to keep an eye out in the band room for one because he wanted to have me try one, thinking I''d like it more than my 7c (he is a very good brass player, so I gave it a shot). Well I washed it up, and pretty rigorously tested it during our three hour band rehearsal. I found that it definitely helped control the amount of air I put through the horn (I use a LOT of air and with a 7c I stuck out often), was more comfortable for my chops, I felt as if my tone sounded more ideal, my endurance after the first hour of getting acquianted with the mouthpiece was increased, and all across my current range was very comfortable. After the pleasant experience with the new mouthpiece, he is going to order me one. We realized the one I grabbed actually had raw brass showing through the plating (it was obviously older then I thought) and hopefully Im not allergic!!

Anyway, by description, is this the mouthpiece for me or should I stick with the 7c? I've always done fine with the 7c but the 3c seems better, but its only been 3 hours of playing.......

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

ChaseFan

The Bach 3C is a larger diameter than the Bach 7C,
but the Bach 3C is much shallower than the Bach 7C,
which might account for your greater endurance on the Bach 3C.

Also, the Bach 3C cup is more V-shaped than the Bach 7C cup,
which gives a nice tone while also helping a little in the upper register.

Dean

RHSbigbluemarchingband

I did notice the larger diameter, which I actually liked, and for the upper register it did feel a bit easier to play, especially for three hours, but overall the piece made playing a bit easier, and I feel as if it took "less effort" to play. The first half and hour was exhausting, but once I got used to the mouthpiece, I couldn't stop using it, but im not sure whether its the right one, or if I should play it more and see.

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

ChaseFan

The Bach 3C is one of the most popular and widely-used mouthpieces in the world today, so it is not as though it is a bizarre mouthpiece that you should be suspicious of.
It is a nice all-around mouthpiece that many people love.
But different people need different mouthpieces, so only you can decide if it is the right mouthpiece for you.

Dean

RHSbigbluemarchingband

Okay, ill probably stick with it then, and keep the 7c as a spare, but I never thought to try another mouthpiece since I was doing fine and excelling with the 7c. Never knew that a 3c would be as awesome as it was!

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

Grizzle

And stick with the 3C for 5 years or more. Don't get sucked into a mouthpiece safari. A lot of great players use that MP for everything.

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tedh1951

Nice one RHSbigbluemarchingband, I've been down the same path and found the same result - I agree that you shouldn't go chasing outcomes by means of the "greatest mouthpiece myth", and three hours is NOT a fair or legitimate assessment time.

I have but three comments:

i. My Benge 3C (the old Bach 3C dies) has been goldplated - you might like to search for discussions on goldplated mouthpieces - particularly if you are ordering a new one - the gold one is well worthwhile trying, I think - smooth and warm on the lips, lovely feel, not at all metallic.

ii. I shifted - eventually - to a Monette B6, (a quite similar shape to the 3C) but this involved a whole new approach to posture and relaxation. You may consider this change much further down the track - 'cause the little mongrels are quite expensive AUD$300, and also goldplated.

iii. I occasionally take the 3C out of it's protective packaging to give it some exercise but I last half a practice session and snap quite quickly back to the Monette, not because the 3C is wrong, but because of my personal preference.

OK, my bottom line - the 3C is a fine MP - has all the attributes you have described, but at least try it in gold if you can - slip down to the local music shop and try anything in gold to get an idea of the effect before you place an order - the difference in price between silver and gold is tiny - over time.

__________________
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Ted

RHSbigbluemarchingband

Well its morning, no bumps or allergic reactions to that raw brass! But anyway, ill probably wait till college to get into a Monette, but the gold thing seems inticing. I do like my silver plated mouthpiece (and I didn't mind that old somewhat raw brass mouthpiece) but the gold in many eyes is better.

Also since I didn't have an allergic reaction im probably going to use that 3c again today, text it out a bit more, I liked it too much to go back to that 7c anytime soon..............

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

Ric232

While it's a neat tool, I don't place much credence in the Kanstul Mouthpiece Comparator. It shows that the 3C is actually same depth as a 7D, which simply is not the case. I have a 3C and a 7D. The 7D is significantly shallower. In fact, the Kanstul comparator shows that a 7C has virtually the same size rim as a 1.5C but with a deeper cup than the 1.5C. Sorry, but I don't buy it.

__________________
Ric
Comeback Player
2009 Yamaha Xeno 8335S
1983 Mercedes II Bb Trumpet
Yamaha 14B4 (primary)
Yamaha 16C4-GP (rarely)
Bach 3C (retired)

wilcox96

I'd hang on to the 3C you found...since it is highly likely that the 3C your director is ordering you will be totally different. You may like it even better! ....or>>> it may be terrible and anywhere inbetween.

You got a quick benefit of a larger vibrating surface (3 vs the 7) and the shallower cup of the 3C. (The "C" part is a bit of a misnomer, in this case). I started this with the word "quick"... so, time will tell if this will work for you in the long term. Stay with it, if you'd like. As long as you are not experiencing any negatives....stay the course and work into this.

Glad you had a nice experience...and it sounds like you really enjoyed it. Let us know how things continue....


(oh...and Ric232.... The Kanstul Comparator is not magic. ha. With all the discrepancies between Bach mpc over the years, the Comparator can only be generic. The mpcs you have - who knows. That's the point to the OP.... stick 10 of these "identical" mpcs side by side and you will probably have 10 results).

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