1966 Besson euphonium and Wick 4AL mouthpiece

[kranbridge]

daruby, based on your and others comments regarding shank size, for this Besson the Bach 6 1/2AL small shank would be correct? Thank you.

[enhite]

I believe that daruby indicated that a your instrument requires a medium (Euro) shank mouthpiece. That is what my Besson New Standard requires. I played it with a small shank Bach 6 1/2 for a few years with a Besson adaptor. Although I play a large shank Wick 4AL on my Adams, I never thought that size mouthpiece, even in a medium shank, sounded good with the smaller Besson. What I use today, when I play the New Standard, is a medium shank Schilke 51D. I think this combination goes well together in producing the traditional British euphonium sound. That said, I have a good used gold plated Wick 4AM (the medium shank version of the 4AL) that I will sell if you are determined to use that size mouthpiece. (PM me if you are interested. I'll donate the appropiate amount to this website if I sell it.)

[kranbridge]

I believe that daruby indicated that a your instrument requires a medium (Euro) shank mouthpiece. That is what my Besson New Standard requires. I played it with a small shank Bach 6 1/2 for a few years with a Besson adaptor. Although I play a large shank Wick 4AL on my Adams, I never thought that size mouthpiece, even in a medium shank, sounded good with the smaller Besson. What I use today, when I play the New Standard, is a medium shank Schilke 51D. I think this combination goes well together in producing the traditional British euphonium sound. That said, I have a good used gold plated Wick 4AM (the medium shank version of the 4AL) that I will sell if you are determined to use that size mouthpiece. (PM me if you are interested. I'll donate the appropiate amount to this website if I sell it.)

Thank you for your response. Based on other responses, I have already purchased a Wick 4AM, but your comments give me pause! Thanks.

[enhite]

"Thank you for your response. Based on other responses, I have already purchased a Wick 4AM, but your comments give me pause! Thanks."
As you look through reviews and posts about mouthpieces, you'll find that there are almost as many different opinions as people. I believe that's because none of us are made the same, so what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another. Good luck with you new Wick mouthpiece!

[daruby]

daruby, based on your and others comments regarding shank size, for this Besson the Bach 6 1/2AL small shank would be correct? Thank you.

Medium shank is the correct size. I indicated in my response that I had to use an adapter (supplied originally with the horn) to use the 6 1/2AL and other small shank mouthpieces. Therefore, the 4AM instead of 4AL or 4AY) would be the correct mouthpiece.

[kranbridge]

Medium shank is the correct size. I indicated in my response that I had to use an adapter (supplied originally with the horn) to use the 6 1/2AL and other small shank mouthpieces. Therefore, the 4AM instead of 4AL or 4AY) would be the correct mouthpiece.

Thank you for your response, and indeed, from your post(s) I understand that for this horn, a Wick 4AM would be appropriate. However, I was further musing (though not really considering a near future purchase) that if I were interested in a Bach 6 1/2AL, again for this horn, I would need to consider a small shank. Correct?

From the Bach catalog, there also appears to be an Artisan series, but I haven't quite figured out what those entail.

Thanks again.

[davewerden]

Thank you for your response, and indeed, from your post(s) I understand that for this horn, a Wick 4AM would be appropriate. However, I was further musing (though not really considering a near future purchase) that if I were interested in a Bach 6 1/2AL, again for this horn, I would need to consider a small shank. Correct?

Even though Bach lists a medium shank, it can be hard to obtain sometimes. Plus many other mouthpieces don't come in medium shank.

You might invest in something like this - an adaptor that will let a small shank mouthpiece be used in a medium shank euphonium:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/125136378955

[daruby]

Thank you for your response, and indeed, from your post(s) I understand that for this horn, a Wick 4AM would be appropriate. However, I was further musing (though not really considering a near future purchase) that if I were interested in a Bach 6 1/2AL, again for this horn, I would need to consider a small shank. Correct?

Bach does not make medium shank mouthpieces. You would indeed have to use a small shan k with a small to medium (euro) shank adapter.

[davewerden]

Bach does not make medium shank mouthpieces. You would indeed have to use a small shan k with a small to medium (euro) shank adapter.

Apparently they have dropped the medium shank recently. When I first built my mouthpiece comparison pages they offered a few.

It's interesting to watch the shank size evolution. Previously it was the old Bessons and the standard Willson 2900 that used a medium shank. But now Shires is building horns with a medium shank (and also large shank) and Willson has started using large shank on more of the horns.

[kranbridge]

Thanks to davewerden and daruby, as well as all others, for their quite helpful responses and information!