First bass mouthpiece

[RConrad]

Hello everyone,

First time posting here so please excuse my ignorance. I recently started playing the trombone again after a 10+ year break. I started playing with the university symphonic band a few months ago, at first, on my old small-bore student tenor. The director really wanted me on a larger bore horn as I'm covering 3rd but only had a Rath R900 to loan. Not being someone to walk away from a challenge I offered to take up the bass. I haven't regretted that as the Rath is a lovely horn to play and due to the nature of a bass I've had to really focus on the fundamentals of playing.

With all that said I've been using the Douglas Yeo mouthpiece I found in the case and after playing with it over the last month or so I've realized it is a bit too big for me. If anyone has a good suggestion of a few brands and sizes I should look into that would be wonderful. Since I'm in the Chicago, Schilke is just across town and I've thought about giving them a call. Any help or advice is welcome!

[Burgerbob]

A 58 or 59 would be fine.

[pompatus]

I'd put in a vote for the Schilke 58.

[JohnL]

If you want to go with Schilke, I would say 58. Otherwise, I'd say buy a Faxx 1.5G and play the snot out of it.

[Savio]

I would suggest a Bach 1 1/2g. Easy to get everywhere, easy to play. And you get the good classic bass trombone sound with some practice. And it also fit most bass trombones out there. Or else I would just take a skype session with Doug Elliott here on the site. He make mouthpieces that can be customized for you and your horn. I bet he can see what suits you after just a little talk and blowing a few notes.

Leif

[ghmerrill]

I would go with Faxx at least until you get more experience and have some grounds to make your own judgment.

[RConrad]

Thanks everyone for the replies. Since the horn I'm using isn't my personal trombone a Faxx seems to make the most sense.

I would suggest a Bach 1 1/2g. Easy to get everywhere, easy to play. And you get the good classic bass trombone sound with some practice. And it also fit most bass trombones out there. Or else I would just take a skype session with Doug Elliott here on the site. He make mouthpieces that can be customized for you and your horn. I bet he can see what suits you after just a little talk and blowing a few notes.

Leif

As a Mechanical Engineering student the thought of having a mouthpiece made is really intriguing but as I do not currently own my own bass or large bore tenor and I'm just starting to develop my embouchure again I think it'd be best to wait a few years. I've got a lot I need to work on to get back to where I was years ago and I just recognized that I needed something to help me develop. I've also started researching trombones that may work for me once I have the money to afford something in the spring. I'll probably be asking for some opinions regarding that here in the next couple of months as I will have a limited budget being a student and disabled veteran. I do hope I get a chance to sit down with Doug Elliott in the future though.

Thank you again!

[Crazytrombonist505]

The Faxx is an excellent choice and is not too expensive new. If you can find one used, a Schilke 58 or Bach 1.5G would be good as well.

[RConrad]

The Faxx is an excellent choice and is not too expensive new. If you can find one used, a Schilke 58 or Bach 1.5G would be good as well.

I went ahead and ordered myself a Faxx. It'll be here next week which should give me some time to adapt before my next concert on the 3rd of November. Like Mr. Merrill said above once I have more time under my belt I'll go from there. A Schilke 58, 59 and a Denis Wick 0AL are on my list of mouthpieces to try once I'm at that point based on suggestions from here and a bit of my own research. Course I also haven't gotten myself my own horn yet so it's possible I may be switching between a tenor and bass fairly often.

It's so nice to be playing again.

[BGuttman]

It's going to take a couple of YEARS before you outgrow the 1 1/2 G (if you ever decide you did). I have a 1 1/2 G sized mouthpiece that I constantly go back to when I have to play bass after a long string of tenor playing.

I'd continue to use the Faxx until you get your own instrument. Then you can begin to experiment.

[RConrad]

It's going to take a couple of YEARS before you outgrow the 1 1/2 G (if you ever decide you did). I have a 1 1/2 G sized mouthpiece that I constantly go back to when I have to play bass after a long string of tenor playing.

I'd continue to use the Faxx until you get your own instrument. Then you can begin to experiment.

I'll probably stick to the Faxx for a good long while. I try not to switch between mouthpieces too often as I'm fairly sensitive to how it changes my sound. I still reach for my first 12c when I play my old horn in fact. I may experiment if I find myself a bass with an odd sized bore or a dual bore tenor but my funds are limited so I'll be happy if I can just find a good bass.