Schilke 47 vs. Yamaha 48L

[buzzedmouthpiece]

Hi Everyone,

I've been trying to get a new mouthpiece recently, and I wanted to know the differences between the Schilke 47 and the Yamaha 48L. Like which one do you prefer? Or which one is best for a balanced all-around sound? Thank you!

[tbonesullivan]

What horn are you playing with these? The 48L is kind of a smaller 6 1/2AL, and is not really like a Schilke 47 at all, which IMHO is much more like a 7C or 6 3/4C.

[buzzedmouthpiece]

What horn are you playing with these? The 48L is kind of a smaller 6 1/2AL, and is not really like a Schilke 47 at all, which IMHO is much more like a 7C or 6 3/4C.

I'm playing a tenor Jupiter CEB740. I am slightly new to trombone so please forgive me for the mistake.

[tbonesullivan]

I'm playing a tenor Jupiter CEB740. I am slightly new to trombone so please forgive me for the mistake.

No need to apologize. Looking at the Jupiter CEB740, that looks to be a large bore tenor with an F-attachment, so the 48L would definitely be a better choice, as the trombone takes a large shank mouthpiece. The Schilke 47 is usually a small shank mouthpiece, and wouldn't fit the mouthpiece receiver right. It's also IMHO just not the right mouthpiece for a large bore.

[Kevbach33]

A more apt comparison to the Yamaha 48L would be the Schilke 50, their take on the Bach 6½AL formula. According to Doug's chart, the 50 will be deeper and an even better match than the 48.

There's also the 50C4, supposedly the same mouthpiece but with a semi flat rim, if you don't like the stock Schilke rim.

[PaulT]

A 48L would be a great mouthpiece for your horn (especially given that you are a "newer player". The Bach 6.5AL and Yamaha 48 are the two most common, and most apt, choices recommended as "first mouthpieces" for players starting out on large bore trombones. And for many, they may be the last and best choice.

Both the 6.5AL and the 48L are readily available and reasonable (the 48L is a bargain $65 or less) and both can be found used for $25 or so (and a used mouthpiece in good shape is every bit as good as a new one).

[tbonesullivan]

A 48L would be a great mouthpiece for your horn (especially given that you are a "newer player". The Bach 6.5AL and Yamaha 48 are the two most common, and most apt, choices recommended as "first mouthpieces" for players starting out on large bore trombones. And for many, they may be the last and best choice.

Both the 6.5AL and the 48L are readily available and reasonable (the 48L is a bargain $65 or less) and both can be found used for $25 or so (and a used mouthpiece in good shape is every bit as good as a new one).

Faxx makes a large shank 6 1/2AL, which is usually around $45.

[PaulT]

Good recommendation. I have a couple Bach 6 1/2 ALs and the Faxx 6 1/2 AL. If there is a sllght difference between them two, it was difference that was of no matter to me or my trombone. The Faxx would be a great choice.

Get a 48L or one of the 6.5 ALs and just stick with it for a year.

(Advice I ignored. If I could have all the money I spent on mouthpieces back, I could buy another horn. Of course, I don't need another horn. Bought too many of them also.)

[Cush]

I have played both pieces over the years.

I now have settled on the Yamaha 48. I chose it because I normally play lower register melody parts and it is available in both large and small shank sizes and the cup is virtually identical and I don’t have to change my embouchure when I switch to playing my smaller bore horns.

I even have a 48A (intended for an alto trombone, with a very shallow cup, but the identical rim as the large and standard small shank 48’s). I use it when I have to play some of the higher register parts in the band I play with. Having the same rim as my usual mouthpiece makes that transition easier.

You can adapt to most any mouthpiece, but I agree with the advice you’ve been given above: sticking with one mouthpiece size is wise. Then practice, practice, practice.

[Rusty]

I recently bought a JDM Yamaha 820GII large bore that came with a 48L mouthpiece. It’s too small for me at the rim (feels 6 1/2 ish as others have mentioned), but the sound was great, really got a lot of colour out of the horn, more than some of the bigger and deeper mouthpieces I’ve got. A nice design if the rim works for you!

[30hzbone]

If you want a slightly deeper mouthpiece, the Yamaha 48DL might be an alternative.

[cubetrom]

I like the 48 - nice response, comfy rim, versatile. I played a facsimile of a 6.5AL for many years and have found the 48 to be just that little bit nicer.