TromboneChat

I have a Q36YA and I have a question about the 1 1/4G mouthpiece that came with it. This is the first Picket mouthpiece I have ever tried and I am wondering how they compare to other popular brands. Also being new to bass Tbone I am not sure how exactly to evaluate the situation. I did a search on the Pickets but I didn't really see much stated about it except for a few people selling their excess.

My Shires bass came with a 1¼ MD (it started out as a Q36YR). It's shallower than my Corp. 1¼ G. I've played it a little. (When I bought it the big criterion was that it had to work with the Elliott--I don't want to get on the mouthpiece merry-go-round again.) From that experience, it's not a bad mouthpiece at all, but I prefer my Elliott. I'd say that I prefer it to the Bach mouthpiece. If memory serves, my Elliott is a MB110N/K/K8. That's a touch smaller rim than the 1¼ G, cup's about the same depth as the 1¼ G.

As to Pickett mouthpieces generally, I play in a British Brass Band. We have people in the cornet, tenor horn, and baritone sections who play Picketts. No one in the trombone section plays a Pickett. Pickett mouthpieces are good pieces if they work for the player and their instrument. That's always going to be what the test is.

I just realized I posted this in the instrument category not mouthpiece, reposting it here to be in the appropriate area. I have a Q36YA and I have a question about the 1 1/4G mouthpiece that came with it. This is the first Picket mouthpiece I have ever tried and I am wondering how they compare to other popular brands. Also being new to bass Tbone I am not sure how exactly to evaluate the situation. I did a search on the Pickets but I didn't really see much stated about it except for a few people selling their excess.

Have you checked out my favorite: viewtopic.php?f=58&t=375&hilit=mind

The stock mouthpieces that come with most horns are pretty "generic", and intended to work with the horn and with a large number of people as a starter mouthpiece. I would see how it works for you, and if it doesn't look for another. It's probably a slightly modified "modern" Bach 1 1/4G design.

Merged the two topics.

Thanks BGuttman

Could you clarify a couple of things please? Namely, model and maker? What is stamped on the mouthpiece?

The reason I ask is that to the best of my knowledge, Pickett doesn’t make a “1 1/4 G.” There are the original lines of Shires, current Shires line which are made by Pickett, and then the specific Pickett brand and models. I have / have had all of those and could give some $0.02 opinions once I know what you have.

J

JMudge,
It's the original MP says shires 1 1/4G. From everything I have read it's made for them by Picket.

TBEnthusiast wrote: Thu Mar 20, 2025 9:31 pm JMudge,
It's the original MP says shires 1 1/4G. From everything I have read it's made for them by Picket.

Yes but if it says Shires then it's a Shires piece possibly made by Pickett-subtle difference. I see what JMudge is talking about.

JMudge and WGWTR180 ,

I checked and it is indeed a 1 1/4MD Shires.

I have a 1 1/4MD, good medium size piece. Pretty shallow for that size, I use mine on my Yamaha 8130 that really needs less cup volume to work well. Not my choice for all playing, pretty shouty on other horns.

Burgerbob ,

Thanks for the info. I am still trying to figure out all this BTbone thing. There are so many options now it's hard to sort out what will be beneficial from all the marketing noise.

Tony

Ok…..that makes sense. That’s the standard piece that comes with many Shires Q or Custom basses. The original lines were named Vintage and New Classic and were made in house by Shires. Currently the line is seen as Shires USA and is made by Pickett. I won’t bore you with all the differences unless you want to know some of them. What you have is a Shires mouthpiece; Shires’ specs for dimensions, weight, design, etc just made by the Pickett company for them. In the older line there used to be MD, D, and XD versions. Like Burger Bob said the MD is shallower, but a medium size piece. Overall, it’s a good match for the standard Shires horns. The 1 1/4 MD is similar to a Laskey 85MD, but is slightly larger in specs and feel (feel is more my subjective opinion). If comparing to the specific Pickett line it is similar to the Pickett 1.5s.

The Pickett pieces are very nice, but a little different. Many players use them, but there aren’t many bass folks advertised. They have 2 different rim shapes, 2 cup weights, and 3 cup depths as well as 1 or 2 piece models. The regular weight blank is pretty hefty and the cups are deeper than many expect. Those are deterrents for some players. The lightweight blank is an alternative, but some find it too light. Like anything they’re good for some but not all. It’s an option to consider down the road.

The 1 1/4 MD is a good place to start. Spend some quality time with it and see if it works for you. Then take a look elsewhere. That mouthpiece rabbit hole can be difficult for some of us to climb out of. Hope some of this helps.

J

JMudge,
Oh the rabbit hole looks really deep. Lol. I have been playing it (the 1.25MD) since Feb 15th. I didn't really want to look at other options until I had a month or so of time just to get used to it. Being I live pretty remote there isn't a place to try multiple mouthpieces anywhere close. Your information is extremely helpful and given me some insight so far.
Thanks,
Tony

Just bought a Laskey 95D and comparing it to a Dennis Wick 0AL on my Bach 50B2O. The Laskey is great for developing the lower register, but I'm not sure whether the control sensitivity is me or the mouthpiece. It is huge at 29.5mm, and I've found that the Wick is easier to control but not as reliable on the lower pedal notes (again, that may just be the musician, not the instrument). I do prefer these to the Bach 1-1/2G that normally comes with this horn though.