Show CartTrombone, Euphonium, and Tuba Mouthpieces
"I ordered and received a Wedge mouthpiece for my F-attachment trombone several months ago. After using it for some practice and a few gigs, I find that the Wedge mouthpiece is the best I've experienced. I found that I was able to produce a sharp, focused sound and extend my high range within minutes! During the gigs, I was able to play for hours. Although my lips were fatigued, I played well past the point where I normally would blow my lip. It was like having a second, third, and fourth wind.
I am well satisfied with this mouthpiece. In fact, I'm saving my pennies to purchase another one for use with my smaller-bore trombones.
Dave Noe, hobbyist-level musician, Boulder, Colorado"
"I have somewhat of a testimonial to share with you regarding your Wedge mouthpiece. Late July 2011 I bought a 4.5G trombone wedge mouthpiece from you. I started using the mouthpiece in early August, and since then my playing has improved dramatically. Between then and now, and amongst other successes like a strong Doctoral Recital, the following items have found their way onto my resume (in chronological order):
Winner: UA Trombone Studio Auditions
Winner: Sierra Vista Symphony 2nd Trombone Audition
Winner: UA Concerto Competition (Winds and Percussion Division)
Winner: Shen Yun Orchestra Audition
Winner: Disneyland All-American College Band Auditions Summer 2012
Finalist: Pershing's Own National Collegiate Solo Competition
This is my 13th year of playing a low-brass instrument, and I've never had a year that was as successful as this one. As you might imagine, I consider a fair part of that success to be attributed to your mouthpiece. To be specific, I think the mouthpiece "taught" me how to use the corners of my embouchure more effectively. To those who might say that the Wedge is more of a "teaching tool" than a true performance piece, my response is this list, all achieved on my Wedge.
So, thank you!
Alex van Duuren, M.M.
Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Arizona
Doctor of Musical Arts Candidate in Trombone Performance
Independent Professional - Trombone, Euphonium, Piano"
The Wedge Line of Trombone Mouthpieces
We offer two lines of Wedge trombone mouthpieces, the Standard Wedge line and the Gianluca line.The Standard Wedge line is based on common Bach and Schilke sizes. The Gianluca line is a Signature line developed for Gianluca Scipioni of the Gomalan Brass. Information about the Gianluca line can be found on Gianluca's endorsing artist page.
Standard Wedge models currently available are 12C, 7C, 11C, 6.75C, 6.5AL, 5G, 5GS, 4.5G and S59. Available soon - 4G, 3G and 1.5G.
Prices: Plastic $75, Silver $205, Gold $275.
Small Shank Sizes Compared
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Large Shank Sizes Compared
All Profiles Compared
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Wedge trombone blanks come with 6 shank / backbore sizes.
Our large shank mouthpieces have an exit wall thickness of 35/1000", unlike some Bach mouthpieces such as the 6-1/2AL with a very thick exit wall. Our smallest large shank LS1 mouthpiece backbore therefore feels relatively open.
Small Shank
SS1 - Small backbore with a .230 inch throat. Standard on 12C and 7C small shank mouthpieces.
SS2 - Larger backbore with a .230 inch throat. Standard on 6.75C small shank mouthpieces.
SS3 - Similar to SS2 but with a larger .260 inch throat. Standard on 6.5AL, 5GS, 5G and 4.5G mouthpieces.
Large Shank
LS1 - LS backbore with a .230 throat. Standard on 12C, 7C, and 11C, 6.75C large shank mouthpieces.
LS2 - Same backbore as LS1 with a larger .260 throat. Standard on 6.5AL, 5GS. Option on 4.5G and 5G mouthpieces.
LS3 - Larger backbore than LS2 with larger .275 throat. Standard on 5G, 4.5G. The LS3 has a .298 throat on the S59.
Wedge Tuba Mouthpieces
We have just introduced the first in our line of Wedge tuba mouthpieces.
H2
The Wedge H2 is based on the Schilke Helleberg II tuba mouthpiece. The Wedge H2 will feel very familiar to player who currently use a Schilke Helleberg II, but will deliver a more even response in all registers with more core and clarity in the sound coupled with improved articulation and better flexibility. Both brass and plastic versions are available in all tuba models.
7B
The 7B which is smaller than the H2 and is an excellent choice for a player looking for a larger F/E-flat or smaller CC mouthpiece design. It retains the fundamental qualities of the Conn-Helleberg 7B /Cooley Helleberg design, but with Wedge advantages.
SG
The SG is based on a Schilke Geib mouthpiece with a slightly deeper cup cup and a Wedge rim. It has a slightly more bowl shaped cup than the H2 and is designed to work especially well on rotary instruments.
See what players are saying about the H2 on the TubeNet forum.
Wedge Modified Trombone and Tuba Mouthpieces
In addition to our own line we still have a limited stock of models in Bach 6 1/2 AL (large and small shank), 12C, 11C, 7C, 5G, 5GS, and Schilke 58 sizes. These are based on an actual name brand mouthpieces re-machined to have a Wedge rim. A small notch is placed on the outer rim to aid in orientation since the curves of the trombone Wedge are more subtle than those of the trumpet models. In addition to our own line we will continue to offer the option to have your own mouthpiece modified.
Any existing low brass mouthpiece can be machined in this way. The result is a mouthpiece with a more comfortable rim, a bigger sound, better flexibility, and more secure upper register than a conventional rim. You can order a Wedge modification of most popular sizes. If I do not have a blank in stock I can usually bring one in within a week or two. The cost of a Wedge based on a blank I have to order in is the cost of the custom work added to my actual cost cost of the base mouthpiece. I can often find a reasonably priced used piece, which will look and play as new once machined and plated.
You can send any trombone, euphonium, or tuba mouthpiece for a Wedge modification. The mouthpiece will be scanned and a new Wedge rim will be constructed by computer modeling in RhinoCAD. The rim will then be machined on a CNC mill to produce a Wedge profile on the side rims without touching the top and bottom portion of the rim. The lateral dip is relatively small on trombone models, so that the cup volume loss resulting from the modification does not make the mouthpiece play appreciably brighter. The entire mouthpiece is then re-plated. Trombone - $175. Tuba - $185.
"The Wedge has opened a whole new world to me, namely the upper range of the horn. I have always had range and endurance problems, and have had to work hard for a big sound. The Wedge has mitigated these in an astonishingly short time -- 2 months. As advertised, it makes me play correctly and comfortably, opens my sound and gives me access to the high range without undue fatigue. I'm still happily popping C - F even after a couple of sets of Latin music, and am making it to the end of the fourth big band set of the day without having to back off.
I've tried various conventional and unconventional set-ups over the past decade or so: big horn/small mouthpiece, vice versa, Parduba double-cup, Monette, Doug Elliot, and many others. They all have very positive aspects, but none so dramatic as the Wedge. The Wedge is the only piece of equipment that has ever brought immediate, major improvement in every aspect of my playing. Audiences and colleagues have all noticed.
Dr. Dave has really done it."
Jeff Presslaff