Wedge 5B Trumpet Mouthpiece and Warburton Backbore

The Wedge 5B top is a great all round mouthpiece, and an excellent choice for someone currently playing a Bach 7C or comparable size.  This top is silver plated.

Wedge mouthpieces are designed to be used with Warbruton Backbores, one of which is included in this sale.  We stock a wide selection of Warburton trumpet and cornet backbores. It is also possible to upgrade to a Wedge heavy-weight backbore.

More information about Wedge mouthpiece design, sizing, backbore choices, and testimonials can be found at http://www.wedgemouthpiece.com

Please indicate your preferred backbore in the comments section at the time of checkout or by contacting me after the sale.

Benefits of the Wedge Trumpet Mouthpiece

Reported by Players

Improved core to the sound in all registers

Increased range

Better flexibility

Better endurance

Less lip swelling

Better articulation

Easier multiple tonguing

Naturally forms a forward focused, closed aperture setup with a cleaner sound

Great for players with braces!

Design concepts

Sloping lateral rim shoulders

The lateral shoulders of each side of the rim, which lie over corners, slope sharply away from the center of the mouthpiece. That portion of the lateral rim in contact with the lip is therefore significantly narrower than the superior and inferior portions of the rim. Hence the Wedge name.

Varying rim contour and high point

The rim high point and contour varies throughout its circumference. The superior and inferior portions of the rim have a high point shifted to the outside by a slight rounding of the inner rim, producing a relatively soft bite and sloping contour of the rim.

Shifted lateral rim contour  toward the centre of the mouthpiece

The shape of the rim has the effect of producing a slightly oval shape to the cup. The longitudinal axis of the oval is oriented in a superior and inferior direction when playing.

Lateral dip of rim contour

The sloping of the lateral rim also introduces a lateral dip in the side profile of the rim. This dip is designed to transfer pressure from lateral to superior / inferior rims.

Variable inner rim bite

The variable rim contour produces a variable inner rim bite, being sharper and narrower laterally than superiorly and inferiorly. 

The net result of this design is a mouthpiece that performs unlike anything you have ever played before. This mouthpiece has the potential to revolutionize your playing experience.

How it Works

The rim contour of the Wedge interacts with the player's anatomy and physiology in a unique way. The sloping lateral shoulders leave space for improved lip range of motion. This improves range, endurance, and flexibility. The increased space for lip movement also improves the ability to open the corners of the lips for a breath, and to then replace them to their original position without the difficulty associated with conventional rims. The central portions of the upper and lower lips are pinned in place by the relatively wider upper and lower rims while the lateral lips are able to move while breathing. All of this comes with a fuller sound with improved core in all registers.

We all know that there is no magic bullet. The path to excellence in trumpet playing is through diligent and dedicated practice. No mouthpiece will give you instant high chops and super human endurance. However, the increased efficiency of the Wedge design provides a revolutionary improvement in performance throughout the entire range of the horn. The mouthpiece will do its part if you do yours.  

Who is playing a Wedge?

Brandon Ridenour of the Canadian Brass

Trent Austin
www.trentaustin.com

Kim Beachum - Calgary Prime Time Big Band

Art Davis

www.niu.edu/music/about/bios/adavis.shtml

Howard Engstrom

Principal Trumpet—Calgary Philharmonic

Dr. Michael Guevara

www.cincoranchmusic.com/Michael_Guevara.htm

Gabriel Hasselbach

www.gabrieljazz.com

Mike Herriott

www.mikeherriott.com

Merrie Klazek

Principal Trumpet—Thunder Bay

Symphony Orchestra

Dean McNeill - Head, Department of Music

University of Saskatchewan

Jim Murray

Lead Trumpet—Calgary Prime Time Big Band—www.jim-murray.ca

Miles Newman

Principal Trumpet—Regina Symphony

Orchestra

Richard Scholz— Calgary Philharmonic

Testimonials from Endosing Artists

“You will NEVER find a more comfortable rim that is this flexible. Most traditional "comfortable" rims tend to restrict the ability to move your lips as needed. NOT the Wedge! Some traditional "comfortable" rims are a bit slippery not allowing you to get a grip. NOT the Wedge! The Wedge rims achieve what I feel is the best combination of comfort and grip. They also can produce a great range of timbres on one mouthpiece.

I can't recommend these highly enough. You really owe it to yourself to try these. You will be stunned at how well they play right off the bat!”

Nick Drozdoff

(Endorsing Artist)

"From the first note I played on the new Wedge "Herriott L" lead mouthpiece, I haven't looked back on anything I've used in the past. I find that I get more core to my sound, greater consistency in tone throughout the conventional and extended range of the trumpet, and improved response. The new Herriott line (Lead, Classic, Pops, Picc, Flugel) combines to make up the right tool-box of equipment for the variety of work that I do."

Mike Herriott
(Endorsing artist)

"Dave Harrison has come up with a mouthpiece that improves articulation, accuracy and really defines the upper register. The trumpet mouthpiece allows me to cover the entire range of the horn with a full rich sound. The flugel model really enhances the dark, deep tone of my flugelhorn.

I can't say enough about the Wedge. Thanks Dave for your passion and expertise in building such a great line of mouthpieces."

Terry Townson

(Endorsing Artist)

"I have no hesitations about recommending the Wedge mouthpiece and, for what it's worth, heartily give the Wedge an enthusiastic 'two thumbs up!' I now have the sizzle that I wanted on the top end, and still have a nice, full lower register. This combination allows me to easily adjust between playing lead, and warm and beautiful solos on my cocktail jazz pieces. I didn't think that one mouthpiece could allow me to play with such varying tonal colors, but this Wedge combination certainly allows me to do it better than with any other mouthpiece that I have tried. I couldn't be happier!"

Dr. Michael Guevara
Cinco Ranch Conservatory of Music

(Endorsing Artist)

Other Testimonials

"Think of all the money you have spent on lessons, horn tweaks, new horns, etc. The single most cost effective improvement you can make in your playing is a Wedge mouthpiece.

I'm not a paid endorser, just a very happy Wedge user. The good doctor Harrison is the greatest benefactor to the trumpet player since whoever invented valves."

"I applaud Dr. Dave on the Wedge, and everything he's doing with it - the return/trial policy, the donation to charities...THIS is what a mouthpiece safari should be like, but mine just stopped with the Wedge."

"My experience with the Wedge Mouthpiece has been unlike anything else I have encountered to date. No change in equipment has ever come close creating the positive impact that the Wedge has for me.

Working with Dr. Dave has been almost as enjoyable as playing the Wedge itself. Never have I been offered such a high level of customer service for any piece of equipment."

"I switched to a Wedge from my trusty Bach 9D a few months ago. My playing range has gone up a fourth (to high F)without sacrificing tone in the lower register. Quite exciting after 3 decades of believing I could not play above high C! The wedge concept is unique and I am sold on it."

"The Wedge helps me lock my mouthpiece in the right place. I think that as I fatigued, my mouthpiece would have a tendency to shift downwards. I have good flexibility and range with the Wedge. I also have my articulation, including double and triple tonguing improved with the Wedge, with a added tone intensifying weight on my mouthpiece.

Dave's personal attention to customer service cannot be overstated. It was pure pleasure dealing with Dave. I would recommend the Wedge to anyone with an open mind. I would especially recommend it to anyone who has some variability in their embouchure, and wants to lock it in properly."

“I love this mouthpiece! Working in a major music retail store, I have the opportunity to try just about anything you can think of. The Wedge truly stands out amongst the crowd. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that I would have more range and endurance on a 3C than on my 'lead' mouthpieces.”

“I don't know were to begin. I have never been able to reach up in the higher range like I can do with this mouthpiece. If I go for it I hit it. At practice time I have been hitting a clear high "F" and sometimes a high "G". I don't mean a pinched note, I mean a full sounding note. The intonation is right on in any range. Something that I have been looking for all my career with mouthpieces.”

My Guarantee to You  

Purchase a Wedge and play it for two weeks. If at the end of that time the Wedge does not meet your expectations it can be returned in new condition (insertion marks accepted) for a full refund. A 10% restocking fee applies.