Custom mouthpieces

[Todd S. Malicoate]

There are several custom mouthpiece makers. IMO, Doug Elliot and Warburton are two of the best.

[jonesbrass]

There are several custom mouthpiece makers. IMO, Doug Elliot and Warburton are two of the best.

I definitely agree with this. I've worked with both Doug Elliott and Terry Warburton and they're top-notch.

[AFtuba]

You should have a look also to Romera Brass

http://www.romerabrass.com/" target="_blank

[Jeff Keller]

also try pickett brass. He specializes in custom trumpet mpc's but can make you anything. I'm currently prototyping with him now and Peter is one heck of a guy ( as well as a genius mechanical engineer and fantastic trumpet player!)

j

[GC]

Vladimir Fridman is still listed on the Dillon Music web site. He has 37+ years experience in making and customizing mouthpieces.

Kanstul has a custom mouthpiece shop and can do some very interesting things, including laser scanning and computer duplication and alteration of existing mouthpieces. They also do some strange and interesting things with mouthpiece cups, like using exotic woods.

[Art Hovey]

In the UK there is Cleave Brass:
http://selectyourdomainname18.art.offic ... fault.aspx
They can make curved rims like mine, but with stainless steel.

[iiipopes]

I have had two mouthpieces "customized." Vladimir @ Dillon Music recontoured the rim of my Curry 128D so it fit me better (stock is too wide for me), and his craftsmanship and in-house plating are top notch.

Second, I wanted an 18-style mouthpiece with the same rim in a 1.28 diameter, and Jim @ Kanstul did a magnificient job taking their stock 18 and using their computer altering it to fit so I had the mouthpiece for the tone I wanted out of my 186 with the recording bell.

I say this because "customizing" can be either taking a stock mouthpiece and modifying one or more parameters to suit, or designing a whole new mouthpiece, whether based on an existing model or not.

As GC posted, either Vladimir @ Dillon Music or Jim @ Kanstul can do great work on whatever you want: simple modifications, modified current models, or even models from scratch.

CAVEAT: I knew exactly what I wanted going in, and knew up front the $$ requirements and that there is NO return on custom work. Unless a person has sufficient experience as a player to be able to really fine-tune differences in mouthpieces, and describe with accuracy what is desired, then it is a waste of time. But for a person who can tell the difference and meaningfully communicate that difference so it can be translated into metal, it can mean the difference between constant frustration and being able to be freed to completely focus on the music. I am only a slightly above-average player, due to time constraints of music being the avocation, not vocation, but I was taught well, so it was definitely worth it to me so I am not constantly being frustrated or fidgeting. These are my main two mouthpieces: the Curry for the upright bell and the Kanstul for the recording bell for my 186.