Wedge Mouthpieces Variable Length Backbore

Описание: Backbore length has a significant influence on how a mouthpiece slots. Mostly noticeably it changes the pitch of the fifth partial, affecting the tuning of the 4th space E and the cluster of notes associated with it, especially the Eb and D. All of these notes tend to be flat on Bb trumpets and worse on C or higher pitched trumpets. This is why many manufactures now offer shorter backbores, especially popular for C trumpet, but they are also used on Bb horns.

The relative pitch between notes is also influenced by cup depth. As a result, some manufacturers vary the length of the backbore to balance the cup depth, with deeper cups having short backbore lengths.

One of the problems with raising the pitch of the 5th partial with a shorter backbore is that the change in slotting can bleed into the 6th partial, driving the top of staff G sharp if the backbore is too short or not balanced with the cup. This can be a big problem. We can control a flat E by lipping it up to some extent, or by using alternate fingerings, but a sharp G is very hard to adjust unless you have a built in pitch finder on your main slide.

But what if you could vary length of your backbore to select the optimal pitch of the 5th partial without making the G go too sharp? Well, now you can.

The new Wedge adjustable backbore lets you literally dial in the backbore length from slightly longer than a normal Bb backbore to shorter than most C length backbores with an infinite number of available lengths.

The backbore consists of a central core which determines the backbore size ranging from small to medium large.

The shank of the backbores threads up the central core and can be locked in place with a knurled collar at reproducible reference points provided by breaks in the thread pattern.

You simply adjust the backbore length while testing the overall pitch and slotting, paying special attention to problematic notes for your particular horn and cup depth (usually the 4th space E and top of staff G) until you find the best balance.

The adjustment mechanism is covered with a regular weight or heavy weight sleeve that threads over it from above before attaching the mouthpiece top.

Backbores with the regular weight sleeve will work with tops from most other manufacturers (Warburton, ACB, Pickett Brass).

These backbores require a lot of machining for the 4 or 5 threaded components and are time consuming to make.

We are now offering a limited time 10% discount for those who want to be among the first to try these new backbores.

We will offer the VLB as a complete set and as individual components.

About Gap Adjusting Shanks

Mouthpiece gap is the distance between the tip of the shank in the trumpet receiver and the point where the leadpipe starts. This distance has an effect of the resistance, response, flexibility, spread between octaves, and pitch of specific notes.

The optimal gap depends on the player, cup depth, throat size, backbore length, and characteristics of the horn. There are differences of opinion on the effect of increasing or decreasing the gap, probably because the effect depends on so many variables, and on player preferences.

The optimal gap can vary from zero gap to 1/4 of an inch or more. An "average" gap is close to 1/8 inch. Some players and horns seem to be quite gap sensitive and some are less so. The effect of gap on your playing is best determined by trial and error.

Gap adjustment is one way to fine tune your mouthpiece performance, in addition to backbore size and length.

Wedge VLB Gap Adjusting Shanks allow you to go one step farther by changing the gap of your mouthpiece / horn combination. Keep in mind that each horn may require a different shank to achieve the same gap as another horn, and that the optimal can vary from horn to horn.

Shank Sizes: The standard VLB shank has the same OD as our standard mouthpieces and backbores, which is 0.385 inches. This is the same OD as most other manufacturers, recognizing that there is often a variation of +/- 0.001 inches when one measures actual specimens from any maker.

Sizes range for 1 to 7 and have an outer diameter at the tip from .371 to .391 inches in .003 thousand of an inch increments. Each change is size corresponds to about .06 inches more or less gap.

Our standard .385 shank corresponds to a #5 and is similar to a #5- 5.5 Reeves sleeve.

A 4 part set includes a #3, #4, #6 and #7 shank, designed to increase and decrease the gap by .12 inches (2 X .06 inches per shank) in each direction, for a total adjustment range of .24 inches, or almost 1/4 inch.

Shanks can also be purchased in a 2 part set or individually.

The combination of an adjustable backbore length and mouthpiece gap provides the ultimate ability to fine tune the performance of your backbore with a specific horn and cup combination.