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.

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 he 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.

All rims in a given size and style (Standard or Cushion) 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 lateral rim. They therefore feel a bit bigger. 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.

WEDGEStandard Rim	Diameter at .04
	Top	Side	Mean
1	.696	.66	.678
1.25	.691	.655	.673
1.5	.686	.65	.668
3	.676	.64	.658
5	.666	.63	.648
7	.656	.62	.638
10.5	.646	.61	.628
12	.636	.60	.618

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 - Shallow for ease in upper register and piccolo trumpet. Similar to a Bach 3E shaped cup scaled to the appropriate rim size.

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 Wedge C cup is intermediate in depth between the Bach 3C cup, and the C cup depth found on other Bach mouthpieces such as the 1-1/2C or 7C.

B - This is an excellent choice if you are looking for a darker orchestral sound similar to a Bach 1-1/C.

A - Extra deep V shaped cup, an excellent cornet mouthpiece.

Throat Sizes

The Wedge is available in a #27 (0.144") or #25 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.