Vince Mai

Vince Mai

Endorsing Artist

"I first encountered the Wedge a few years ago and thought it was too strange to work for me. I just looked at it and thought - this is too radical.

Last year I met Dr Dave I decided to give it a go and we went through a series of fittings and modifications to suit my playing needs and embouchure.

I am very happy to say that this mouthpiece delivers in range, endurance AND sound. Even though my upper register has increased, my lower register actually got bigger! This has not been the case for any other conventional mouthpiece I've tried. I've got a flugel wedge as well and have used both mouthpieces in the studio and on stage with great satisfaction. They have made a huge difference in my enjoyment of trumpet playing!"

"I first bought a used 3CC top and beat up Warburton 8* backbore from the internet to give the Wedge a try. Prior to this I was switching back and forth between a GR 65MX and Yamaha Bobby Shew Jazz for jazz and legit, a Reeves 41SV for shows and Latin work, and a Monette BL2 for lead.

When I got the mouthpiece in the mail I immediately brought it to my monthly small group Latin gig. I played two sets on it and was totally impressed with my ability to play to the top of my range, all night, with a completely even, open sound. More than impressed. I woke up the next day to absolutely no pain, swelling, or bruising, a feeling that was totally new to me. I knew that there was something to this rim shape and I had to find out more.

I called Dr. Dave and we talked for a long time. Prior mouthpieces, musical styles, how he discovered and developed his rim concept, etc. We got on great immediately. I wanted to order a couple pieces, and it turned out he was coming to New York the following week. He came to my gig at Birdland and gave me about 4 mouthpieces, including a 5DC top with a heavy medium backbore to try. I played it the whole gig and loved it! I have never instantly bonded with a line of mouthpieces like this before. Smooth from the bottom to the top of my range and I didn't have to change anything about my playing. Endurance, power, evenness, and intonation have all improved considerably. Two days later we were hanging out in a bar comparing mouthpiece scans in his computer over several beers.

After trying several lead tops and backbores, we're still tweaking the perfect one for me. I am totally happy with a 3CC/8* for jazz combo and classical, the 5DC/heavy medium for shows and big band, a 3FLX for flugel, and we're making a top for lead. All through this, Dave has been nothing but attentive and responsive to my needs. He has a great way of customizing pieces for people that don't come in his line, and his new standard line of pieces are great, too. Every time I practice on the Wedge, I feel my chops getting stronger, and I'm working muscles all the way back to my jaw. I want everyone to know about the Wedge, and I recommend them wholeheartedly. Dave's service can't be beat!"

Matt Hilgenberg

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