Probably unanswerable...but let's discuss Wedge

[Dsalad]

I am a returning player. I made it through 2 years in college, then stopped. Stayed away for 35 years and picked it back up again. I am using a circa 1980 King 3B with F-attachment (I bought it in HS). I play in a wind ensemble, and a temporary orchestra. My friend is starting a swing band which I will also play in. I was wooed by the Wedge mouthpieces a couple years ago, and bought one. I bought a 98AL...not knowing it was a smaller diameter rim. I have been using it for the past 3-4 years and getting better.

I plan to buy something bigger, a Conn 88H or maybe even risk it on a y-fort. BUT...that has led me down the mouthpiece rabbit hole. I will need to get a large shank mouthpiece.

I played around last night and grabbed my old 6 1/2 AL and did some etude work and it sounded and felt HORRIBLE. I mean, attacks, articulation, range..all bad.

Have I ruined my embouchure...should I resign myself to wedge mouthpieces forever, or is it a matter of more practice to get my 6 1/2 AL sounding right? Will a larger diameter wedge sound and feel just as bad?

I know this is a difficult question, but I wanted to throw it out there and see if anyone else had experience with Wedge mouthpieces and going back and forth?

Thanks!

[musicofnote]

I've been playing Wedges since around 2014. I don't play tenor any more, but my go-to tenor is a Wedge 4G, which isn't made any more.

On bass I mostly use a custom hybrid 109 with large bore (.300).

Now I can attest, that all Dr. Dave's points as to what the mouthpiece is supposed to do ... it does. Especially the hybrid model is extremely comfortable and increases my endurance in such a way, that a couple minute break totally refresh my chops. I've had episode in these 11 years where I've tried Greg Black and Griego Markey mouthpieces. Initially they seemed to work well, but with time, my playing stagnated or regresses a half-step.

The real plus point is, that you can try them for 90 days and if they're not your cup of tea, send it back for a full refund. And if it's ok, but you want a different size, you simply trade in one for the next one. There is only a subtraction for things like insertion points. For example I traded my 110G/.280 for a hybrid 110G/.300 and it cost me $60. So while the initial investment is around the price of a GB or Griego, the return or trade in are quite valuable. But the most important question to answer is: "Is Wedge for me'" and you can only answer that by buying one and trying it out.

Hint - how you stick it on your mouth is extremely important. "12 o'clock/6 o'clock" Keep that in mind when putting it on the face.

[TromboneSam]

Long tones and face time will fix these issues.

I wouldn’t expect to be comfortable and equally versatile on every mouthpiece if you’ve only used one size/shape for the last 4 years.

[GGJazz]

Hi Folks.
Hi Dsalad .

I am playing from many years on Wedge mpcs exclusively , and I think they are the best brand , at least for me .
Some time , just for fun , I switch to my old mpcs ( Laskey , Schilke , Marcinkiewicz , etc ) for a day or so , and there are no problems at all.. Just I prefer the Wedge , so I always come back to it !

In your case , you have to keep in mind that a Wedge 98AL is closer to a Bach 7C than to a Bach 6 1/2 AL , so switching to a Bach 6 1/2 AL is a step . So , probably this is the reason you feel uncomfortable , because you are used to a smaller mpc.

If you want a Wedge mpc similar to a Bach 6 1/2AL , you may prefer a 100AL .

Anyway , if you play good with a Wedge mpc and bad with a Bach mpc , that could means that Wedge mpcs are a good choice for you... So , I suggest you to keep playing with this brand .

Regards
Giancarlo

[2bobone]

I played on Conn, Bach, Giardinelli and other custom mouthpieces over a 30 year professional career. On a whim, I ordered a WEDGE 1 1/2G in Delrin. I put in my horn, spent a half hour on it and then played a three hour dance job with nothing but great results ! I still use it and I am able to go back to some of my old mouthpieces without any problems. The concept that the slightly "relieved" portions of the mouthpiece force you to keep your embouchure corners firm is terrific and effective. Of course, you must keep the mouthpiece within the suggested reasonable alignment which is no big deal. It is no more restricting than the choice of a brand of instrument that the player might choose. Like so many things, it is NOT for everyone and the WEDGE guarantee makes sure that you are not forced to keep it if it is not to your liking. Try it !! You'll like it !!