Difference between a Bach 6.5AL, 6.5A, and 6.5AM

ttf_ottisthetrombonist · Wed Aug 22, 2012 4:38 am

Just out of curiosity, what is the difference? I reall know nothing about mps, so if y'all could be so kind to enlighten me!
Really I'm just wondering. What do all these letters mean?
I mean, I just realized what the numbers and letters mean on horns.

ttf_Eastcheap · Post by **ttf_Eastcheap** » Wed Aug 22, 2012 5:57 am

Bach Mouthpiece Manual.

In general, Bach designations give you a clue about rim diameter and depth, but nothing else. It's not systematic like Elliot codes.

ttf_daveyboy37 · Post by **ttf_daveyboy37** » Wed Aug 22, 2012 6:30 am

Based on the manual, it looks like the main differences on the small shank versions are the throat and backbore. The 6 1/2A has the standard small shank throat and backbore, the 6 1/2 AM has the "F" (.257") throat and #413 backbore, and the 6 1/2 AL has the "G" (.261") throat and #420 backbore.

This is somewhat different for the large shank mouthpieces though. In that series.the 6 1/2AM and 6 1/2AL have the same specs, but the 6 1/2A has the full "bass trombone" throat and backbore, .276" throat with #429 backbore.

The rim and cup are all identical I believe.

ttf_Trav1s · Post by **ttf_Trav1s** » Wed Aug 22, 2012 8:05 am

I can share my experience with the the AL and AM...

In the early 90's (during college) my prof pushed me from a Schilke 51B to the 6.5AL. It just never worked. Even after extensive playing and time to adapt it lacked focus and clarity for me. I tried the 6.5 AM and it worked well for me from the first note.

My best suggestion for you --> Try all of them back to back and decide from there. Have someone you trust and knows trombone to help with a blindfold test. Play what works.

ttf_vegasbound · Post by **ttf_vegasbound** » Wed Aug 22, 2012 9:18 am

Your switching to a 5G so don't worry about it!!!

ttf_daveyboy37 · Post by **ttf_daveyboy37** » Wed Aug 22, 2012 9:22 am

I didn't switch to a 5G until College. I was all-state two years in HS, so I don't think the 6 1/2AL held me back. I did audition with a king 3b though.

ttf_vegasbound · Post by **ttf_vegasbound** » Wed Aug 22, 2012 9:25 am

Daveboy.....not dissing the 61/2 but in another port otis has said she is switching to the 5G size!

ttf_ottisthetrombonist · Wed Aug 22, 2012 10:06 am

Yes. The 5G is more comfortable for me. My friend walked into rehearsal one day, said try ou my new mp, put it in my horn, and told me to play. I warmed up. I loved it. He told me it was a 5G and said I could use it for a week because he wasn't eating his large bore until then and was playing a small bore. I loved the mp though. It was basically a blind test.
To be quite honest, I don't know anything about mps. I just saw a 6.5A online and thought it was a typo. I'm just generally curious about the whole thing.
But thanks for your thoughts everyone! I feel more knowlagable about the whole thing!

ttf_robinsjanis · Post by **ttf_robinsjanis** » Sat Jun 14, 2014 1:28 am

hi!

Has anyone played a 6 1/2A?
I understand, that it has bigger throat, does that mean that it will have better low range than 6 1/2 AL?
I'm interested in it because there are few at Dillons store, so I can buy it and get it to Latvia!

ttf_heinz gries · Post by **ttf_heinz gries** » Sat Jun 14, 2014 2:55 am

Quote from: robinsjanis on Jun 14, 2014, 01:28AMhi!

Has anyone played a 6 1/2A?
I understand, that it has bigger throat, does that mean that it will have better low range than 6 1/2 AL?
I'm interested in it because there are few at Dillons store, so I can buy it and get it to Latvia!

the 6 1/2A have the standart Bach throat for small shank pieces 5,8 mm
the 6 1/2AM have a 6,53mm throat and the 6 1/2AL a 6,63mm throat

ttf_robinsjanis · Post by **ttf_robinsjanis** » Sat Jun 14, 2014 5:01 am

Quote from: heinz gries on Jun 14, 2014, 02:55AMthe 6 1/2A have the standart Bach throat for small shank pieces 5,8 mm
the 6 1/2AM have a 6,53mm throat and the 6 1/2AL a 6,63mm throat

forgot to say that I'm interested in large shank version!

ttf_harrison.t.reed · Post by **ttf_harrison.t.reed** » Sat Jun 14, 2014 5:39 am

QuoteMy friend walked into rehearsal one day, said try ou my new mp, put it in my horn, and told me to play. I loved it.

Ewww germs!

ttf_heinz gries · Post by **ttf_heinz gries** » Sat Jun 14, 2014 6:38 am

Quote from: robinsjanis on Jun 14, 2014, 05:01AMforgot to say that I'm interested in large shank version!

Then you are right.Same rim and cup as No. 61⁄2A small shank tenor trombone,
but with full bass trombone throat (7mm) and backbore for a rich,
compact sound of large volume.

ttf_dbdicker · Post by **ttf_dbdicker** » Sat Jun 14, 2014 11:04 am

Quote from: vegasbound on Aug 22, 2012, 09:18AMYour switching to a 5G so don't worry about it!!!

Heh +1

ttf_chipolah · Post by **ttf_chipolah** » Sat Jun 14, 2014 12:02 pm

Quote from: robinsjanis on Jun 14, 2014, 01:28AMhi!

Has anyone played a 6 1/2A?
I understand, that it has bigger throat, does that mean that it will have better low range than 6 1/2 AL?
I'm interested in it because there are few at Dillons store, so I can buy it and get it to Latvia!
I use a 6 1/2A small shank and I really like it. I find it is quite good in all registers. I have a large shank version and I don't feel that comfortable with it. It seems to backup on me. I have some friends who have tried it and they think it's great. I'm using a 4G on my large shank Trbns. That fits me better.

ttf_Larry Preston Roberson · Fri May 12, 2017 7:59 am

Quote from: Trav1s on Aug 22, 2012, 08:05AMI can share my experience with the the AL...
Even after extensive playing and time to adapt it lacked focus and clarity for me...
Ditto

ttf_Bone Appetit · Post by **ttf_Bone Appetit** » Sat May 13, 2017 6:52 am

Bill Watrous uses the AM for his 36

ttf_Trombocholik · Post by **ttf_Trombocholik** » Sat May 13, 2017 12:34 pm

Quote from: Bone Appetit on May 13, 2017, 06:52AMBill Watrous uses the AM for his 36

I thought Watrous plays Bach 16M and Mt. Vernon 11C.

ttf_Matt K · Post by **ttf_Matt K** » Sat May 13, 2017 12:37 pm

Quote from: Trombocholik on May 13, 2017, 12:34PMI thought Watrous plays Bach 16M and Mt. Vernon 11C.

I would be surprised if he didn't own more than one trombone.

ttf_Trombocholik · Post by **ttf_Trombocholik** » Sat May 13, 2017 1:44 pm

Quote from: Matt K on May 13, 2017, 12:37PMI would be surprised if he didn't own more than one trombone.

It's his style and his sound concept. I can't imagine it on a Bach 36.(IMHO)

ttf_Bone Appetit · Post by **ttf_Bone Appetit** » Wed May 31, 2017 9:29 am

Here's what Watrous said in an interview with the Sept '94 issue of the Instrumentalist magazine:

"A lot of players use 6-1/2AL's; locally that seems to be a standard mouthpiece, especially with younger players...I find it difficult to center on them because of the shape of my face and what I'm used to. A 6-1/2AM works better with my 36."

He does indeed use the MV11C on his LT16M, altered in this way: "it opens up to a New York back bore similar to Bill Ratzenberger's Jet-tone mouthpieces. It opens up the throat so the sound sails instead of being constricted."

ttf_Bone Appetit · Post by **ttf_Bone Appetit** » Wed May 31, 2017 9:29 am

Here's what Watrous said in an interview with the Sept '94 issue of the Instrumentalist magazine:

"A lot of players use 6-1/2AL's; locally that seems to be a standard mouthpiece, especially with younger players...I find it difficult to center on them because of the shape of my face and what I'm used to. A 6-1/2AM works better with my 36."

He does indeed use the MV11C on his LT16M, altered in this way: "it opens up to a New York back bore similar to Bill Ratzenberger's Jet-tone mouthpieces. It opens up the throat so the sound sails instead of being constricted."