Can you recommend a mouthpiece that pairs well with a Michael Rath bass trombone?
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Can you recommend a mouthpiece that pairs well with a Michael Rath bass trombone?
Hello.
I play a Michael Rath R9. Its specifications are an independent ROTAX valve system, a 9-1/2" red brass bell, and a parallel bore lightweight nickel silver slide.
I'm struggling to choose a new mouthpiece and would appreciate any recommendations you might have.
Currently, I use a Griego Markey 85. Before that, I used models like the YEO, the Marcinkiewicz Reichenbach model, and JK.
I am now considering the W.C. Schmidt USA1-1/4. What are your thoughts on this choice?
I play a Michael Rath R9. Its specifications are an independent ROTAX valve system, a 9-1/2" red brass bell, and a parallel bore lightweight nickel silver slide.
I'm struggling to choose a new mouthpiece and would appreciate any recommendations you might have.
Currently, I use a Griego Markey 85. Before that, I used models like the YEO, the Marcinkiewicz Reichenbach model, and JK.
I am now considering the W.C. Schmidt USA1-1/4. What are your thoughts on this choice?
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Re: Can you recommend a mouthpiece that pairs well with a Michael Rath bass trombone?
You seen to have gone through multiple mouthpieces. What exactly did the mouthpieces you tried previously not do that you wanted them to? The ones that you mentioned are WAYYY different in how they play. I don't know much about the JK 01BK-L or the EBT1 Reichenbach model, but the Yeo has a huge cup volume compared to most mouthpieces.
What is the Markey 85 not doing that you want it to? Also, what leadpipe are you using with the Rath? I would think most mouthpieces would work well with a Rath horn, but I don't know what your sound concept is. For myself, I tend to use different mouthpieces based on the horn and also based on the repertoire.
What is the Markey 85 not doing that you want it to? Also, what leadpipe are you using with the Rath? I would think most mouthpieces would work well with a Rath horn, but I don't know what your sound concept is. For myself, I tend to use different mouthpieces based on the horn and also based on the repertoire.
David S. - daveyboy37 from TTF
Bach 39, LT36B, 42BOF & 42T, King 2103 / 3b, Kanstul 1570CR & 1588CR, Yamaha YBL-612 RII, YBL-822G & YBL-830, Sterling 1056GHS Euphonium,
Livingston Symphony Orchestra NJ - Trombone
Bach 39, LT36B, 42BOF & 42T, King 2103 / 3b, Kanstul 1570CR & 1588CR, Yamaha YBL-612 RII, YBL-822G & YBL-830, Sterling 1056GHS Euphonium,
Livingston Symphony Orchestra NJ - Trombone
- Burgerbob
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Re: Can you recommend a mouthpiece that pairs well with a Michael Rath bass trombone?
Markey 85 should be a great match.
Aidan Ritchie, LA area player and teacher
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Re: Can you recommend a mouthpiece that pairs well with a Michael Rath bass trombone?
Maybe ask Tim at Rath's? Mind, they will probably recommend one of theirs!
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Re: Can you recommend a mouthpiece that pairs well with a Michael Rath bass trombone?
Rath R9s are pretty mouthpiece tolerant. Most sizes can be made to work. There are some good mouthpieces in the Rath line-up , some of which I designed. Leadpipes are another way of fine tuning your setup. You can spend a lot on pipes and mouthpieces and in the end practice is the most important element of all.
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Re: Can you recommend a mouthpiece that pairs well with a Michael Rath bass trombone?
I remember in the early days of Rath players like Blast and others who were involved in the "testing phase" were playing 1 and 1/2G size pieces and the horns worked great with that size mouthpiece. Not sure if there have been any design changes through the years that might have affected that way that size piece works as many players have moved away from that size.
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Re: Can you recommend a mouthpiece that pairs well with a Michael Rath bass trombone?
My R9 plays pretty well with large mouthpieces but it really seems to light up with a 1 1/2G. I really like my Greg Black 1 1/2G with my R9.
Rath R1, Rath R3, Rath R4, Rath R9, Minick Bass Trombone
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Re: Can you recommend a mouthpiece that pairs well with a Michael Rath bass trombone?
Just thinking about this....I currently have three different Rath basses, and with the mix n match possibilities I have many combos to work with. Any and all combinations work well with anything from a MV 2G through to the big beasts presently in fashion. Leadpipes however, can make a big difference.
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Re: Can you recommend a mouthpiece that pairs well with a Michael Rath bass trombone?
I've never heard of it, and I suspect it's a generic mouthpiece made for a low-cost stencil instrument. Who knows? Maybe it's great.hashkz wrote: Fri Sep 26, 2025 9:03 am I am now considering the W.C. Schmidt USA1-1/4. What are your thoughts on this choice?
What don't you like about the Markey 85?
Gabe Rice
Stephens Brass Instruments Artist
Faculty
Boston University School of Music
Kinhaven Music School Senior Session
Bass Trombonist
Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra
Vermont Symphony Orchestra
Stephens Brass Instruments Artist
Faculty
Boston University School of Music
Kinhaven Music School Senior Session
Bass Trombonist
Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra
Vermont Symphony Orchestra
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Re: Can you recommend a mouthpiece that pairs well with a Michael Rath bass trombone?
I currently use a GP6 in my R9. Not the biggest mouthpiece out there but a lot bigger that a 1 1/2 size piece. I’ve tried different size pipes (all brass) in the brass single bore slide, and personally have settled on the standard 9 brass pipe. I have a Griego Deco 1.5 that I occasionally use but for me that plays bigger than a ‘standard’ 1.5 if that’s even a thing anymore.
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Re: Can you recommend a mouthpiece that pairs well with a Michael Rath bass trombone?
Werner Schmidt is anything but a generic brand. It's a German made 1-1/4.GabrielRice wrote: Mon Sep 29, 2025 9:09 amI've never heard of it, and I suspect it's a generic mouthpiece made for a low-cost stencil instrument. Who knows? Maybe it's great.hashkz wrote: Fri Sep 26, 2025 9:03 am I am now considering the W.C. Schmidt USA1-1/4. What are your thoughts on this choice?
What don't you like about the Markey 85?
https://www.schmidt-brass.de/englisch/m ... mbone.html
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Re: Can you recommend a mouthpiece that pairs well with a Michael Rath bass trombone?
Good to know, thank you!JonTheCadet wrote: Mon Sep 29, 2025 10:12 am Werner Schmidt is anything but a generic brand. It's a German made 1-1/4.
https://www.schmidt-brass.de/englisch/m ... mbone.html
Gabe Rice
Stephens Brass Instruments Artist
Faculty
Boston University School of Music
Kinhaven Music School Senior Session
Bass Trombonist
Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra
Vermont Symphony Orchestra
Stephens Brass Instruments Artist
Faculty
Boston University School of Music
Kinhaven Music School Senior Session
Bass Trombonist
Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra
Vermont Symphony Orchestra
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Re: Can you recommend a mouthpiece that pairs well with a Michael Rath bass trombone?
Did I just see the Schmidt hit the fan ?

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Re: Can you recommend a mouthpiece that pairs well with a Michael Rath bass trombone?
Better 'Klier' that up before it gets too 'LOUD'
- deanmccarty
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Re: Can you recommend a mouthpiece that pairs well with a Michael Rath bass trombone?
I use a Long Island Brass Eon series currently and it is fantastic. I have their new Symphonic series on order and am expecting it to be quite good… I have one for my tenor and it is fantastic.
Dean McCarty
“Have a good time... all the time.” - Viv Savage, Spinal Tap
VoigtBrass Artist
Rath R9D, LIB 750
Voigt 188-FXG, LIB 525/550
Rath R10, LIB custom
Voigt 711, LIB custom
Voigt 173-FGg-K, LIB standard contra
“Have a good time... all the time.” - Viv Savage, Spinal Tap

VoigtBrass Artist
Rath R9D, LIB 750
Voigt 188-FXG, LIB 525/550
Rath R10, LIB custom
Voigt 711, LIB custom
Voigt 173-FGg-K, LIB standard contra