Mouthpieces similar to King 7C… also what is the relationship between shank and bore size??

[pbj]

Hey y’all, looking to pick up the horn after a couple years away. I’m unfortunately down my favorite mouthpiece, a king 7C (https://elbblech.de/en/products/king-7c ... ner-schaft). Can’t seem to find it for sale anywhere! Anyone have recs for similar mouthpieces or mouthpieces around the 7C size they’ve got on well with?

Also, is there any relationship between shank size and bore size? I’m looking for a small or medium bore tenor (somewhere around .500 or .525). Will both those bore sizes work well with a small shank mouthpiece? What size horn will I start to no longer be able to use a small shank piece??

I know I can probably google some of these questions, but I think it’s more fun chatting here

[BGuttman]

You should be able to find Bach 7C mouthpieces pretty easily. Also look for Faxx 7C mouthpieces which are copies of old Bach 7C mouthpieces but considerably less expensive.

Slightly larger would be the Bach 6¾C. Lots of folks seem to like them.

There is a Denis Wick 7CS. Rim is a little odd. Some folks like them (I do) and some folks hate them.

Schilke 47.

There is a Klier that matches, but I don't know the number.

As to which shank, all of the instruments you are considering take the Standard (small) shank. Symphonic and bass trombones use the large shank.

[pbj]

Thanks Bruce, super helpful! Will take a look through some of those mouthpiece options

[Slidennis]

Some 7C sizes can be found in both small and large shanks : Yamaha 47 for instance.
(not so advised for a large bore trombone, but as a beginner mpc, it can help...)
Otherwise, the 6.5 AL size is THE size for a transition from small bore to large bore trombones...
...and certainly the reference size for the middle bore (.525") ones (small shank)

[pbj]

Thanks Denis, I hadn't considered how the mouthpiece size might be limiting depending on the bore size of the horn... if it isn't already obvious I have not thought critically about my setup much before.

I'm a bit scared of using larger mouthpieces, but maybe not for good reason. My usual horn (which is unfortunately across the atlantic now) was a king 3B. I used a 6 1/2 AL marcinkiewicz which had been gifted to me for a while, and then my teacher suggested I switch to a 7C and I found that much, much nicer to play overall. My lips seemed to fit the mouthpiece better, and it seemed a bit more responsive. For context, my focus at the time was mostly jazz trombone.

I know you can't tell over the internet why I didn't get along with the slightly larger mouthpiece. But what are reasons people might struggle with something a little bigger in general? Poor technique? Doesn't match their horn as well? Lip size/shape? All of the above? Something else?

[Doug Elliott]

Of the two most common embouchure types, one generally does better with larger mouthpieces and the other generally does better with smaller mouthpieces.
It's not as simple as lip size or shape... the embouchure types function differently.

[pbj]

Ah super interesting - I’ll have to read up more on that, thanks!!

[KingThings]

Lots of good ideas here. The 3B was designed by King for the 11M mouthpiece. It is a bit unusual in that it has a very long shank, quite wide rim.....sounds great on a 3B (smooth). I have a couple of 3B horns and have tried a bunch of mouthpieces on them......they respond well to most anything depending on what works for you. For a "commercial" sound I use a Benge 12C that has more edge.....a 6 1/2 Faxx gives a bit more depth, but I still prefer the 11M. There was also a couple of King 28 models that were used on earlier small bore Kings.