Too big vs. too small?

[Fruitysloth]

Hey all,

I'm primarily a tenor player, but have been called to double on bass more frequently than I'm used to. I'm currently going back and forth between a Stork 1.5 and a Marcinkiewicz 1.5G. With both of these mouthpieces, I'm having an easy time accessing my high register (G third line above bass clef and up), but popping some of the lower notes, D - C below the staff, are more of a challenge to pin, and I have to shift considerably to hit the pedals. I'm trying out a Schilke 60, which is WAY too big, but I don't have to shift at all for pedals. Thoughts? Other than practice, which I'm definitely trying to do more of in light of having to double as much as I have recently. Thanks in advance!

[BGuttman]

I found the Schilke 60 (and Bach 1G) too big and uncomfortable. I used a 1 1/4G for a while, then a Schilke 59, Warburton 3, and then I met Doug Elliott. He put me on a LB 114 L with an L8 shank. It was the depth of the 1 G but a smaller rim. Worked great. I think the Yamaha Yeo is also like this. Check out the Yeo, or talk to Doug.

[Pezza]

1.5G is a pretty standard bass bone mouthpiece.
I use a wedge 1.5G on bass. My 3G euph also works on bass.
I went the "bigger is better" route obout 20 years ago, but have since scaled back.

[Burgerbob]

Practice is going to be necessary even with exactly the right piece. With that in mind, I'd recommend using the 1.5s for a bit longer but sinking a bit more into that bass concept. It's pretty easy to play them in a small way and have the horn respond like a tenor, which is not what you want.

[RustBeltBass]

Plenty of choices in between 1.5 and Schilke 60 style mouthpieces.

However, 1.5 sized mouthpieces are popular with doublers and more important is a routine that strengthens your bass skills, so maybe try that first before experimenting with equipment. What materials are you currently using when practicing on bass ?

[hyperbolica]

You can split the difference. I play 1 1/4 size stuff on bass. DE LB112K and Ferguson L. Yamaha 60, Schilke 59, Bach 1 1/4G also fit in that slot.

[spencercarran]

Lots in between, and the Marc 1.5 is sort of an odd beast even among ~1.5-sized pieces.

[Matt K]

There's a big jump between 1.5G (1.08") and Schilke 59 / Bach 1.25G (1.12") and Schilke 60 (1.14"). That's like going from a 6.5AL (1.0") to a ~3G (1.04") or a 2G (1.06")... or going from a 12C (.96") to a 6.5AL or 4G (1.02").

I feel like the 1.10" size is underrated, and does a good job splitting the difference. As a doubler, I'm moving more towards the smaller end, but if I'm in good shape on that, I can switch over to 1.10" very easily if I want a little more of the low end.

I don't know what kind of depth you're talking about, but I find that paradoxically that somewhat shallower cups give a better low range. A lot of times I want something that sounds loud, maybe with a little edge. I'd been using an Elliott "L" for awhile, but have been switching to something shallower for most playing unless, again, I really want to focus on low range at the cost of high range and then I can pop the deeper cup in.

[musicofnote]

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[Kbiggs]

In performance, most people shift for the pedal notes. Even Phil Teele said that his “no shift” rule was primarily for the practice room. While it’s ideal to not shift at all, you do what needs to be done in performance.

Do you like the sound, flexibility, basic articulation, feel, etc. of either of your 1.5G mpcs? What don’t you like about them? Do you need pedal notes for the kind of bass doubling you will do? Is it something you can work on?

Several folks have already mentioned that there are plenty of mpc rim sizes between your standard 1.5G (whatever that is) and a Schilke 60. It sounds like you would benefit from guidance, and a good, objective set of eyes and ears to hear and watch you play. Doug?

[Bach5G]

It seems to me that Phil said to do whatever you have to on the gig.