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I have for many years played Denis Wick mouthpieces and had been very happy with the sound and feel of them. I have over the years built up a collection of them and had settled on a 2SL.

I resumed taking lessons last November and one of the first things my teacher did was give me a PT88 to use in my Eb 4 valve compensator.
The difference in the sound was immediate and permanent I also noticed that the tip of my nose tingled more when using the PT88.

My question is other than the differences in the rim profile can anybody detail what the other differences are between a PT88 and a DW2SL

This is -- to me -- an interesting question, although I'm not sure I have a very interesting or applicable answer to it. I've been playing my EEb (981 clone) for about eight months now and have been vacillating between PT and DW mouthpieces for much of that time.

For me, a PT88 is too large. I used to play a PT89 on my BBb horn, but it was a little too big for me as well. However, I think it might work well (for ME) on an EEb horn. I just tried a PT90 and found that it wasn't quite as good for me as the PT63 that I've been using.

I would say that the PT88 is "bigger" than a DW2SL -- look at the dimensions, but also it will just feel bigger. But the 2SL is intended as a "solo" mouthpiece. So I wonder why you'd be using it on an EEb as a general mouthpiece. However, if it fits you and does what you want to, then why change? So one question is "WHY did your instructor want you to change?" If there isn't a really good reason for this, then I'd be concerned? What PROBLEM is meant to solve? What is that change supposed to do for you? In my view, you shouldn't change mouthpieces unless there is a reason for doing so.

Just today my new mouthpiece arrived. What is it? It's a Wick 2XL. Why that? Because I've decided -- after a lot of experimentation -- that it is the best one for me. I've been switching between the PT63 and the Wick 2L for a few months now. Each has an advantage. The PT63 is more comfortable. Just feels good. And it produces a nice tone and intonation. The 2L slots better and produces a somewhat richer tone, especially in the lower register. I found myself thinking that I'd in general prefer the 2L EXCEPT that the rim isn't as comfortable. I find that if I play for an hour on the 2L rim, it just feels like a bit of a struggle. I can play all night on the PT63 rim, and it's great -- but it doesn't give me quite the intonation and resonance as the 2L does. I suspect that I would be happy with a PT89 on this horn, but I also determined that the 2XL would be just great. So that's what I've decided on -- basically a 2L with a more comfortable rim. I know that this will make some high register stuff a bit more challenging. But I'll deal with that over time. And if I need to I can switch to the PT63 or my TU17 for higher stuff. I don't expect that will be necessary.

Otherwise, just in terms of physical characteristics I think you would discover that the PT88 is a deep bowl-shaped (German) mouthpiece while the Wick 2L/SL/XL are more funnel-shaped (Helleberg). I generally prefer the bowl style, but in this case I'm going with the Wick 2XL.

Hi bloke I have never test driven one of your mouthpieces I did buy one of those 24AW small shank pieces you had awhile ago I passed it on to band mate.
I did not expect to want to use the PT 88 and it is bigger than the 2SL but it produced a totally more satisfying tone without adversely affecting my intonation or range.
The tingle I believe is a result of the greater resonance as my nose does not touch the rim.

sousaphone68 wrote: The difference in the sound was immediate and permanent

Well I believe they were
It would be easier to describe the likeness then differences between them as they are pretty much on each side of the scale.

The PT88 is larger than usual to be used with an Eb tuba, but many do use these big monsters with 3+1 comps
Two just in my town (that I know of) and both also twice your size

I do not find it a miss-match to the rather inefficient 3+1, but for me it's just not the right tool
As for the 2SL...I do not know the SL that much. I used the 2L for many years back in the 80s
before moving over to larger more bowl shaped (or Geib shaped) pieces.

Small and shallow pieces in British style brass bands is IMO very often a bad fit.
I'm close to provoked if a person shows up with a PT64/65 or similar in his tuba
unless he is to be standing in front of the band.

If you can control the PT88 and also play above staff with ease and in tune it might be a good piece for you
If not.....Try move over to something smaller like the PT84 (similar sized rim, 32/8/rounded and deep bowl)
You will probably be able to produce a much more interesting tone than with the 'monochrome' 2sl