"I have been to the Bob Reeves website and tried their "Trumpet Mouthpiece Advisor".  Now I have a question.

I play a GR 62M and love it but I was hoping to get a bit more edge to my sound for big band playing. When I put that information into the Reeves Advisor, they told me that I should get the Reeves 40S / 692S.  I tried that piece but bottomed out immediately. Plus the rim contour was not even close to the GR standard rim. Please help!"

Robert Keith

Robert,

You are correct.  The Reeves rim is quite different from our standard GR rim! This is a very important set of parameters to consider and the rim can make or break how the mouthpiece responds and feels for you.

They also did not take into account the amount of chop engagement that you may have. There is a reason that the GR 62M works for you and the "advisor" does not take this into account. You have a certain amount of chop engagement and as you have stated, you bottom out on smaller volume pieces with higher alpha angles, since the Reeves shut you down. You also need a rim that keeps chop out of the cup, as opposed to the Reeves.

What we really need to know is your specific history. This is just one reason why comparison charts and "advisors" don't work.

From that we can determine how to proceed. In your case we need more compression for more edge and an easier upper register, but you still require the necessary chop room for efficient vibrations.

Regarding the rim, you didn't mention any rim problems so I would say stay with the standard rim.

Next, you need a certain amount of chop room in the cup. Have you tried our MS cup? If not, it is worth a look to see if you can tolerate that cup. If so and if it didn't work, let's add compression in the throat and backbore area. I would suggest our #1 backbore, or our T-72 backbore. You may also want to look at the Primal 62 or check out the 62S-B. These both offer similar chop room to the 62M but a higher compression cup and backbore.

Models  Cup Volume  Cup Volume Cup Diameter r2 r4 Rim
62 Description Cubic Inches Inch mm Fraction @.032" Contour Bite Alpha Angle
E62S Small .063 0.62 15.75 39.7/64 .635 Med. Flat - Wide Medium Soft Medium High
E62MS Medium Small .067 0.62 15.75 39.7/64 .635 Med. Flat - Wide Medium Soft Medium High
E62M Medium .0695 0.62 15.75 39.7/64 .635 Med. Flat - Wide Medium Soft Medium High
62Z* Small 0.0583 0.62 15.75 39.7/64 .629 Flat  Med. - Wide Medium High
62Z** Small 0.0588 0.62 15.75 39.7/64 .633 Flat  Med. - Wide Soft High
62SZ Small .0598 0.62 15.75 39.7/64 .631 Medium Medium Medium High
62S Small .062 0.62 15.75 39.7/64 .631 Medium Medium Medium High
62MS Medium Small .066 0.62 15.75 39.7/64 .631 Medium Medium Medium High
62M Medium .068 0.62 15.75 39.7/64 .631 Medium Medium Medium High
Primal 62 Medium Small .0672 0.62 15.75 39.7/64 .631 Medium Medium Medium High
Primal 62Z Small 0.0637 0.62 15.75 39.7/64 .631 Medium Medium Medium High

Unfortunately the Reeves Mouthpiece Advisor is way off in this case. Simply suggesting smaller cup volumes without knowing the player's history will only lead to frustration.

Before I suggest a mouthpiece, I need to know more information. That is where the GR Mouthpiece Questionnaire comes into the picture. This is not a blind comparison chart or advisor. It is a set of questions designed to help us direct you to the proper mouthpiece.

Click Here to view the GR Mouthpiece Questionnaire

Depending on your answers, we would suggest a mouthpiece for you to try through a GR Dealer or a Trained GR Consultant. Visiting a trained GR Consultant in person is always the best bet.

I hope this explains why we do not like to use comparison charts or "general" advisors.

Brian Scriver

GR Technologies.