connloyalist

Lately I have been trying to figure out what it is about a particular mouthpiece that I like so much, or perhaps: what makes it work for me. Sounds easy, but I am finding it a rather difficult process of deductive reasoning. I think I am making progress however, and would appreciate some feedback. Sorry if this is a rather long post.

I have found that a Connstellation 5CW cornet mouthpiece with cornet to trumpet adapter really works well for me (with my health related issues I have become more senstive to "bad" mouthpiece). The 5CW is about 0,660", I find it really comfortable. The "problem" with the Connstellation 5CW is that they haven't been made in a long time and are rather difficult to find, so if anything were to happen to mine, I would have a problem.

I also have a Connstellation 5CW trumpet mouthpiece. Same rim and cup, but it feels too open for my comfort. Ppresumably the backbore? It has been suggested I like the extra resistance of the cornet mouthpiece with a cornet to trumpet adapter (I use a GR #43).

So I had a complete copy made (by Stork) of the Connstellation 5CW. Nice work, but it just doesn't feel right; "stiff". Not sure why that is.

Recently I had Kanstul make a copy of a 5CW on a standard blank. Feels very comfortable and familiar. Conn's cornet mouthpieces produced between the 1930's and the 1960's (art deco style) have less mass/weight around the cup than standard mouthpiece blanks however, and I underestimated the effect that would have. So the standard weight blank feels similar to what I expect a heavyweight mouthpiece would feel like to someone else.

I did a non-scientific test the other day. I asked a fellow trumpet player in my band to listen to me on the original Connstellation 5CW and the Kanstul copy. He couldn't see which mouthpiece I was using. His impressions were that I found it easier to hit the right note spot on and keep it there with the original 5CW than with the copy. True (eventhough the heavier weight "slots" better), but, that might be a question of me being used to the lighter weight original 5CW. Interestingly though, he also liked my tone better on the (lighterweight) original 5CW.

I also find that when using a (short shank) Conn 6 cornet mouthpiece on my 1936 38A Victor, that seems to work fine too. Same outside shape and weight. Bite feels the same, outside diameter of rim is narrower though.

So my tentative conclusion is that I prefer mouthpieces with less mass/weight than standard blanks of these days and/or that these simply work better for me. Which I guess runs a bit counter to the current trend of going heavy....

Any thoughts? Does this sound plausible?

Regards, Christine

nieuwguyski

It sounds plausible to me. You should be able to get any of your heavier-topped mouthpieces skeletonized -- the exterior cut down to a lighter weight -- should you want. Another option would be to have Curry copy your mouthpiece in his "Peeler" blank.

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John N. Nieuwguyski