Dennis Wick Mouthpiece for 88H

[composer57]

I am thinking about ordering a Wick HeaveyTop 5BL for my 88H. Any thoughts on this mouthpiece? Been using a Bach 5 and 6. THANKS!

[BGuttman]

I'm not an advocate of heavy mouthpieces. They take more effort to play.

But a Wick 5BL is a great choice for any large bore. Watch out if you have the old taper receiver (often called Remington; actually Brown and Sharpe). Any mouthpiece with the normal (Morse) taper will not fit properly.

[composer57]

I'm not an advocate of heavy mouthpieces. They take more effort to play.

But a Wick 5BL is a great choice for any large bore. Watch out if you have the old taper receiver (often called Remington; actually Brown and Sharpe). Any mouthpiece with the normal (Morse) taper will not fit properly.

Thanks!

[ghmerrill]

I'm not an advocate of heavy mouthpieces. They take more effort to play.

I don't think I've noticed them taking more effort, but a heavy mouthpiece can certainly be different from the lighter (or "standard") version. I really like my heavy Stork 1.5. But I tried a heavy Wick 0L and couldn't stand it -- although I found the standard Wick 0L to be just fine.

I'd try to get one from somewhere that accepts returns, and then try it out before you're committed to it. Hickey's does that, for example.

[Kevbach33]

I'm not so sure going straight for the heavy top Wick mouthpiece will be wise.

Like Bruce, I'd try the classic version first...

...And then also give the Heritage version a run through.

These have different mass distribution: the classic has more mass at the top (the blank looks like a modified funnel of sorts), whereas the Heritage shifts that mass to the middle of the blank (giving it more of a tulip shape).

Non sequitur: When people says the old Conn mouthpieces (2, 3B, Remington, etc) are "tulip-shaped" in profile, I view them more like lilies. So for Wick, Classic : lily :: Heritage : tulip. Different strokes, I suppose. /Non sequitur

Anyway, the different blanks can change how the overtones are layered/balanced, and also affect the color of the resulting sound. Only you can decide which will better suit your needs, and if you feel they are too light, then try the heavy top.

[MahlerMusic]

I have always wanted to get the Wick/88h combo to work because of the history, but the standard version was too fuzzy/buzzy. I ended up getting the Heritage 4ABL which was better for me but the Conn 5G that came with the trombone was still the winner. Will try Greg Black next.

[chromebone]

Classic 5Al on an 88H is a perfect combo. Denis Wick said the 5AL was designed with the 88H specifically in mind. The older 5AL’s from the 80’s and early 90’s are different than the newer ones-the rim is slightly smaller and the cup not quite as deep as the newer ones. I’ve heard the modern 6Al is more like the old 5Al. All of the Wicks got bigger at some point. The shank usually fits ok into a Remington lead pipe. They seem to use a dual taper.