Trent Austin

Endorsing Artist

Hello trumpet friends in cyberspace:

A lot of people have been asking questions about the Wedge so I thought it was about time I wrote down a brief synopsis of the Wedge experience. There's some old info in this post but I thought it would be good to boil it all down to one generic "testament" to the mouthpieces that really make my playing life fun again.

When I was the height of my "despair" during my recent struggles with allergic reactions to silver and gold and then the subsequent disappointment in every "alternative" design (Lexan, Delrin, wood, platinum, rhodium, aluminum, stainless steel) I sent Dr. Dave an email. We've sold items in the past and I remember how great he was in those transactions. He offered to send me 4 tops for a trial and we were to go from there.

I anxiously waited at my mailbox like a kid staring at the chimney on Christmas Eve. To be honest I really didn't think these pieces were going to help but I was desperate for a solution to my issues (other than switching to piano). After all at this point I had pretty much exhausted every option available. I was at my wits end.

The pieces came really fast in the mail, perhaps in 3 days (Vancouver to Boston, mind you). I opened them up around 9:30 and let played them a bit. Here's what I wrote shortly after:

"With all the buzz about these new pieces, all my recent issues with chop irritation, and me being the epitome of a "gearhead" I just wanted to let people know I ordered a few of these to try out! Even in half-of-a-day (I took the 3CC to my gig this morning, Dave after playing on it for 5 minutes) I'm REALLY pleasantly pleased! So much that my Monette stayed in the case for my gig and I played the Sonare and 3CC combo!"

I read an article by Dave Bilger saying that if a mouthpiece didn't make an immediate impression (other than on your chops) it probably wasn't for you. After trying to make a bunch of mouthpieces "work" in the past I was a bit on the fence in regards to this. The Wedge really took no time to "acclimate" to. I played a gig a few hours after getting them in the mail. I noticed an instant improvement in response, tone colors, intonation, and of course feel.

My overall spread and sound was a little softer than before but this was a temporary reaction to the new mouthpiece. After a few days I began to realize that these Wedges were changing my playing. The design of the Wedge was making my embouchure and corners especially much greater participants in tone production. I also noticed my sound was getting richer and my projection better. The best part, however, was that the mouthpiece did not make my chops burn. AT ALL! This makes no sense to me, my GP, and my allergist. I told him and he said that if it doesn't hurt to continue to run with it. I have and haven't stopped playing them since then.

Here are (after about about 5-6 months on the pieces) my general observations in my own playing:

1. All of my sound qualities from "conventional" pieces are in the Wedge. Initially I struggled with a bit out outward projection but once my chops fully adjusted to the Wedge (a week or so) everything was comparable.
2. My practical range improved by two half steps.
3. A great aspect of these pieces for me is that I have the exact same range and control on all the cups. What that means is that my overall trumpet feel stays the same but the tone changes. It's really neat that I can put the 3B in and still go up to d's/eb's above DHC (top of my semi-practical range) but the sound/projection changes when I go to the 3C, or 3D. G's and A's are rock solid.
4. No pain (just muscle fatigue due to hours of practicing).
5. Greater control over soft volumes.
6. Greater variety of tonal colors (probably due to the different cups).
7. Switching over to conventional rims (flugel until the Wedge comes out) is very easy.

I can't believe how much fun it is to practice without pain again. The years of thinking I was weak and wimpy are gone. I can't imagine ever putting another mouthpiece up to my chops again. Dr. Dave has really done something new and exciting here. He's also made the joy and passion come back in my playing due to the fact I'm practicing a LOT more now. I owe him so much I don't think I could ever repay him. He's a class act every way. He's really sincere, he listens well, he's open to suggestions, he seeks out the truth in every player. It's very rare to have makers be all of these things.

Once again, thank you Dr. Dave... you've really made a tremendous impact in my playing, embouchure health, and overall quality of music.

Sincerely,

Trent Austin