Greg Black 1 3/8g
- Savio
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Greg Black 1 3/8g
I sold most of my mouthpieces but found a GB 1 3/8g in the box. It's a little bigger than 1 1/2g. Picked it up 4 days ago and used it in a bigband yesterday. I liked it! I'm used to the Bach Mt Vernon 1 1/2g so felt a little bit shaky but still OK. Felt easier to do attacks but legato felt more difficult. I like the sound but it might be a little bit dark. Not so much high overtones. I don't feel completely in control but still think this special size fits me. Played a bordogni with it;
https://1drv.ms/u/c/1867b25e21376171/EX ... Q?e=5LvDzu
Leif
https://1drv.ms/u/c/1867b25e21376171/EX ... Q?e=5LvDzu
Leif
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Re: Greg Black 1 3/8g
Leif , how are You ?Savio wrote: βFri Jan 31, 2025 10:46 am I sold most of my mouthpieces but found a GB 1 3/8g in the box. It's a little bigger than 1 1/2g. Picked it up 4 days ago and used it in a bigband yesterday. I liked it! I'm used to the Bach Mt Vernon 1 1/2g so felt a little bit shaky but still OK. Felt easier to do attacks but legato felt more difficult. I like the sound but it might be a little bit dark. Not so much high overtones. I don't feel completely in control but still think this special size fits me. Played a bordogni with it;
https://1drv.ms/u/c/1867b25e21376171/EX ... Q?e=5LvDzu
Leif
Trond(uheldige Hansen)
- Savio
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Re: Greg Black 1 3/8g
I'm good Trond thanks! Hope all is good with you! It's medium weight and I believe in Greg Black's world it's a little bit on the heavy side? Compared to the traditional Bach mouthpieces? To many mouthpieces out there now, but I promised to my wife there will be no more trombones or mouthpieces...Tbarh wrote: βFri Jan 31, 2025 12:32 pmLeif , how are You ?Savio wrote: βFri Jan 31, 2025 10:46 am I sold most of my mouthpieces but found a GB 1 3/8g in the box. It's a little bigger than 1 1/2g. Picked it up 4 days ago and used it in a bigband yesterday. I liked it! I'm used to the Bach Mt Vernon 1 1/2g so felt a little bit shaky but still OK. Felt easier to do attacks but legato felt more difficult. I like the sound but it might be a little bit dark. Not so much high overtones. I don't feel completely in control but still think this special size fits me. Played a bordogni with it;
https://1drv.ms/u/c/1867b25e21376171/EX ... Q?e=5LvDzu
Leif
The 1 3/8G comes in different blank weights.. The attack vs legato situation can change according to the weight.. Good piece...Too big for me !
Trond(uheldige Hansen)

Leif
- dukesboneman
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Re: Greg Black 1 3/8g
I was struggling To find a good bass Trombone Mouthpiece that let me do what I needed to do.
Greg Black had me try (without knowing what it was) his 1 3/8GM. BOOM !!!!!!
I love it!!
Greg Black had me try (without knowing what it was) his 1 3/8GM. BOOM !!!!!!
I love it!!
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Re: Greg Black 1 3/8g
You guys are making me want to buy a 1 3/8 nowβ¦ I wonder what the βNβ bore in the specs compares to.
1 3/8G
Cup Diameter: 27.90mm, 1.098" Bore: 'N', .302"
Cup Depth: Deep Rim Width: Medium
1 3/8G
Cup Diameter: 27.90mm, 1.098" Bore: 'N', .302"
Cup Depth: Deep Rim Width: Medium
Rath R1, Rath R3, Rath R4, Rath R9, Minick Bass Trombone
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Re: Greg Black 1 3/8g
I think the sound it is very nice and not so dark, as you said. I think the difficulty you feel with the legato it is not relate to the mouthpiece.
- Savio
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Re: Greg Black 1 3/8g
https://1drv.ms/u/c/1867b25e21376171/EV ... w?e=LA5Fvf
It feels more comfortable after 2 weeks but I'm not sure. More comfortable but at the same time I feel I'm loosing some control I had on my 1 1/2g. Sound is in fact more focused today. Have to say I like it more and more.
Leif
It feels more comfortable after 2 weeks but I'm not sure. More comfortable but at the same time I feel I'm loosing some control I had on my 1 1/2g. Sound is in fact more focused today. Have to say I like it more and more.

Leif
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Re: Greg Black 1 3/8g
I think you sound good regardless of equipment.
If blast can abandon his MV 1 1/2g for a Minick 1 1/4, then you can certainly play on this 1 3/8!
If blast can abandon his MV 1 1/2g for a Minick 1 1/4, then you can certainly play on this 1 3/8!

Kenneth Biggs
I have known a great many troubles, but most of them have never happened.
βMark Twain (attributed)
I have known a great many troubles, but most of them have never happened.
βMark Twain (attributed)
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Re: Greg Black 1 3/8g
You might like the regular weight more than the medium weight. A little bit lighter, easier for me to play.Savio wrote: βFri Jan 31, 2025 2:48 pmI'm good Trond thanks! Hope all is good with you! It's medium weight and I believe in Greg Black's world it's a little bit on the heavy side? Compared to the traditional Bach mouthpieces? To many mouthpieces out there now, but I promised to my wife there will be no more trombones or mouthpieces...![]()
Leif
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Re: Greg Black 1 3/8g
Ha ha !! I tried really hard over the holidays to get back on a 1 1/2G size mouthpiece. I failed ! The Minick is back in. I am now too used to it, and too old to change. I did buy another Minick L last summer...a thin rim version. An interesting mouthpiece.
- Savio
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Re: Greg Black 1 3/8g
Hi Chris! Where do you get all this rare mouthpieces from? Secret connections we others don't know about?

Anyway the 1 3/8 feels good but so does the Mt Vernon. So I'm still not sure. I have to admit the Mt Vernon is kind of in my heart. It's more expressive but that's maybe just an imagination? No matter equipment we can't escape from our self?
Leif
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Re: Greg Black 1 3/8g
Hi Leif, I get many of my mouthpieces here !! Facebook and eBay too. I'm more interested in easy these days. Easy is often what you are used to.Savio wrote: βFri Feb 14, 2025 10:35 amHi Chris! Where do you get all this rare mouthpieces from? Secret connections we others don't know about?![]()
Anyway the 1 3/8 feels good but so does the Mt Vernon. So I'm still not sure. I have to admit the Mt Vernon is kind of in my heart. It's more expressive but that's maybe just an imagination? No matter equipment we can't escape from our self?
Leif
- Finetales
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Re: Greg Black 1 3/8g
I wish the larger throats of the GB 1-1/4G were standard options on the 1-5/16G and 1-3/8G. I think a 1-5/16G or 1-3/8G with the 1-1/4G's .316" throat would be the Goldilocks GB piece for me. I tried a 1-1/4G .312 and felt that it was a bit too big and the throat was too tight.
I'm sure they'd make that if I asked, but it would be nice if I could buy it off the rack from a retailer so I could return it if it didn't work out.
I'm sure they'd make that if I asked, but it would be nice if I could buy it off the rack from a retailer so I could return it if it didn't work out.
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Re: Greg Black 1 3/8g
I saw a 1 5/16 with .316 at TMEA.
- Savio
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Re: Greg Black 1 3/8g
How will it blow with a larger throat? Why a larger throat? The 1 5/16 is closer to a 1 1/2g? and I feel the 1 3/8 is nearly like a Bach 1 1/4g. I'm glad all the mouthpice makers have some options around 1 1/2 and 1 1/4 today. The tenor players have had that close options between sizes for a long time!Finetales wrote: βSat Feb 15, 2025 12:01 pm I wish the larger throats of the GB 1-1/4G were standard options on the 1-5/16G and 1-3/8G. I think a 1-5/16G or 1-3/8G with the 1-1/4G's .316" throat would be the Goldilocks GB piece for me. I tried a 1-1/4G .312 and felt that it was a bit too big and the throat was too tight.
I'm sure they'd make that if I asked, but it would be nice if I could buy it off the rack from a retailer so I could return it if it didn't work out.
Leif
- Finetales
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Re: Greg Black 1 3/8g
I'm not sure if it's me or my bass trombone (or both), but I've found that very open throats work really well for me. The .312 throat I tried felt too tight in the low register - in fact, I switched off the mouthpiece I used to play (Warburton) because as years went on eventually found it just too much work to play down low.Savio wrote: βMon Feb 17, 2025 3:43 pmHow will it blow with a larger throat? Why a larger throat? The 1 5/16 is closer to a 1 1/2g? and I feel the 1 3/8 is nearly like a Bach 1 1/4g.
The Bach 1-1/4GM I play now is much easier in every register, including way above the staff, and I have better endurance as well. I would assume a .316 throat on a GB would have the same effect.
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Re: Greg Black 1 3/8g
If you get a chance to try the 1 7/16G, thatβs a really well balanced piece too, it has the same comfy rim contour as the 1 3/8 and 1 5/16, and a .295 throat. It plays nice and open for me with just the right amount of resistance and a lovely colourful sound with plenty of punch when needed. This is a slight step smaller towards a 1 1/2G size.