Wedge Mouthpiece concept

[Tim Jackson]

Can anyone offer their experience with the wedge products? Seems very interesting and they do offer a return/trial.

Thanks,
Tim Jackson

[Billy M.]

I had a chance to test out a Wedge for a little bit, Tim. I honestly was not impressed with it at all. But as with anything in this world, YMMV.

[opus37]

I have been using a wedge sj solo for several years. It does work well for me. It has a sharp inner edge which helps with articulation. In performance, it is very similar to a Bobo Solo mouthpiece. The wedge concept does work giving me added endurance, but it isn't dramatic. Would I purchase this mouthpiece again, yes. Am I considering another maybe. It is comfortable to play. I hope this helps.

[Ken Crawford]

I've used a wedge mouthpiece quite a bit. The wedge concept is less effective for tuba than it might be for trumpet. The mouthpiece at the sides of your embouchure is already applying less pressure because of the curvature of your jaw. A trumpet or trombone mouthpiece is smack dab in the middle of your face. So I think the concept is less effective on tuba. I noticed no benefit, or detriment with a wedge, it made no difference.

[PaulMaybery]

There is another feature on the Wedge aside from the rim contour. The cup is actually oval shaped, that being a little narrower from side to side, than top to bottom. It is hard to see with the naked eye. I find the combination of the two does make it feel just a tad different from say the Helleberg 2 or the Schilke Geib that they reference. I use the HB2 Wedge with a euro shank on my horns from time to time. That particular one I have in Delrin with the brass collar that beefs up the sound a bit.
Last week I played a Cimbasso solo and the Delrin HB2 was perfect in balancing with a piano and still going for a strong colorful sound. Right now I'm using it on the CC BAT and it works like a charm.

Initially I purchased a few models in the black Delrin as they are much less expensive. I found I like the Delrin quite a bit. The feel of the rim is smooth but not slippery. The lightness or weight seems to allow the horn to feel more agile. I had a prominet top tier symphony tubasit over the house a few nights back and we did a comparison. Even in a large room I could not detect losing too much weight or depth of sound from a metal piece to the Delrin. I think the difference might be something the player notices on their face or from under the bell.