TromboneChat

Hi everyone — I’m looking for recommendations for stainless steel or otherwise non-silver/gold-plated bass trombone mouthpieces that are no bigger than 28.8 mm rim diameter. I currently use a Schilke 59 and an older Stork 1 (~28.5 mm rim width) and I’ve been playing stainless on tuba for about a year and love the response and feel. I’ve seen brands like Giddings, AR Resonance, and Pickett (including some with acrylic rims) and would appreciate tips on specific models that might fit me.

Get Doug Elliot stuff with lexan rims. mmm. comfy.

DE with lexan would be my vote. IMO there are not many good Giddings designs, especially on the smaller side.

Symington 1.5G and 2G in zirconium are both excellent. They have similar qualities to steel including being completely hypoallergenic. Only problem is it’s expensive and it’d be a pain to import from the U.K to state side right now.

Doug Elliott offers Lexan rims. Greg Black and Bob Reeves both offer Delrin rims. I like the feel and bite on the Greg Black Delrin rims a lot.

I have some Giddings that I had threaded for LB rims. I almost never reach for them. They're both Chinook, one in Titanium and one in Steel. Similar to the Shilke 60s. I've never performed with the titanium one. The steel one I used once for a Ska gig. I almost always use what others have suggested here: Elliott lexan rim with an Elliott cup/shank.

For a Schilke 59ish feel, an LB112/LBK works well if you want something similar to the Schilke 59, but with a lexan rim. Depending on how much bass I am doing, I'll either reach for something slightly smaller or slightly larger than that myself.

I think what you'd want from Giddings is the Karif.

Stainless is a completely different feel and sound from acrylic/delrin/lexan. I'd go so far as to say if you really like one you'll hate the other.

I am biased, but I like:
https://www.gwmouthpieces.com/collectio ... mouthpiece
And I do like titanium!

Parker dunkel ss rims fit on de lb cups

GabrielRice wrote: Mon Oct 27, 2025 7:40 am I think what you'd want from Giddings is the Karif.

Stainless is a completely different feel and sound from acrylic/delrin/lexan. I'd go so far as to say if you really like one you'll hate the other.

I have a Giddings stainless & wedge plastic. Love both types.
I mostly use the wedges as they take pressure away from a damaged part of my lip.

Kelly is also making Stainless steel pieces:

https://www.kellymouthpieces.com/kmstainlesstbecontour/

jpwell wrote: Sun Nov 30, 2025 7:12 pm Parker dunkel ss rims fit on de lb cups

Reach out to Dave Houser. The Dunkel (branded Parkr but made by Dave) is a great shank and cup combo with MANY rim options. The rims are labeled 1mm larger than actual ID, so consider that. I’ve got a fre and play them in regular rotation.

Giddings pieces are different… but the Kadja is a great tenor/euph piece & Karif for bass. The Don Harwood is pretty good too if you want to sound like a chainsaw.