Steven Mead Mouthpieces Experiences?

[StarGemini]

@stargemini, did you already decide on the mouthpiece or pieces? Just being really curious ;-).

I've decided on getting the brass-silver-plated GW5. With shipping, it comes to about $205 USD.
Admittedly though, I am a bit timid on pressing the "buy" button, I'm thinking maybe I should be practicing more than worrying about getting a new mouthpiece haha

[NLeuph]

I've decided on getting the brass-silver-plated GW5. With shipping, it comes to about $205 USD.
Admittedly though, I am a bit timid on pressing the "buy" button, I'm thinking maybe I should be practicing more than worrying about getting a new mouthpiece haha

Haha I feel your pain! If you decide to buy, let us know what your experiences are with the mouthpiece:-).

[EthanL]

I bought an Sm3u many many years ago when I was in high school, a year or two after that series released. There was something up with the shank, didn't quite seal and air leaked. Tried it in multiple horns, same issue. I did enjoy the sound, provided a lot of color compared to my Schilke 51D. However, as the years went on, I found the rim to be too sharp for me. I tried the Sm4U, smaller rim, still too sharp, not sure what I was thinking there. So, then I snagged a SM3.5 and I certainly prefer the rim contour over the classic series compared to the ultra. The sound was much warmer, rim was more comfortable for my preference however, I had an issue with overblowing quite a lot giving me a rash sound on my sovereign, wonky intonation all over the horn. I think I prefer the classic series over the ultra if I had to choose. I tried a friends SM3 and liked it much more than my 3.5, felt more balanced. But luckily tried out some Warburton pieces in Titusville. I'm currently on a Warburton 4GD and seems to fit my playing rather well. Really brought a focused sound with a lot of core, consistent timbre across the range that I couldn't quite hone with all the denis wicks I tried.

[NLeuph]

The souI had an issue with overblowing quite a lot giving me a rash sound on my sovereign, wonky intonation all over the horn.

I do recognize the intonation issue. With the SM4 classic c# and e in the staff (treble cleff) were always a bit uncentered. I did not have this issue with other mouthpieces on the same instrument.

[CousinJack]

In the past I have used a variety of the Wick mouthpieces.

I mostly used an SM4X, which I still play occasionally for a week at a time to keep everything fresh. It's a decent mouthpiece, but for me I found when playing loud and high there would be a load of back pressure on any instrument. Probably a technique thing, but the cup is shallower than the equivalent SM4 or SM4U. If you like your SM5 as others have said I would just get a new one of them, or even just get it replated!

FWIW, I have moved to a K&G 4D+ and not looked back.

[franz]

When, in 2007, I purchased the Besson Prestige it came with an Alliance mouthpiece (I don't remember if 2 or 3), but I didn't like it and I changed it for a classic SM3, with which I was happy. Later, when the ultra series came out I bought the SM3U, but it was a real disappointment, so I switched to the SM3X which, overall, was quite satisfactory. The Ultra series, compared to the classic SM, has a sharper edge and a smaller internal diameter of the cup and has more mass. Since I started using K&G mouthpieces it's a completely different story and I'm not going back. I also have a very good feeling with the recently acquired Warburton Demondrae: it produces a nice sound with little effort but with the K&G I have much more resistance.

[StarGemini]

I have actually been looking into some K&G mouthpieces after reading that Robbert Vos uses one. Hadn't heard much about them beforehand. The size 5's specs are quite similar between the K&G and the M&B, but to get one to Australia, it is $42 USD cheaper for the K&G... More to ponder on I guess.