Originally Posted by
leisesturm
[snip] I guess my question is what would I gain (lose?) by buying a big name mouthpiece in a similar size? And a more nuanced question: what would be the main difference between two similar '4' sized mp's like the DW 4AL vs the SM4? [snip]
Focusing on this part of your question: even less-expensive mouthpieces can be made to a high degree of tolerances thanks to advancements in the machinery. There may be differences in the brass alloy, differences in the quality and thickness of the silver plating, and finally, subtle differences in the shape of the rim and the cup. For example, the DW 4AL and the SM4, SM4U, and SM4UX are all 26 mm rims manufactured by the Wick company. The quality of the brass and the plating should be equivalent. Nevertheless, they have differences in rim width, rim shape, cup depth, cup shape, etc., that may be hard to discern by eye but that will make a difference in playability and tone.
I have the no-name Bach 6.5AL clone that came with my Mack Brass euphonium and also have a large-shank Bach 6.5AL that I acquired from a band mate. They play like two different mouthpieces.
Dean L. Surkin
Mack Brass MACK-EU1150S, BB1 mouthpiece
Bach 36B trombone; Bach 6.5AL and Faxx 7C mouthpieces (pBone on loan to granddaughter)
Steinway 1902 Model A, restored by AC Pianocraft in 1988; Kawai MP8, Yamaha KX-76
See my avatar: Jazz (the black cockapoo; RIP) and Delilah (the cavapoo) keep me company while practicing