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SM Euphonium & Baritone Mouthpieces

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Mouthpiece Reviews - what they're saying about the SM series mouthpieces:

Martin A. Richling, USA
Larry Lane, Mississippi State University
Mark Stephens - Chairman, Board of Directors, Motor City Brass Band
• Frank Hall, amateur musician, Amarillo, Tx
• Clearnce Weber, Euphonium, The Allentown Band, USA
• Skip Gray, President ITEA, Professor of Music, Performance Studio of Tuba and Euphonium, School of Music, University of Kentucky

EUPHONIUM.NET is proud to present the complete SM Range of Mouthpieces for Euphonium and Baritone, made by Denis Wick, London. Designed and played by Steven Mead Please read Steven's very thorough comments below before making your order or emailing us with questions... go to the webshop now!

Steven Mead comments on his specially devloped line of SM mouthpieces

A couple of years ago Denis Wick invited me to work on a new series of mouthpieces for euphonium and baritone - this was a great honour as Denis Wick is a name synonymous not only with trombone playing and teaching but also as the pioneer of quality mouthpieces and mutes for all brass instruments. In fact I had played on one of his mouthpieces since my early teenage years. It was going to take a lot to make me want to swap my ageing 3AL for a new mouthpiece! However, after over a year of testing and re-testing I was satisfied that the new mouthpiece with its distinctive shape and feel was probably going to be a winner with brass musicians.

And so it has turned out. Players the world over are demanding this mouthpiece and are finding its balance of tonal centre and rich tone quality allied to the ease of flexibility and comfort to be just right to help them achieve their true potential. The main features of the range are:

• a very comfortable rim that allows the players to play for long periods of time without the rim cutting into the lips.
• the outer edge of the rim is contoured to allow for a great balance between a positive 'feel' and a smooth feeling for the lip muscles. The effect is immediately noticed.
• a firm inner rim edge which makes for a lightening response and positive lip flexibility
• an outer shape that maximises the energy potential of the vibrating air column as it passing through the back bore into the shank.
• the outer shape is carefully calculated to allow for a firm tonal centre and yet retains a true euphonium/baritone sound.
• a resultant firmness in the notes, especially noticed in the higher and lower register where euphoniums/baritones are prone to sound pinched/thin (high) and 'woolly' (low). Players are able to keep a rich sound in these extremes of pitch as well as the middle register.
• increased response of articulation in all ranges
• the tongue seems to be able to articulate clearer and faster, with less effort.
• a very pleasing aesthetic effect as the shape is rounded and elegant, finished in either bright silver or gold plate to the usual extremely high standards of craftsmanship for which the Denis Wick range is famous.

Description

SM2 Euphonium The biggest euph m.p. in the range , used by some professional wind band players and players who have occasion to double on bass trombone. Produces , predictably, a massive low range tone and v.rich and sonorous middle register. Popular also with tuba players who teach euphonium and like to play along with students.

SM3 Euphonium The famous SM3 is the choice of many top soloists including the designer Steven Mead, as it makes a rich full sound and, given the right air use, is still able to soar majestically into the higher register with a full tone. Quite deep cup. Whilst some players find the SM4 or SM3.5 just a little more accommodating the players who like this m.p. won't hear a bad word said about it. The 'ultimate' m.p. if you can handle it.

SM3M Euphonium As for SM3 but with medium ('European') shank.

SM3.5 Euphonium A relatively new m.p. being made as a result of popular request: a m.p. that is a cross between the SM3 and 4. So it has the cup depth of the SM4, (slightly shallower than the SM3) with the rim diameter of the SM3. Proving to be very popular and supplied with all new Besson Prestige euphs. Seems to satisfy the demands of the good player and has a great balance between the tone and ease of playing asked for by a large number of top band player and soloists.

SM4 Euphonium The most popular m.p. in the range and played by a large number of the top euphonium virtuosi around the world including the majority of championship section brass band solo euphonium players in the UK today. Similar in size to the Shilke 51D has made many fans in the USA too in the last couple years. Has comfort, sound, range, flexibility that woos event the sceptic. Medium cup depth. Also supplied with the new Besson Prestige euphs. Works with all other euphs too!

SM4M Euphonium NEW January 2001 , due to popular request. As for SM4 but with medium ('European' shank) Very popular with German-style Bariton players who want a big full sound on their instruments.

SM5 Euphonium Smaller in some dimension but still quite deep. Popular with many players who prefer their rim size a little smaller yet who still want quite a deep cup and the sought after SM m.p. tone. Has proved popular with many Japanese players. Preferred also by younger players who may find the SM4/3.5/4 a bit big to handle.

SMB4 Baritone Originally intended as the baritone mouthpiece for euphonium players who has made the switch to baritone and who wanted to retain exactly the same feel as their old no.4 euph m.p. Makes a truly huge baritone sound and whilst many true baritone players prefer the more focussed sound of the B6 the B4 has many fans who just love what it can do.

SMB6 Baritone The most popular size baritone mouthpiece and also extremely sought after by players of German-style tenorhorn (in Bb). Gives the baritone player clarity , range, flexibility and improved stamina. Used by many of the top brass band baritonists in the world today. A big seller.

SMB9 Baritone Much smaller than the 6 and 4 and provides a very easy high register for the brass band baritone player and very popular with German-style tenorhorn players who want secure, reliable high notes and a high full quality of sound.

Please note: Euphonium.net recommends that where possible you obtain your SM mouthpiece from a recognised dealer where you can hopefully get the chance to try before you buy. However, due to an overwhelming demand this site is now offering this hugely popular range of mouthpiece for sale on-line.

We hope you find the service to your satisfaction and mouthpieces will be shipped whenever possible on the same day as we receive your order. Due to the nature of mouthpiece sales we regret that we are unable to accept returns or exchanges or sell mouthpieces on a trial basis.

Steven Mead and Euphonium Net hope you will take advantage of this new service and that you will get many happy years of music making with your new mouthpiece!