Denis Wick SM ULTRA4 XR

[pvflanigan]

I agree about the "mpc lending library". It would be a great way to try out various mouthpieces without having to invest a lot of money doing so in an effort to find the one that works best for you.

[miketeachesclass]

If I could figure out a way to make it work without being worried people would keep them without returning them, I’d do it.

[John Morgan]

Maybe require a deposit that they get back when they return the mouthpiece(s). Or the pink slip to their car.

[miketeachesclass]

Maybe the pink slip to their horn...

[highpitch]

Depending on which horn of mine we're talking about, that might be a great deal...

Dennis

[guidocorona]

All, a discussion on MP lending library is fascinating but.... It is cocooing inside the nest of this lovely and narrowly defined thread on the Wick SM4XR MP.... How about giving the cocoo its own fine nest... Perhaps Dave Werden can migrate MP Library posts to their own dedicated thread... Besides refocusing this thread to its original topic, it would give the MP Library idea so much more visibility.

Regards, G.

[miketeachesclass]

Yeah, I digress a little too often.

That said, I did take some photos of the SM4XR in comparison to other pieces, and I have a number of thoughts on how it plays. I’ll try to post those after a concert today.

Mike

All, a discussion on MP lending library is fascinating but.... It is cocooing inside the nest of this lovely and narrowly defined thread on the Wick SM4XR MP.... How about giving the cocoo its own fine nest... Perhaps Dave Werden can migrate MP Library posts to their own dedicated thread... Besides refocusing this thread to its original topic, it would give the MP Library idea so much more visibility.

Regards, G.

[guidocorona]

Hello Mike, I am looking forward to read your thoughts about SM4XR post your use of it in the concert yesterday! G.

[miketeachesclass]

Ok, so I played on this piece for a while.

First, while it carries the SM4 name, it feels SUBSTANTIALLY smaller than any of the other SM4s to me. (Standard, U, and X). In fact, it could have carried a totally different product line designation, and I would believe it.

The rim is rounder on the outer edge, which makes endurance a little easier. I was a little surprised how mich this made a difference, as I would have assumed previously that’s the inner rim contour would make a bigger difference.

In terms of sound, I just couldn’t make it sound the way I want to sound. I felt it lacked a firm core, and possibly had a little more balanced toward upper harmonics, and it was just brighter than I like. That being said, it may work for you if you play a dark horn and want to push out in front of a band.

I’m glad I tried it, but I wouldn’t replace it if I lost it.

[Nacho]

SM3 Denis Wick

Eyyyy
I have the SM3 and I love the sound, but It stays low pitch (Sorry i'm spanish, i no control english, the expression un spanish IS "se queda bajo de afinación)
What can be a good solution?
I play a Yamaha 642

[Simes]

I will say that I felt it lacked the core sound I’m accustomed to and dare I say it sounded more trombone like than I’m comfortable with, at least in the player’s position.

And that neatly sums my issues with SM range, be it classic, Ultra, Ultra X, and no doubt Ultra XR. I wonder if he’s thought about putting the word “tron” on the end? Or excelsior. That’d be good.

[euph8]

My experience with the SM4XR

I bought a Sovereign 967T five weeks ago, converting after 36 years playing a Willson 2900 with a Schilke 51D. Since I have become primarily a bass trombone player, I have found I need a trigger for intonation or I tire too quickly from lipping pitches (after becoming accustomed to blowing the true pitch on the bass trombone.) I also have played very little euphonium over the past 16 years.

With that as a background, I began searching for new mouthpieces, settling on the Mead SM4X so far; though the Mead 3 and 3.5 sure feel good and sound great in the low register, I have little endurance or accuracy in the highest register.

My experience with the SM4XR is that it certainly aids the high register and endurance but suffers in tone and flexibility in the low register. So far, I haven't really worked with it a lot as if it were my main mouthpiece.

I suspect I will switch in and out of the SM4XR when playing extended high range music -- which as you know, is more and more often in all the great new literature that is being written. (Hey, if I had wanted to play French horn, I would have bought one and done that!) For now, the SM4X is my weapon of choice. I'll know better as I get into September and can begin devoting a couple of hours a day to euphonium.

[franz]

With K&G mouthpieces I found what I was looking for. I have already moved from Schilke, SM, SMU, SMX and I'm not intrigued to try anything else.

This weekend I attended a masterclass with Steven Mead; he has play with a new mouthpiece, completely different from the previous ones, which will be on sale soon. It has an external V-shape reminiscent of the first series, but with much more mass around the rim. It seems to me that he said it will be called "MITHOS", or something like that. I put a blurred photo, just to give an idea of the shape.

[davewerden]

This weekend I attended a masterclass with Steven Mead; he has play with a new mouthpiece, completely different from the previous ones, which will be on sale soon. It has an external V-shape reminiscent of the first series, but with much more mass around the rim. It seems to me that he said it will be called "MITHOS", or something like that. I put a blurred photo, just to give an idea of the shape.

That's exciting news to me! I have come to believe that part of what I like about my classic 4AL is the shape of the body. Perhaps the lesser mass in the cup and throat area allow it to have the open, singing sound that I have yet to find in any other mouthpiece with "fatter" bodies (i.e. most of them on the market). I'll keep an eye open! (Steve advises that it will be several months before any real news/availability.)

[miketeachesclass]

That is interesting!

Of additional note, there is a new SM3XR that is apparently similar to the 4XR.

That's exciting news to me! I have come to believe that part of what I like about my classic 4AL is the shape of the body. Perhaps the lesser mass in the cup and throat area allow it to have the open, singing sound that I have yet to find in any other mouthpiece with "fatter" bodies (i.e. most of them on the market). I'll keep an eye open! (Steve advises that it will be several months before any real news/availability.)