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SM4M--a really fine medium-shank solution for old Bessons, others
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by George Butler
(georgebutler2003@yahoo.com)
9/3/2008 1:52:04 AM
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Musical Experience:
trombonist, low brass teacher
Style of music:
17th-century onwards
Hometown
Tallinn, Estonia
At a previous teaching assignment in south Texas, I discovered some wonderful old pre-1980 Besson euphoniums in our inventory. Before putting them into service, I had to find a proper mouthpiece, one with a medium shank, also known as a "continental" shank. The receivers on many fine current European instruments also require a mouthpiece with a medium shank. (Band directors, if you are unsure about what you have or need, give WWBW a call, and ask for a euphonium or tuba specialist. He (or she) can fill you in on which mouthpiece receiver (S, M, and L) your model has.) As a trombonist, I live and die with my Bach 4G; I found the SM4M (an "acronym" for Steven Mead 4 medium) to be very comfortable. The rim seems more flat that my Bach 4G, but I don't have any trouble going back and forth between the two. I am happy with my silver plated model, though I might choose a gold one if I did more euphonium work. (Some folks prefer the gold for comfort; I dunno.) These are quite reasonably priced; you really have no reason to settle for a small-shank mouthpiece and an adaptor. Beautiful sound, in tune, very comfortable. Highly, highly recommended.
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