Top Sizes
Looking for a quick guide to choosing a Wedge size? This isn't it. If you want a quick answer, go to the Quick Size Chart. You will also find descriptions of some of our most popular models there.
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.
Sizing of trumpet mouthpieces has become a complex and confusing issue. Rim sizes are typically determined by measuring the rim inside diameter (ID) at some point below the crest of the rim. The point of measurement varies between manufacturers, making comparisons difficult. Typical points at which measurements are taken are 0.03 or 0.04 inches below the crest. A difference of 0.01 inches in where a rim is measured relative to the crest can change the measured rim diameter by more than one size in the system, so one needs to know the measurement convention of each manufacturer, which is often not stated.
The subjective feel of the rim size is influenced by the rim outer diameter (OD), contour, position of the crest relative to the ID and OD, and sharpness of the ID contour, or bite.
Trying to place the Wedge sizing system within this context is complicated by the unique shape of the rim, and the fact that the rim ID varies at different points around the mouthpiece. The cross section of the top/bottom and side rims are not the same, as seen in the diagram below. In all models they intersect at a point 0.08 inches below the crest. Above this point the top/bottom cross section ID is greater than the side cross section ID.
The sensation of rim size with the Wedge is a composite of the larger top to bottom and smaller side to side dimensions. The oval shape of the Wedge rim means that it will feel larger or smaller depending on whether you are focused on the top/bottom or side rims.
Top / Bottom Rims
Side Rims
All rims in a given size and style (Standard, Cushion. or Gabriel) are identical above the intersection point at 0.08 inches, producing a very consistent feel for all depths of mouthpiece in that size. Cushion rims are about 6/1000 inch larger than standard rim diameters measured at a point 40/1000 below the crest of the side rim rim. They therefore feel a bit bigger. Gabriel rims are 16/1000 larger than the standard rim measured at the same point. However, the diameter of the rims measured from top to bottom are is the same for all rim styles.
Mouthpieces of larger and smaller rim diameters are scaled up or down in 0.01 inch increments, but retain the same rim shape, cross sectional contour, and distance between the ID and OD.
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 | ||
| 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 |
Cups Depths
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. 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. The cup depth is similar to a Schilke A cup. 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 Bach 7E shaped cup, scaled to the appropriate rim size. 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. It feels similar to a Warburton S cup or Bach 7E cup scaled to the appropriate size, but sounds bigger, especially in the upper register, and is easier to play up there.
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. The A cup with an M profile is our most popular cornet mouthpiece.
Modified (m) Cups
The EF cup was the original m cup. 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. A Wedge Cm cup is compared to a more shallow C cup and deeper B cup below.
MX cups are also available. These have an extra roomy cup with an M profile. The cup is actually one size larger than that usually used for the rim.
Double (D) Cups
Double cup models are now available as on option on certain mouthpieces. This contour can selected for D, E, or F cups. It is designated as the "D" modification. The D modification has several effects.
- More open blow similar to opening the throat.
- Markedly improved mid and lower register sound.
- Opens up horn above the staff.
- Enables the use of a smaller, more efficient backbore.
The double cup increases total cup volume. The overall effect is to allow the player to use a mouthpiece that might otherwise be too small or too shallow. For example, a player might find that a 5EC is their optimal lead mouthpiece. Anything smaller or shallower, for example a 7FC, sounds small, feels small, and shuts off above the staff. Switching to a 5EC-D will produce a much bigger sound in all registers of the usable range, but might cost one or two notes at the very top end of the range. However, the effect on the mid to lower register is more pronounced than the slight detrimental effect on ease of the upper register.
Switching to a 7FCM-D or 7FC-D may allow the player to use a smaller mouthpiece diameter and shallower first cup. Adding the M and D modification together makes the cup feel roomier - which can be helpful if the player is close to bottoming out in the mouthpiece. The double cup on the 7FCM-D produces a much bigger sound than the 5EC, while the smaller first cup volume seems to predominate in terms of range. The upper register is better on the 7FCM-D than on the 5EC or the 7FC.
The size of the double cup also influences tone color. A relatively small double cup increases volume and adds edge while optimizing upper register performance. A relatively larger double cup adds volume and breadth to the sound with less affect in the upper register.
Finally, because the double cup broadens the sound some players find they can use a smaller and more efficient backbore without adversely affecting tone in the mid to low register.
The image below shows the profile of a 5EC (red) compared to a 7FC (blue) and 7FCM-D (green).
Cornet Cups
We have 3 additional deep cups for cornet.
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 Wick B cup (shown here as W4B) is a medium deep cornet cup based on a contour very similar to a Wick B, modified to be used with the Wedge rim.
The British cornet cup is a deep funnel shaped cup suitable for players who desire the classic British cornet sound.
These mouthpieces can be provided in a 27, 25, or larger throat as desired.
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.
Choosing a Size
The correlation between the player's regular piece and most appropriate Wedge size is only rough at best. There are several possible explanations for this. The current regular size might not be optimal. Depending on what component of their playing the person has emphasized they may have compromised one aspect of their sound for another. Every mouthpiece choice is a compromise of some sort. One player might be using a piece that is a bit big in order to get a full sound at the expense of range, and another might compromise fullness by choosing a smaller piece in favour of range.
Because of the unique way that the Wedge interacts with a players setup these various compromises might play out differently on a Wedge than on other equipment. So the player might be able to meet his or her needs with a very different size.
The primary consideration in choosing a mouthpiece is performance, or the sound coming out of the end of the horn. A mouthpiece might feel a different size than another, but provided that performance does not suffer the new size can often become the new "normal" quite quickly. Many of us have experienced this sensation when changing sizes. Just try playing a euphonium for half and hour and try going back to your trumpet mouthpiece if you are not used to doubling. The trumpet mouthpiece feels tiny.
So rather than asking players if a Wedge feels close to their regular mouthpiece I think it is more important to see if it feels comfortable and performs better than their current mouthpiece throughout the range of the instrument. That is why I insist that players first check the fullness of the bottom register in order to make sure that it is satisfactory.
The unique feature of the Wedge is that the increased efficiency of the rim usually produces a larger, fuller, more focused sound, with greater ease of upper register playing than a conventional mouthpiece of similar size. So downsizing is often an option, which serves to further augment the upper range performance.
The Bottom Line
You can usually get the correct rim diameter by selecting a Wedge with a Mean Diameter from the table above equal to or slightly larger than the diameter indicated by the manufacturer of your current mouthpiece. For the more common mouthpieces options are shown on the Quick Size Chart page. Cup depths as described above correlate quite well with other manufacturers descriptions of extra shallow to very deep cups. M cups provide a little extra depth at the expense of some efficiency.