What is this mouthpiece for?

[Carldood123]

Hi, a friend pointed me here and said y'all would help with my confusion. I have a Bach 12C Small Shank Mouthpiece and I don't quite know what to do with it. I've been told they're not used very often but I wouldn't know why, any information on that would be greatly appreciated. In addition any help in figuring out how to sell this thing and for how much would also be greatly appreciated.

[BGuttman]

The Bach 12C is every bit as professional as any other Bach mouthpiece.

It came standard with Bach small bore trombones until some time in the 1960s, when they switched to the 7C.

My first trombone mouthpiece in 5th Grade was a Bach 12C.

There are some noted jazz players who use the 12C, or its kissing cousin he 11C.

Most people find this too small, but if it works for you that's great.

[chouston3]

I use a 12C sized mouthpiece as my daily driver. I can get a full sound all over the horn using one. Mouthpieces are kind of like shoes. If you get the right size, things work better. Right now, 11c and 12c sized mouthpieces give me the results I want. I only play small bore trombones. If I was playing a large bore trombone, I would look for something bigger.

I like to have my mouthpieces fit both me and my horn.

If you are curious about what size is best for you, Doug Elliot is a world class expert on this topic.

[hyperbolica]

Your 12c, if you're not using it, will make a great paper weight. You can't really sell it for much because there are a lot of them out there and most people don't want them. They are very small. I had a friend who was using one in a group I was in, and I bought them a Bach 9, and now they use that. By modern standards, the 12c gives a really thin sound, and people generally want a bigger mouthpiece. Sometimes beginners use a 12c until they get some strength in their chops.

The mouthpiece typically depends partially on you and partially on your instrument.

[Kbiggs]

I think the 12C gets a bad reputation because it—or an equivalent size/shape—is included in most beginner horns. It’s no worse (and no better) than any other mouthpiece. If it fits, use it. If it doesn’t, find something else. They’re considered small these days, but it was a common size up to 40 years ago (or so).

Somewhat related: I use a 12E mouthpiece for my Chinese bass trumpet. The rim is much too small for me, but the cup depth—the “E”—works very well.

[tbdana]

When I was a kid I learned on the 12C. Even today, on my small bore horn I use a custom bored out 11C.

The 12C is a find mouthpiece, but it fell out of style as the preference for deeper, broader tones took over. That mouthpiece is very bright. And in my early experience, it also made playing in the pedal register difficult. But boy could it soar on high notes, though they tended to sound rather shrill at volume.

I don't think you'll have an easy time selling it.

[BrassSection]

I’ve used a Bach 12SC since 5th grade. Was my dad’s baritone mouthpiece in the Army band in the late 40s and early 50s. I played baritone throughout and beyond high school. Served in baritone and my tenor trombone both until I got my euphonium. Doesn’t work well in euph, but to this day I wouldn’t play anything else in my trombone. (I’ve tried a few times just to see…) Easy full range from pedals to higher than I’ve ever had music for. Yes, there’s a sentimental attachment to it, but also a functional attachment as well.