Rim Options
Standard, Cushion, and Gabriel rims are offered. They differ primarily in terms of the outer diameter and side rim contour. Top / Bottom and Side contours are shown below.
Top / Bottom Rim
Side Rim
The Cushion rim has a slightly wider lateral rim and a lateral dip of 30/1000 of an inch, compared to 40/1000 of an inch with the Standard rim. Cushion rims are designated by a "C" at the end of the name. A mouthpiece with a 3 diameter, standard rim, and C cup depth is a 3C. A mouthpiece with a 3 diameter, C cup and cushion rim is a 3CC. The cushion rim has a softer bite, and transfers some pressure from the top and bottom rims to the lateral rims. It provides a little more corner support and feels more like a conventional mouthpiece. The difference in lateral dip also makes the cushion rim models 10/1000 inch deeper and about 6/1000 inch greater in diameter at a point measured 40/1000 inch below the crest of the lateral rim. Cushion models are therefore intermediate in size between the corresponding standard model and the standard model one size larger.
Because of the slightly larger diameter and deeper cup of the cushion model it does play a little bigger with a fuller sound and an upper register that is a little more work than a corresponding standard rim. The standard rim tends to provide slightly better flexibility.
What is the deciding factor in choosing a rim style? The most prominent difference between the two rims is that the Cushion rim feels as though it has a very soft bite. So, if you tend to like a soft bite the Cushion rim is a great choice. If you like a sharper, but still not sharp bite, the Standard rim would be better.
Because the lateral dip on the Cushion is less than on the Standard, the Cushion rim does help to prevent bottoming out on the very shallow E and F cups. So if you want to try a shallow Wedge, but tend to bottom out, a Cushion rim is an option to consider.
Gabriel Rims
The Gabriel rim was introduced as part of our first signature line of mouthpieces. It is an extra wide cushion rim with less lateral dip than either the standard or cushion rim. It is an excellent choice for those players who feel too much pressure on the top lip from the cushion rim. Stock Gabriel rims only come in a 10.5 rim size. However, a Gabriel rim can be purchased in any size as a custom order. Gabriel rims add slightly to the cup diameter and depth compared to a cushion rim. Their diameter is 12/1000" larger than a comparable cushion rim measured side to side at .04" below the crest of the side rim, and the same ID as the other rims measured top to bottom.
For more information about the complete Gabriel line go to the Gabriel page.