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Re: Wick mouthpieces
Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2007 1:36 am
by Dean E
Bob1062 wrote:Simply enough, I am curious about the Wicks's size and rim. I understand the 1,2, and 3 are cut from the same blank, and the 4 and 5 are cut from a different blank.
Would anyone happen to have a picture of the 5 main sizes (1,2,3,4,5) or know where there is one? The Wick site, like apparently ALL mouthpiece sites, only seems to show one mouthpiece (the same?) for every one.
I am interested in the 4 and 5, but really don't want a chunky 24AW-style rim. I would rather go fro the slightly bigger 4 than the wider-rimmed 5, even though I am looking for a smaller mouthpiece.
I can only imagine that the 5 has a wider rim than the 4, but have nothing to back this up other than the above mouthpiece blank info.
Thanks!!
I have no photos of the Denis Wicks, and know nothing about the blanks, but here are the rim widths:
DW4 .271 in.
DW5 .281 in.
I have a DW5, and it looks like this image:

Re: Wick mouthpieces
Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2007 2:15 am
by Donn
Bob1062 wrote:
I am interested in the 4 and 5, but really don't want a chunky 24AW-style rim. I would rather go fro the slightly bigger 4 than the wider-rimmed 5, even though I am looking for a smaller mouthpiece.
I can only imagine that the 5 has a wider rim than the 4, but have nothing to back this up other than the above mouthpiece blank info.
Mine is an old style, like Dean's, and I don't have a 4 to compare, but the 5 is not a chunky rim. Narrowest tuba rim I have, about the same as Schilke 51D. Nice mouthpiece, though the plating was skimpy in spots. The style change was really regrettable, I think.
Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2007 2:19 am
by SplatterTone
I'll throw in a tangent here and note that Yamaha has
65: approximate equivalent of Bach 25
64: smaller with normal cup and medium rim
66: bigger with normal cup and medium rim
66B: shallow cup with medium rim.
66D4: deep cup with big throat and moderately fat rim. I learned on it and this was my friend for about two years.
I have the Wick 5 and 3 in small shank with the new, simple appearance. The 5 rim is narrower than the Yamaha rims, and the outer edge is more rounded. The inside diameter of the 5 is very close to that of the Yamaha 64.
Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2007 10:55 am
by iiipopes
If this means anything: there are guys who occasionally use a Wick 4 or 5 for bass bone to get a rounder tone when called for and a bit more comfort than the "traditional" bass bone mouthpieces. So you know the rims can't be too wide!
Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 10:24 pm
by SplatterTone
I don't have a Bach 25, but have a Faxx 25. The Wick 5 is a tiny bit deeper. Cup diameter is too close to call. Throat on Faxx 25 is bigger. A La Quinta Inn ink pen will fit through Faxx 25 throat but not Wick 5 -- science at its most accurate and best.