Show CartTop Sizes of the Original Wedge Line
If we offer a Wedge Standard Brand version of a mouthpiece that you are quite happy playing that Standard Brand mouthpiece is usually the best option. However, the Original Wedge line lets you choose options if your mouthpiece is not offered as a Standard Brand model, or if you want to fine tune something about a mouthpiece that is offered there by choosing from the original Wedge line.
The Original Wedge mouthpieces are named according to their Rim Size, Cup Depth, Rim Style, and Throat, in that order. A mouthpiece with a standard rim has no rim designation in the name, and a cushion rim model has a C after the cup depth. For example, a mouthpiece with a 3 rim diameter, B cup, Standard rim contour, and 27 throat would be a 3B-27. A mouthpiece with a 3 rim size, B cup, Cushion rim contour, and 25 throat would be a 3BC-25.
Rim Diameters
Rim sizes offered are 1, 1.25, 1.5, 3, 5, 7 and 10.5 and 12. Cushion rims have the letter C at the end of the name after the cup depth. An excellent starting point is usually to choose a Wedge rim with a Mean diameter close or slightly larger than the published diameter to the mouthpiece you are playing.
| WEDGE Rim | Diameter at .04" into the cup | ||
| Top |
Side Standard / Cushion / Gabriel |
Mean Standard / Cushion / Gabriel |
|
| 1 | .696 | .66 / .666 / .676 | .678 / .681 / .686 |
| 1.25 | .691 | .655 / .661 / .671 | .673 / .676 / .681 |
| 1.5 | .686 | .65 / .656 / .666 | .668 / .671 / .676 |
| 3 | .676 | .64 / .646 / .656 | .658 / .661 / .666 |
| 5 | .666 | .63 / .636 / .646 | .648 / .651 / .656 |
| 7 | .656 | .62 / 626 / .636 | .638 / .641 / .656 |
| 10.5 | .646 | .61 / .616 / .626 | .628 / .631 / .641 |
| 12 | .636 | .60 / .606 / .616 | .618 / .621 / .631 |
Trumpet Cup Depths
Original Wedge cup depths range from the shallow F cup to the deepest A cup. They are a modified V in shape.
F - The F cup is very shallow, and is suitable for those players who like the Bach F, Warburton ESV, Monette VS, or similar models, and who do not tend to bottom out.
EF - The EF cup is very similar in depth to the F cup, but has a more bowl shaped cup with a sharper shoulder into the throat. The second cup and start of the throat is therefore tighter than the E cup. It produces a big, cutting sound, while being more resistant to bottoming out than the F cup.
E - The E cup is the most popular choice for playing lead trumpet and is also preferred by some players for Piccolo trumpet. Wedge mouthpieces are unique in that even relatively shallow cups such as the E and F cups maintain a relatively full lower register. The timbre of the lower register is quite consistent with that of the rest of the range of the horn, not having the nasal quality sometimes heard from lead mouthpieces below the staff. While sounding relatively dark with lots of core for a shallow mouthpiece, the E cup will scream when pushed.
D - Between shallow and medium. Similar to a Warburton S or Schilke A shaped cup. The D cup is a good choice if a slightly brighter sound and ease of upper register response is desired. It is a great Piccolo piece. It is deep enough that bottoming out is not a problem for most players.
C - The C cup is a modified V cup similar in depth and volume to Bach 3C, Schilke B or GR M cups. It is the most popular choice for all round playing. Despite the medium depth it tends to play darker than other cups of similar volume, with a full lower register and excellent core the sound.
B - The B cup is a medium deep modified V cup which produces a very full sound while maintaining good efficiency in the upper register. It is well suited for orchestral, small jazz combo, and other applications where a well balanced but relatively dark sound is desired.
A - Extra deep V shaped cup. This cup is popular for jazz combo, cornet, and rotary trumpet when a dark tone is desired.
Modified (M) Cups
M cups are more bowl shaped than the original Wedge cup. They are less prone to bottoming out in the shallow cups, feel roomier, and produce a broader, more orchestral sound in the deeper cups.
Because of the increased cup volume they are not quite as efficient for upper register playing. The first choice for most players will still be the original cup.
Double Oval Cups (DOC)
The new DOC cup is a variation on the M cup with a more extreme Wedge design. The oval shape of the rim is increased by making it narrower from side to side compared to the top to bottom dimension, and that accentuated oval shape is carried into the cup. The rim AND cup are therefor both oval in shape (Double Oval). The cup itself has an M type contour. This redistribution of cup volume works with the Wedge rim to produce a very efficient mouthpiece. The OD of the rim is also increased and the bite tends to be sharper.
All new custom and Standard Brand mouthpieces now incorporate the DOC, although the Original Wedge design still has it's loyal fans who prefer the original shape. The illustration below shows the difference between a Wedge 3CC, 3CCM, and similar sized B3C DOC based on a Bach 3C cup.
Trumpet Throat Sizes
The Wedge is available in a #27 (0.144") or #25 (0.1495") throat. Larger throats can also be ordered for no additional charge and do not delay delivery.
Mouthpiece tops can be matched to variety of backbores in order to fine tune the playing characteristics of the mouthpiece. Visit the Backbore page for more information on this topic.
Deep Cornet and Flugelhorn Cups
We have additional deep cups for cornet and flugelhorn.
The Am cup is the M version of the original A cup. It is a moderately shallow cornet cup that gives a dark tone but excellent upper register performance.
The WB cup is a medium deep cornet cup based on a contour very similar to a Wick B, modified to be used with the Wedge rim. This is a very popular cornet cup that also works well as a relatively shallow flugelhorn mouthpiece.
The FLC cup is deep cornet or medium deep flugelhorn cup. It is similar in depth to a Bach flugelhorn cup. This is a good all round cup depth.
The Wick cup is a deep funnel shaped cup suitable for players who desire the classic British cornet sound.
The FLX is our deepest flugelhorn cup.
A and Am cups are usually provided with a 27 or 25 throat.
WB cups can be provided with a 27 or 25 throat, or can be made from a Flugelhorn blank and used with our large throat (#14) short cornet backbore for a British cornet style mouthpiece.
Deeper FLC and W cornet cups are made from a flugelhorn blank and are used with a short cornet backbore and #14 throat..
