It appears that confusion still exists regarding tapers. We will make an effort to give only the facts. It is always best to have the facts on technical information. Taper information can be found in engineering manuals, as well as, the Machinery’s Handbook. With 25+ years of tool making, machine building, design, and repair we understand the need to have exact tolerances!

It is understandable how people might be confused about tapers and other specifications due to the instrument manufacturers. All manufacturers don’t use the same specifications, therefore, we take the following position:

Musical instrument manufacturers need to organize and set standards.

Each manufacture would have the option to be represented in a Musical Instrument Manufacturing Organization. The function of this organization would be to organize and set standards. Standardization has been done the auto industry and many others. Standards in the industry would put an end to guess work. At this point in time the only way to know an exact specification of a taper, gap, engagement, or shank diameter is to physically measure it. Setting standards would improve communication between manufactures and consumers, avoid confusion, and save the consumer money. It would also force manufactures to be accountable, measure more carefully and be more quality conscious.

There are Morse Standard Taper Shanks and Morse Stub Taper Shanks. These have a specific number (0-7), Taper per foot, Taper per inch, Small End of Plug, Diameter End of Socket, Shank Length, Shank Depth, and Depth of Hole. There are other terms regarding tapers we don’t need to be concerned with.

It is often said the taper for trumpet and flugelhorn is a #1 Morse Taper. The specs for a #1 Morse Taper is, .59858” taper per foot, Taper per inch .049882”, Small End of Plug is .369”, and Diameter End of Socket is .475”. This is close but not an exact dimension for any musical instrument shank. This will not for the the trumpet or Flugelhorn without a modification to the tool. The standard flugelhorn taper begins at .355”. How do you cut a taper starting at .355” if the #1 Morse Standard Taper begins at .369? It’s not a #1 Standard Morse Taper. The trumpet taper begins at .382” to .393” and that is larger than a #1 Standard Morse Taper, therefore, the taper reamer would need to be cut.

In the past one large manufacturer published dimensions for the Flugelhorn is a taper of .050” per inch, small end diameter of 355”, a large end diameter of .405”, and an engagement of 1”. This taper is .050” per inch or .6000” per foot. Again it’s not the same specs as a #1 Standard Morse Taper, .59858” taper per foot, Taper per inch .049882, although it’s close. Actually, the Jarno Taper is .050” per inch and .6000” per foot. These dimensions are not a standard in the industries as of yet.

A taper needs to have a starting diameter, ending diameter and a rate of change.

All tapered Flugelhorn shanks have the same taper (.050” per inch) but the starting and ending dimensions will vary. Therefore, they will have different engagements into the Flugelhorn leadpipe. The first engagement (.355” to .405”) is probably similar to what another manufacture refers to as “SMALL Morris taper”. Please see the GR drawing and note the taper is the same for all engagements.

The Straight Taper/French Taper is not a taper at all.

It is a cylindrical shank ,although most manufacturers put a taper at the end so the mouthpiece fits securely. This system is poor at best and often player will use a tapered shank without knowing. The tapered shank will distort the leadpipe so a straight or cylindrical shank will not fit securely.

GR Technologies and Charlie’s Brass Works have designed a new Flugelhorn Leadpipe to fit older Couesnon Flugels.

This will convert the Flugel from the Straight Shank to a taper. They are tapered and have a specific engagement to enhance the playability of the old flugels. They are already on the market.

Another word or caution for Blessing and Getzen owners. Some Getzen models but not all have a step in the leadpipe (Tapered) when looking from the mouthpiece end. This can cause interference and certain mouthpieces may bottom out. This step can be removed, email for info. Some Blessings but not the real old ones have a similar condition and a ring is soldered in the leadpipe. The Blessings have a straight shank/French Taper.