TromboneChat

I am getting my son a bass trombone and not sure what is best mouthpiece size for him. He currently plays on a Schilke 47G4 but know he will need something much larger. Should I start him on a Bach 3G or something more like 1.5? Thanks

1.5G is a great place to start.

If the 1-1/2G seems slightly large for him, a good (readily available) option for a bass trombone beginner would be a Schilke 58 or a Bach 2G.

It depends on what will fit him. One approach (“old school” ) might say something like, “Everyone starts on a 1 1/2G. Many people stay with it. Let him get started, then wait a few years.”

Another approach might say something like, “Let’s try him on a few mouthpieces to see what fits for now. As he develops, he might need something larger or smaller.”

Age, mouth structure, facial musculature, and other things all make a difference. And if his current tenor mouthpiece is a 47C4, any bass mouthpiece will feel huge.

When I first switched to bass, I started on a 1 1/2G. It felt huge compared to the tenor mouthpieces I was used to, so I went to a 2G for a few months.

Most people say to start on a 1 1/2G or 2G. I think that's very good advice.

Faxx 1 1/2 G is what I started on. Almost the same as a Bach 1 1/2G, but cheaper. It has the regular .277" throat and backbore of the G series, not the much larger throats that other mouthpieces have. I tried to start out with a Yamaha 58, but the larger throat let me burn up too much air before I learned control.

Posaunus wrote: ↑Thu Sep 21, 2023 8:48 pm If the 1-1/2G seems slightly large for him, a good (readily available) option for a bass trombone beginner would be a Schilke 58 or a Bach 2G.

I think an S58 is larger than a 1 1/2G. .296” v .276” throat too. Still a good option starting out. A 57 might also work.

Bach5G wrote: ↑Mon Sep 25, 2023 2:25 pm

Posaunus wrote: ↑Thu Sep 21, 2023 8:48 pm If the 1-1/2G seems slightly large for him, a good (readily available) option for a bass trombone beginner would be a Schilke 58 or a Bach 2G.

I think an S58 is larger than a 1 1/2G. .296” v .276” throat too. Still a good option starting out. A 57 might also work.

True enough. But it depends on which mouthpieces from which era. Cup I.D.s seem to vary.

Based on a very small sample size, I have measured Bach 1½G Cup I.D.s from ~27.0mm to ~27.25mm. (And 2Gs from 26.8mm to 27.2mm !) Schilke 58: From ~26.8mm to ~27.2mm.

Throats seem to be more consistent - Bach 1½G: 7.04mm (0.277"); Schilke 58: 7.67mm (0.302").

Posaunus wrote: ↑Mon Sep 25, 2023 3:10 pm

Bach5G wrote: ↑Mon Sep 25, 2023 2:25 pm

I think an S58 is larger than a 1 1/2G. .296” v .276” throat too. Still a good option starting out. A 57 might also work.

True enough. But it depends on which mouthpieces from which era. Cup I.D.s seem to vary.

Based on a very small sample size, I have measured Bach 1½G Cup I.D.s from ~27.0mm to ~27.25mm. (And 2Gs from 26.8mm to 27.2mm !) Schilke 58: From ~26.8mm to ~27.2mm.

Throats seem to be more consistent - Bach 1½G: 7.04mm (0.277"); Schilke 58: 7.67mm (0.302").

All are good starter pieces.

Thanks for all the replies. I decided to try him on a Denis Wick 2AL which is close to a Bach 1.5G