5 Mouthpiece Comparisons - Video

[davewerden]

I did this for quick comparison only. In each video only 2 mouthpieces are used, one of which is my own 4AL. This is to give you an idea of the way mouthpieces can change tone color. There are 3 short excerpts, each one played back to back on the 2 mouthpieces. Covered are Schikle 51D, Bach 5G, Wick 4BL, Wick 3AL, and Bach 6-1/2AL:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...9KJ0sFNI5jjEo_

[mbrooke]

Listened to the 4AL v %1D. For the Brisk Young Sailor, I preferred the 4AL. For Danny Boy, I preferred the 51D, and for Fairest, it was a toss up.

Mike

[Rodgeman]

I watched the Wick 4AL vs Wick 3AL and enjoyed it. The comparison you use is a great idea. In my mind the Wick 3AL gave a little bit deeper, richer tone. However, that may be due to my preference for larger mouthpieces. Either way thank you for the videos as I found it informative.

[euphisto]

Thanks for posting this. There are differences in tone on each mouthpiece, but not much (or not as much as one would expect). Your sound carries through! As a matter of curiosity, were the 51D and 3AL your least favorite?

In addition to tonal colors, it seemed that articulations were easier on some mouthpieces.

Thanks again, these videos are great!

Robert Pendergast, DM

[davewerden]

Thanks for posting this. There are differences in tone on each mouthpiece, but not much (or not as much as one would expect). Your sound carries through! As a matter of curiosity, were the 51D and 3AL your least favorite?

In addition to tonal colors, it seemed that articulations were easier on some mouthpieces.

Thanks again, these videos are great!

Robert Pendergast, DM

Thanks! The 51D and 3AL are the only mouthpieces I didn't play for any extended period, so perhaps I sounded less comfortable. Of those 2, it's hard to pick a winner. For practical reasons, and considering my age, if I had to choose between then I'd go for the 51D. The 3AL really gets airy up high and loses too much center.

[davewerden]

I watched the Wick 4AL vs Wick 3AL and enjoyed it. The comparison you use is a great idea. In my mind the Wick 3AL gave a little bit deeper, richer tone. However, that may be due to my preference for larger mouthpieces. Either way thank you for the videos as I found it informative.

I agree with your assessment. But I would surely struggle with the 3AL for a lot of euphonium solos.

[davewerden]

Listened to the 4AL v %1D. For the Brisk Young Sailor, I preferred the 4AL. For Danny Boy, I preferred the 51D, and for Fairest, it was a toss up.

Mike

Proving once again that it is hard to find one mouthpiece or one horn that does EVERYTHING the best!

[aroberts781]

Thanks for starting this thread Dave! I have really been enjoying those videos you've been sharing and had been meaning to post about them. It was really helpful for me to hear these comparisons as I work through my own personal changes from 3AL/DE105 to ultimately something more in the 51D or 4AL range.

I agree with what has been said by you and others in this thread that different mouthpieces seemed to suit different excerpts. I love your point about it being hard to find one mouthpiece or horn that does everything the best.

It is also interesting how subjective it is for the listener. After giving the 4AL/51D video several listens my preferences were a tie on Brisk Young Sailer, 4AL on Danny Boy, and 51D on Fairest of the Fair, which is pretty different from mbrooke's preferences.

[Shawn]

Useful set of comparisons, and well chosen passages of just the right length (so I remember Option 1 while hearing Option 2).
Thanks very much.

[RickF]

Nice comparison videos Dave! For almost all of these I prefer the 4AL sound with the exception that maybe the 3AL sounded a bit richer on Danny Boy. The 6-1/2AL sounded too tinny or bright to my ear. Good resource videos.

[davewerden]

I'm glad this has been useful. This first round was mp's I considered to be common. For fun, I may do comparisons with my Wick Heritage. Even the 4AL versions of standard/Heritage are a bit different, and the 4ABL adds a new twist.

[davewerden]

Useful set of comparisons, and well chosen passages of just the right length (so I remember Option 1 while hearing Option 2).
Thanks very much.

I especially appreciate this comment, because that was my very thought as I made these (and it's a heck of a lot more work to split/pair them like this!). I know my own audio memory is not very long.

[John Morgan]

This is quite useful. Thanks for doing this Dave. I have the 4AL along with the K&G 3.5 and the Demondrae Warburton that I may do the same thing on. The 3AL I believe is the biggest you compared. 2 of the 3 I have are bigger than the 4AL so that might be useful. Your recording technique, editing and results are admittedly way better than mine. I still haven't quite found the right mixture to record myself well, but I'm working on it. If I can get it respectable, I will post.

[guidocorona]

I found David's 5 comparisons quite enlightening, and the use of 4AL as the baseline is particularly welcome. I hope that you John will be soon posting your own comparos using the same 4AL baseline... I am particularly interested in a contrast between 4AL and the Warburton Demondrae.

Regards, Guido