Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: Schilke 51D vs 52D vs 52E2

  1. #1

    Schilke 51D vs 52D vs 52E2

    Hello everyone,

    I am currently running on a Bach 4G mouthpiece (standard model) in gold plate, which I have really liked ever since moving to it last year. However, I am interested in looking to the Schilke line which I haven't had much of an opportunity to do. I am after something that is very close in specs to a Bach 4G (26.00mm rim, deep cup, with a .276" throat), but with still a very comfortable rim and something that would give me a slightly darker and richer sound with more core. I see the 51D, 52D, and 52E2 come up a lot in conversation. Which one of these would probably be the closest fit to a Bach 4G and? I generally don't want to scale to a smaller (Bach 5G-like) size.

    I am also currently looking into new instruments (Besson Prestige in standard silver plate, Yamaha 842 Custom, and Yamaha 642 Neo are at the top of my list), so I want to make sure that if I do switch to Schilke, that one of those mouthpieces will fit well with the instrument. I am currently using a Hirsbrunner which I find the Bach isn't mixing well with.

  2. #2
    The 52E2 would feel large to you, probably, because of the thinner, rounded rim. But the 52D might be good based on specs (I have not tried this personally).

    FWIW, I have yet to find a Schilke that I really like on euphonium. That is based on my liking of the sound-type of the Alliance I now use and the Wick 4AL I used previously. I know they used to have shanks that I thought were more for trombone than euphonium (they were long), but that may have changed by now.
    Dave Werden (ASCAP)
    Euphonium Soloist, U.S. Coast Guard Band, retired
    Adams Artist (Adams E3)
    Alliance Mouthpiece (DC3)
    YouTube: dwerden
    Facebook: davewerden
    Twitter: davewerden
    Instagram: davewerdeneuphonium

  3. Of the 3 sizes you listed, the 52D is probably closest to what you're looking for. The rim is still a bit smaller than a Bach 4G (25.78 based on this website's mouthpiece chart), but is larger than the 51D (which clocks in at 25.55).

    Another Schilke that might be worth trying is the D5.2? According to what I can find online, that one has a 26.00 sized rim, like a 4G/Wick 4AL. I've never tried it on euphonium however.

    As the 51D, 52D and 52E2 are fairly common sizes, you should be able to find them at a local music shop. Testing them out in-person if possible will help you determine for sure which one (if any) of them work well for you and your instrument.

    Regarding the shank length, older Schilke mouthpieces had a longer shank like Dave mentions. Modern ones, like if you were to buy one new, have a shorter shank more in line with other mouthpiece brands.
    Willson 2900 TA-1 Euphonium - Denis Wick 4AM
    Yamaha YSL-643 Trombone - Bob Reeves BrassArk 5G "Gladstone"
    Yamaha YSL-8440 Trombone - Denis Wick 5BS
    VMI 3301S BBb Tuba - Schilke Helleberg

    Past:
    York Preference 3067 Euphonium - Denis Wick 4AL
    Benge 165F Trombone - Benge Marcellus
    Wessex BR140 Baritone - Denis Wick 6BS
    F.E. Olds Special Trombone (ca. 1941)

  4. #4
    Have you tried Matt Van Emmerik's mouthpiece? It's a "4G" size with 3 models of varying depths: https://matthewvanemmerik.wordpress....ries-for-sale/

    Robert Pendergast, DM

  5. #5
    Keep in mind that the 52D has less depth than the 51D. The 52E2 is slightly deeper than the 51D, but the rim is thinner and more rounded; and for me much less comfortable than the 51D. You may want to check out Doug Elliott's stuff. Bente Illevold said she used a Bach 4 but switch to a Doug Elliot set up with a 102 rim and an H depth euph cup. Another option is the Parker Lance LaDuke model.

    Mike

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    Varese,Italy
    Posts
    385
    I have been playing for some time , in the past few years with 51 D, which suited the Courtois 165 well. Then, with the Besson I had experiences with the various DW SM and Alliance models, but none of them fully satisfied me. I found the ideal mouthpiece (for me) in the K&G brand, which I use regularly on my instruments. In my opinion they are the best mouthpieces, from all points of view, I have ever tried. I would give the K&G 4D+ a try, which has the internal diameter of the cup at 26 mm internal diameter of the cup, comparable to the Schilke 52.
    2007 Besson Prestige 2052, 3D+ K&G mouthpiece; JP373 baritone, 4B modified K&G mouthpiece; Bach 42GO trombone, T4C K&G mouthpiece; 1973 Besson New Standard 3 compensated valves, 3D+ K&G modified mouthpiece; Wessex French C tuba, 3D+ K&G modified mouthpiece.

  7. #7
    Quote Originally Posted by mbrooke View Post
    Keep in mind that the 52D has less depth than the 51D. The 52E2 is slightly deeper than the 51D, but the rim is thinner and more rounded; and for me much less comfortable than the 51D. You may want to check out Doug Elliott's stuff. Bente Illevold said she used a Bach 4 but switch to a Doug Elliot set up with a 102 rim and an H depth euph cup. Another option is the Parker Lance LaDuke model.

    Mike
    +1 on this. In my personal opinion the 51D feels larger on the chops than the 52D because of the cup depth. I would say you should definitely at least give the 51D a try. It's a powerhouse all-rounder and I'm sure you could find someone even on this forum to sell you one for fairly cheap.

    EDIT - I'd also like to take the opportunity to shout out my personal mouthpiece, which is a Giddings DHWA-S and is the best mouthpiece I've ever played on by a wide margin. I've been playing on it since around 2014 and have never tried another mouthpiece that I've even slightly considered over it. It's fairly similar in size to what you're playing on now as well. All that said, personal preference, etc., etc., yadda yadda.
    Last edited by spkissane; 11-27-2021 at 09:01 AM.
    Sean Kissane
    Low Brass Specialist, Paige's Music
    Principal Euphonium, Indianapolis Brass Choir
    Principal Euphonium, Crossroads Brass Band

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •