Difference between a Bach 6.5AL, 6.5A, and 6.5AM

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ttf_ottisthetrombonist
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Difference between a Bach 6.5AL, 6.5A, and 6.5AM

Post by ttf_ottisthetrombonist »

Just out of curiosity, what is the difference? I reall know nothing about mps, so if y'all could be so kind to enlighten me!
Really I'm just wondering. What do all these letters mean?
I mean, I just realized what the numbers and letters mean on horns.
ttf_Eastcheap
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Difference between a Bach 6.5AL, 6.5A, and 6.5AM

Post by ttf_Eastcheap »

Bach Mouthpiece Manual.

In general, Bach designations give you a clue about rim diameter and depth, but nothing else.  It's not systematic like Elliot codes.
ttf_daveyboy37
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Difference between a Bach 6.5AL, 6.5A, and 6.5AM

Post by ttf_daveyboy37 »

Based on the manual, it looks like the main differences on the small shank versions are the throat and backbore. The 6 1/2A has the standard small shank throat and backbore, the 6 1/2 AM has the "F" (.257") throat and #413 backbore, and the 6 1/2 AL has the "G" (.261") throat and #420 backbore.

This is somewhat different for the large shank mouthpieces though. In that series.the 6 1/2AM and 6 1/2AL have the same specs, but the 6 1/2A has the full "bass trombone" throat and backbore, .276" throat with #429 backbore.

The rim and cup are all identical I believe.
ttf_Trav1s
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Difference between a Bach 6.5AL, 6.5A, and 6.5AM

Post by ttf_Trav1s »

I can share my experience with the the AL and AM...

In the early 90's (during college) my prof pushed me from a Schilke 51B to the 6.5AL.  It just never worked.  Even after extensive playing and time to adapt it lacked focus and clarity for me.  I tried the 6.5 AM and it worked well for me from the first note. 


My best suggestion for you  -->  Try all of them back to back and decide from there.  Have someone you trust and knows trombone to help with a blindfold test.  Play what works.  Image 
ttf_vegasbound
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Difference between a Bach 6.5AL, 6.5A, and 6.5AM

Post by ttf_vegasbound »


Your switching to a 5G  so don't worry about it!!!   Image
ttf_daveyboy37
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Difference between a Bach 6.5AL, 6.5A, and 6.5AM

Post by ttf_daveyboy37 »

I didn't switch to a 5G until College. I was all-state two years in HS, so I don't think the 6 1/2AL held me back. I did audition with a king 3b though.
ttf_vegasbound
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Difference between a Bach 6.5AL, 6.5A, and 6.5AM

Post by ttf_vegasbound »


Daveboy.....not dissing the 61/2 but in another port otis has said she is switching to the 5G size!
ttf_ottisthetrombonist
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Difference between a Bach 6.5AL, 6.5A, and 6.5AM

Post by ttf_ottisthetrombonist »

Yes. The 5G is more comfortable for me. My friend walked into rehearsal one day, said try ou my new mp, put it in my horn, and told me to play. I warmed up. I loved it. He told me it was a 5G and said I could use it for a week because he wasn't eating his large bore until then and was playing a small bore. I loved the mp though. It was basically a blind test.
To be quite honest, I don't know anything about mps. I just saw a 6.5A online and thought it was a typo. I'm just generally curious about the whole thing.
But thanks for your thoughts everyone! I feel more knowlagable about the whole thing!
ttf_robinsjanis
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Difference between a Bach 6.5AL, 6.5A, and 6.5AM

Post by ttf_robinsjanis »

hi!

Has anyone played a 6 1/2A?
I understand, that it has bigger throat, does that mean that it will have better low range than 6 1/2 AL?
I'm interested in it because there are few at Dillons store, so I can buy it and get it to Latvia!
ttf_heinz gries
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Difference between a Bach 6.5AL, 6.5A, and 6.5AM

Post by ttf_heinz gries »

Quote from: robinsjanis on Jun 14, 2014, 01:28AMhi!

Has anyone played a 6 1/2A?
I understand, that it has bigger throat, does that mean that it will have better low range than 6 1/2 AL?
I'm interested in it because there are few at Dillons store, so I can buy it and get it to Latvia!

the 6 1/2A have the standart Bach throat for small shank pieces 5,8 mm
the 6 1/2AM have a 6,53mm throat and the 6 1/2AL a 6,63mm throat
ttf_robinsjanis
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Difference between a Bach 6.5AL, 6.5A, and 6.5AM

Post by ttf_robinsjanis »

Quote from: heinz gries on Jun 14, 2014, 02:55AMthe 6 1/2A have the standart Bach throat for small shank pieces 5,8 mm
the 6 1/2AM have a 6,53mm throat and the 6 1/2AL a 6,63mm throat

forgot to say that I'm interested in large shank version!
ttf_harrison.t.reed
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Difference between a Bach 6.5AL, 6.5A, and 6.5AM

Post by ttf_harrison.t.reed »

QuoteMy friend walked into rehearsal one day, said try ou my new mp, put it in my horn, and told me to play. I loved it.

Ewww germs!
ttf_heinz gries
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Difference between a Bach 6.5AL, 6.5A, and 6.5AM

Post by ttf_heinz gries »

Quote from: robinsjanis on Jun 14, 2014, 05:01AMforgot to say that I'm interested in large shank version!

Then you are right.Same rim and cup as No. 61⁄2A small shank tenor trombone,
but with full bass trombone throat (7mm) and backbore for a rich,
compact sound of large volume.
ttf_dbdicker
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Difference between a Bach 6.5AL, 6.5A, and 6.5AM

Post by ttf_dbdicker »

Quote from: vegasbound on Aug 22, 2012, 09:18AMYour switching to a 5G  so don't worry about it!!!   Image

Heh +1  Image
ttf_chipolah
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Difference between a Bach 6.5AL, 6.5A, and 6.5AM

Post by ttf_chipolah »

Quote from: robinsjanis on Jun 14, 2014, 01:28AMhi!

Has anyone played a 6 1/2A?
I understand, that it has bigger throat, does that mean that it will have better low range than 6 1/2 AL?
I'm interested in it because there are few at Dillons store, so I can buy it and get it to Latvia!
I use a 6 1/2A small shank and I really like it. I find it is quite good in all registers. I have a large shank version and I don't feel that comfortable with it. It seems to backup on me. I have some friends who have tried it and they think it's great. I'm using a 4G on my large shank Trbns. That fits me better.
ttf_Larry Preston Roberson
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Difference between a Bach 6.5AL, 6.5A, and 6.5AM

Post by ttf_Larry Preston Roberson »

Quote from: Trav1s on Aug 22, 2012, 08:05AMI can share my experience with the the AL...
Even after extensive playing and time to adapt it lacked focus and clarity for me...
Ditto
ttf_Bone Appetit
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Difference between a Bach 6.5AL, 6.5A, and 6.5AM

Post by ttf_Bone Appetit »

Bill Watrous uses the AM for his 36
ttf_Trombocholik
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Difference between a Bach 6.5AL, 6.5A, and 6.5AM

Post by ttf_Trombocholik »

Quote from: Bone Appetit on May 13, 2017, 06:52AMBill Watrous uses the AM for his 36

I thought Watrous plays Bach 16M and Mt. Vernon 11C. Image
ttf_Matt K
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Difference between a Bach 6.5AL, 6.5A, and 6.5AM

Post by ttf_Matt K »

Quote from: Trombocholik on May 13, 2017, 12:34PMI thought Watrous plays Bach 16M and Mt. Vernon 11C. Image

I would be surprised if he didn't own more than one trombone.
ttf_Trombocholik
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Difference between a Bach 6.5AL, 6.5A, and 6.5AM

Post by ttf_Trombocholik »


Quote from: Matt K on May 13, 2017, 12:37PMI would be surprised if he didn't own more than one trombone.


It's his style and his sound concept. I can't imagine it on a Bach 36.(IMHO)
ttf_Bone Appetit
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Difference between a Bach 6.5AL, 6.5A, and 6.5AM

Post by ttf_Bone Appetit »

Here's what Watrous said in an interview with the Sept '94 issue of the Instrumentalist magazine:

"A lot of players use 6-1/2AL's; locally that seems to be a standard mouthpiece, especially with younger players...I find it difficult to center on them because of the shape of my face and what I'm used to.  A 6-1/2AM works better with my 36." 

He does indeed use the MV11C on his LT16M, altered in this way: "it opens up to a New York back bore similar to Bill Ratzenberger's Jet-tone mouthpieces.  It opens up the throat so the sound sails instead of being constricted."
ttf_Bone Appetit
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Difference between a Bach 6.5AL, 6.5A, and 6.5AM

Post by ttf_Bone Appetit »

Here's what Watrous said in an interview with the Sept '94 issue of the Instrumentalist magazine:

"A lot of players use 6-1/2AL's; locally that seems to be a standard mouthpiece, especially with younger players...I find it difficult to center on them because of the shape of my face and what I'm used to.  A 6-1/2AM works better with my 36." 

He does indeed use the MV11C on his LT16M, altered in this way: "it opens up to a New York back bore similar to Bill Ratzenberger's Jet-tone mouthpieces.  It opens up the throat so the sound sails instead of being constricted."
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