TromboneChat

As I have been playing bass more and more I find my Schilke 58 to be a tad on the small side. I have a Schilke 59 I've been experimenting with that's currently seems a bit on the large side (still need to put more time on it). Depending on how the 59 works out I might look to something more in-between, maybe a 110 in DE terms. Just curious if anyone has had experience with mouthpieces around that size, DE or otherwise.

There are so, so, so many better pieces in the size range of the 59. I'd try some of those first.

Since you mentioned it - why not try a Doug Elliott setup in your desired size range?
Certainly better for me than a Schilke 59 - or any Bach mouthpiece.

Posaunus wrote: Wed Oct 22, 2025 9:48 pm Since you mentioned it - why not try a Doug Elliott setup in your desired size range?
Certainly better for me than a Schilke 59 - or any Bach mouthpiece.

Honestly that'll probably be the first thing I'll do once I get a better idea of what I do/don't like about the Schilke. Was curious about 110 sized rims. Most of the time when mentioned people seem to gravitate more to 108 or 112.

Actually 110 is a pretty popular size. For some reason everybody skips over 111.
I just made LB J, K, and L cups. And one J+, which may become a new standard size when I can make more.

Elliott LB J setup is great for larger 1.5G. I played on a LB114, LB J cup and J8 shank for years.

I’m a big fan of the Greg Black 1.5G. IMO best 1.5G out there. Looks and sounds like a 1.5G but feels like a modern mouthpiece. If you want to go George Robert’s style the 1 7/16G is another good choice.

Finally don’t forget a Symington 1.5G! Amazing Mount Vernon style piece.

Depending on how you like your sound the Curry 2.oD and 1.5D are in that range, and are very conical. They brighten up the sound but play like a deeper cup. Stork are similar and Ferguson V and L kind of fit into that range too. (feel smaller sound bigger)

Ive also got the DE MB, LB, XB in the J and K cups with 110/112/114 rims. The DE stuff is really good. It's fun topoke around and zero in on the best combo with his stuff. I've been trying to move to the smaller sizes, like 110 J, even though the 112 K gives a better sound. The K leaves my chops feeling more tired.

I just got a Duo Gravis, which will probably work better with the smaller pieces.

hyperbolica wrote: Wed Oct 22, 2025 11:49 pm It's fun to poke around and zero in on the best combo with his stuff.

... and extremely educational -- from both the perspective of learning about how different combinations of rim/bowl/shank work and learning about what works best for YOU.

I've been trying to move to the smaller sizes, like 108 J, even though the 110 K gives a better sound. The K leaves my chops feeling more tired.

From my perspective, a critical factor is how the mouthpiece fits the mouth I have. I like how my mouthpiece sounds with the 110 overall, but it's just a bit small and "constraining" for me, and inhibits freedom in the double valve range. We all have different faces. Maybe someday I'll try a 111, but the 112 seems to be killing it at this point. I've experimented heavily with 110, 112, and 114 rims, and 8, 9, and 10 shanks. So I know where the limits are.

I got a Markey 85 mostly to see what it was like, and it's a really good mouthpiece, but my DE set-up is just better for me, especially in the low range. I've kept the Markey as a "backup", but the DE is just better for me. Maybe the Markey 87 would have been a better trial, but feared it was more likely to be a bit "too big". I'll never know since I don't see any point in continuing that experimentation.

Doug Elliott wrote: Wed Oct 22, 2025 11:09 pm Actually 110 is a pretty popular size. For some reason everybody skips over 111.

What % of people would you say chooses MB vs LB for the 110 rims (since the rim size overlaps)?

MB 110 tends to restrict the low range, LB 110 opens it up. Different cup volume, and what GR called the "alpha angle," his made-up name for how the rim inner edge goes down to the cup.
The MB series is great for 107, 108, and 109 rim sizes, the "1-1/2G and slightly larger" feel.

Doug Elliott wrote: Thu Oct 23, 2025 5:31 pm The MB series is great for 107, 108, and 109 rim sizes, the "1-1/2G and slightly larger" feel.

For the 110, would the LB series be better for a "smaller 1.25)?

Yes, exactly. And it would have the openness to produce easier low range.

I like the MB rim. More flat than the LB I think? But thats me. Many good mouthpieces mentioned above. Except the Schilke 59 didn't work for me, I got too diffuse sound. 58 works ok for me. I'm little curious about the Markey 85? Rim size is 1 1/4? and shape? How does it feel?

Leif

hyperbolica wrote: Wed Oct 22, 2025 11:49 pm Depending on how you like your sound the Curry 2.oD and 1.5D are in that range, and are very conical. They brighten up the sound but play like a deeper cup.

+1 for the Curry mouthpieces! I use a Curry 2D for 90% of everything, and for that other "high" playing, had Doug Elliott thread my Curry 1.5G for MB rims, on which I have a MB108. Don't sleep on these!

bassboy wrote: Fri Oct 24, 2025 8:36 am +1 for the Curry mouthpieces! I use a Curry 2D for 90% of everything, and for that other "high" playing, had Doug Elliott thread my Curry 1.5G for MB rims, on which I have a MB108. Don't sleep on these!

You know I was thinking of doing just that with the Curry 1.5D. How does that 108 fit? I'd probably also get a Curry 2.0D done. I'm kind of addicted to Doug's lexan rims.

I really enjoy using a wider diameter rim on a smaller size cup. For me it's DE LB 113 J, J8. Also the lexan rims are so comfortable.

hyperbolica wrote: Fri Oct 24, 2025 2:59 pm

bassboy wrote: Fri Oct 24, 2025 8:36 am +1 for the Curry mouthpieces! I use a Curry 2D for 90% of everything, and for that other "high" playing, had Doug Elliott thread my Curry 1.5G for MB rims, on which I have a MB108. Don't sleep on these!

You know I was thinking of doing just that with the Curry 1.5D. How does that 108 fit? I'd probably also get a Curry 2.0D done. I'm kind of addicted to Doug's lexan rims.

It fits pretty good! Not 150,000% flush with the cup, but close enough for comfort. I just got through using it for my Oktoberfest gigs (2-4 hours each) and had no issues. Doug's work is great, as always.

Maybe consider a GB 1 3/8 or 1 5/16 ?

Another option would be a Griego 1.5. IMO this plays somewhere between a 1.5 and 1.25.