Trumpet, cornet, and flugel starting at $150.00
Trombone and Tuba starting at $175.00
For an additional charge create your own personalized mouthpiece! Choose a rim you like and combine it with any cup I have in my vast collection of geometry files. I will machine the cup and rim in any of my available blanks and balance the blow with the appropriate backbore. Once we've perfected your mouthpiece, your file is saved as digital information. That means any copies you order in the future will be as perfect as the first!
Options available
1. Mix and match cups and rims
Minimum charge $150.00
Let’s say over the years you've found the rim contour of the 3C most comfortable, but like the sound quality of the 1.25C cup more. I can combine these two features and create a mouthpiece that has the sound, comfort, and the playing characteristics you've been looking for.
2. Scaling
Minimum charge $150.00
Perhaps you've liked the sound of a 1C but found it just too large to handle for all your playing. What if it was just 1% or 2% smaller? This is easily accomplished by scaling the mouthpiece down. the total cup volume may be reduced only by 1 or 2% but the diameter is also reduced. What this gives you is the 1C mouthpiece in a smaller size that you may be able to handle for all your playing. It will still have the sound qualities of the Standard 1C, but it will now be easier playing.
For example:
Standard 1C rim diameter=.680"
1C 99% diameter =.673" (@ 1.25C diameter)
1C 98% diameter=.664" (@ 5C diameter)
In this scaled example you can see how the cup proportions remain exactly the same. This is how the playing characteristics and overall sound quality of the scaled versions are nearly identical to the original.
3. Complete digitizing of original mouthpiece.
Minimum charge $250.00, includes one mpc. copy in silverplate.
If you have a truly unique mouthpiece, consider having it scanned. This will insure that in case of theft or loss you will have an exact duplicate available. Although it is costly, you will be assured that I have the exact dimensions on file. In addition, once I have your rim dimensions, I can easily combine that with any cup to create a cornet or flugel mouthpiece.
4. Other options
a. Trumpet shanks cut for Bob Reeves’ Patented Sleeve System
New mouthpieces only!!!
For an additional $15.00 give yourself the option of “fine-tuning” your gap
Reeves Sleeves are not always in stock. Bob Reeves is your best source for these.
If I have the correct sleeve for you, they are $17.00 each
b. Screw Rim Models
Minimum charge $150.00 for standard curry trumpet models.
$175.00 for trombone
$175.00 for Tuba.
Additional custom charges may apply.
Curry Trumpet, Cornet, Flugelhorn, Trombone, and Tuba mouthpieces can be ordered with a Lexan (clear) polycarbonate screw rim. This is recommended if the player has an intolerance to brass, silver or gold mouthpieces, or if outdoor playing in cold weather on a freezing mouthpiece bothers him. These are made for Curry mouthpieces only (proprietary threads) and are not intended to be a part of any interchangeable “system”.
c. Premium Trumpet Blank Styles
Any stock Curry cup is available in a UltraLite, BlackJack HitMan blank (mid-weight), or Curry Heavy blank. These are now $125.00 retail, the higher price
reflecting the more difficult work-holding and finishing problems associated with these blanks. Traditional Bach-Style (not pictured) adds $20 to normal stock price of $96.00. Note: all BC cups in the Curry Standard Line come in the Bach-style blank at normal ($86.00) price.
Generally speaking, heavier mouthpieces help to darken the tone and produce a more intense fundamental pitch with more resistance. Projection out front is also enhanced. This is also a good option for players who play a small cup wishing to have a slightly darker, fuller tone.
The mid-weight BlackJack "HitMan" blank offers a great combination of slotting and noise reduction, while adding body and color to the sound. A distinct "ring" to the sound is present and player feedback is excellent. This illustrates that trumpet mouthpiece design need not be limited to merely adding or subtracting mass, but rather, distributing it thoughtfully.
Lighter blanks allow more overtones to develop and color changes are easier to produce at low volume levels. However, the sound may “break up” at high volume levels. Trumpet cups shallower than Curry Z cups tend to sound "tinny" on this blank, while M cups or deeper develop a hot "burn" to the tone, especially on light-weight trumpets.
Standard length (Curry standards are 3.5") match up well with most modern trumpet and offer a good balance of resistance, volume of sound, and slotting characteristics.
Matching cornet and flugel pieces available in the Heavy and BlackJack HitMan blanks only. UltraLite is available for trumpet only.
Important Considerations when ordering a Custom Mouthpiece...
A mouthpiece, at it's very best, is still a compromise. An ideal mouthpiece should have these qualities:
Rim diameter, width and contour is a personal issue. There is no set rule that governs this. I've seen physically large players that can play tiny little mouthpieces, and small players who play extremely large mouthpieces equally well. It is also highly dependent on the individual's teeth and jaw formation.
You don't want to limit yourselves on your musicality. The best players have strong low G's as well as a sweet, pretty high G.
FACT: what most players perceive as the rim is actually a combination of the rim, bite, and undercut!
This brings us to:
Lip Intrusion:
This occurs when the lips actually intrude into the mouthpiece cup. This is somewhat related to the size and thickness of the individual's lips, but not a direct correlation. I stood next to Cat Anderson (the Great High Note player with Duke Ellington's band) and watched him play back in 1975. Even though his lips were large and thick, there was nearly zero intrusion into the cup, which was incredibly shallow. On the other hand, I've seen small-lipped players stuff half their face into a 1C and sound great from low G to high G and above.
The Cup should give a good usable tone over the players range.
Obviously, the cup depth and shape should be complimentary to the music at hand. Orchestral works generally require a large volume of tone and therefore a larger, deeper cup. This same player, working in a R & B band on the weekend may be able to perform the job on his 1C, but the sound requirements for this job are different. He needs a mouthpiece that will give him more “pop” and faster response , with more “front” to the sound, especially in the higher register. He can accomplish this using the same rim, but with a slightly shallower, differently shaped cup.
The Throat and Backbore should be balanced towards the “Sweet Spot.”
In addition to creating overall sound and blowing characteristics, throats and backbores also help determine the physical limits of the player, mouthpiece and horn. Every player, mouthpiece, and horn has a “sweet spot.” This is where the player can comfortably play his entire range of the horn, with complete control over attacks, dynamic levels, and tone color.
I often advise players to wear ear plugs* in both ears when trying to find their “sweet spot”....they turn the focus inward, instead of on the “sound” they think they should be hearing. Without exception, after 30 minutes of “easy” practice with the ear plugs in place, the players are playing with a more relaxed approach, and a more centered, denser sound.
*Music ear plugs- custom molded to your ear at most hearing aid stores. Around $200.00. Get the 25db reduction models. the 15 db simply do not take enough sound out. We all know guitarists who are very good lip readers.....
For our purposes, the 29 cent foam plugs work just fine!