TromboneChat

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.

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.

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.

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.   

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

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.

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

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!

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!

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

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!

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!

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.

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

Heh +1 

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.

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

Bill Watrous uses the AM for his 36

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.

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.

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)

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."

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."