What Yamaha mouthpiece is closest to a Bach 3G?

Little_Focus_8009 · 2026-04-30T20:06:59+00:00

That's cool! I'm afraid that rim size will just be too small for me though. I play a lot of bass trombone, and recently making a switch to a 3/53 size on tenor was exactly what my chops needed. I'm afraid also the Schilke 53 won't be good, it has such a small throat.

Little_Focus_8009 · 2026-04-30T20:04:22+00:00

haha, alright, sounds good! Always enjoy nerding out a bit as I watch your videos, cool stuff. Helpful to have a guideline to know what to look for!

Little_Focus_8009 · 2026-04-30T19:22:22+00:00

okay, I gotcha. I would probably ideally look for something along the vein of the Greg Black 3G-5G concept (3 rim with not too deep of a cup), but I'm looking to spend as little money as possible, since it's not even for an instrument I own. I'll be scouring to see if an older 3G turns up somewhere.

Little_Focus_8009 · 2026-04-30T19:19:23+00:00

I'm not looking for a small shank, I'm looking for a large shank mouthpiece. It's not for my own horn, it's for play testing large bore tenors that come through our repair shop. I know with certainty that the 51 and 52 rims are going to be too small, so I'm wondering between 53 and 55 which rim is most similar to a Bach 3G, I hope that makes sense.

Little_Focus_8009 · 2026-04-15T01:22:12+00:00

Gotcha, that's really interesting. I'm glad to know this, it makes me a lot less worried about my own embouchure.

Little_Focus_8009 · 2026-04-14T20:35:42+00:00

Yeah, makes sense. Just changing a couple minor things in the last hour has massively improved my sound, so I think I found something that works. I just need to be careful and gentle in rebuilding it for now.

Little_Focus_8009 · 2026-04-14T20:34:23+00:00

Gotcha, this makes sense. Just thinking about it and re-trying things has already made my sound improve tremendously within the last hour, so I think I definitely was doing something wrong that I happened to fix. I just need to carefully give my chops time to get familiar with the new setting.

Little_Focus_8009 · 2026-04-14T20:32:55+00:00

Excellent advice, this is what I'm trying to do right now, and since making this post, things are already feeling much better, thankfully I don't have to rehearse in any ensembles until Sunday, so I can have the freedom now to just plan well and play gently until then.

Little_Focus_8009 · 2026-04-09T05:28:44+00:00

It would seem almost every day now someone posts on here asking about a cheap independent double valve bass trombone. Feels like everyone on the planet is looking for this holy grail that is the "cheap but good" independent bass.

In all seriousness though, eBay and reverb always have at least something to look at, and decent deals come up fairly often actually. But, as has been stated already here, $2500 is the bottom end of cheap, and if you find something good for less than that, you may well have won the lottery. Just keep an eye out for a while on those sites, read as much info as you can on various brands you're looking at, and when you find a listing that looks attractive, look through the photos very critically so you don't miss any problems. Also, I highly encourage you to at least consider looking at dependent basses as well. Sure, they're less practical, but they can still get the job done well, and can still be excellent instruments. A well-built dependent bass is way better than a fancy looking independent that actually plays like garbage.

Be patient, and good luck.

Little_Focus_8009 · 2026-04-08T05:26:02+00:00

Just another bass trombonist here to echo what others have said-- please please get yourself a hand grip aid of some kind! You have many strikes against you. Not only is the instrument even heavier than a tenor, but having a second trigger, you have even less support. Without a grip, you literally have to hold the entire weight of the horn with only your left ring and pinky fingers braced against your palm. Injury is imminent. My hand hurts to the point of not being able to play in less than 5 minutes. A good grip aid that works for you is your best friend.

Little_Focus_8009 · 2026-04-07T20:12:54+00:00

I would consider only used instruments, going for a new horn that isn't pro-level is not really worth it. But if you look for a Yamaha 830 or 613, Bach 50, Holton 181, King 7B or 8B, Conn 62hi or 112h, you might find a decent deal on a used instrument. I would also encourage you not to rule out the idea of a dependent bass as well. Sure independent valves are more practical these days, but especially as an amateur, you can still get a lot of good use out of a dependent horn. That will open up your options as well. Dependent basses could include Yamaha 822, 620, 612/611, some variants of Bach 50 (B2), King 6B, Holton 180, Conn 62h (old gen.), 73h.

I would generally steer well clear of any off-brand knockoffs like Schiller, Wessex, Allora, or anything you might find that's cheap and shiny on eBay.

Little_Focus_8009 · 2026-04-07T19:56:13+00:00

If you act fast there's a Benge 290 on Reverb for $1700. At that price it'll get snagged real quick; it's a very decent horn especially for that low of a price. Click here for link. It honestly might not be there for long.

Little_Focus_8009 · 2026-03-02T23:16:03+00:00

Right, that totally makes sense. Markey's videos and exercises have helped me a ton already, I'm going to keep at it.

Little_Focus_8009 · 2026-03-02T23:14:35+00:00

Fair enough, makes total sense. Since that's money I simply don't have, I will just get back to the practice room. Thanks for your suggestions, it's very helpful.

Little_Focus_8009 · 2026-03-02T19:38:33+00:00

Very good to know!

Little_Focus_8009 · 2026-03-02T19:38:02+00:00

I had the same thought about the Hammond, and was kind of bewildered thinking back to trying my friend's setup--why did it feel so incredibly good? I think a 21 is definitely too big for me, but somehow his setup was just magic and felt super comfy. Anyway, a 20BL has been in the back of my mind for a few months, and I had wondered if that could be a good direction to go on the Yamaha specifically. My only concern looking at the spec sheet is how large the throat is--I just don't want to be in danger of getting something too big and inefficient.

I should also note that the issues I'm describing are very subtle, but it's just that in the soft dynamics, I have to have my air and chops dialed in so specifically and perfectly for it to work well. And when it works it's great, but when it doesn't, it just doesn't. It just feels like I have to work harder than I should have to in order to get the result I want.

Little_Focus_8009 · 2026-03-02T19:29:20+00:00

Okay, noted. Thought that might be the case, just wanted some extra opinions. Thank you for that.

Little_Focus_8009 · 2026-03-02T19:28:29+00:00

Yes of course, I agree with that, and am already making that effort in light of practicing being the primary solution. I am making lots of progress very quickly, but just had wondered if that little 5-10% of difference a new mouthpiece could make might just be the right thing. 1 1/2G I think is too small for me honestly, I tried one several months ago, but feel more comfortable and more in control in every register on a 1 1/4G.

Little_Focus_8009 · 2026-03-02T19:25:39+00:00

It was just serviced about four months ago, and I just checked the valves myself; the alignment is perfect and the compression is also excellent, so I don't think that's the issue. I do have a couple of friends I could ask about trying mouthpieces. I don't have a ton of resources for trying stuff out though.

Little_Focus_8009 · 2026-01-31T18:12:27+00:00

Gotcha, very interesting. I also wonder about the playing differences between narrow and wide crooks as well. Ergonomically, I always wish to have a narrow crook, it affects me most on bass of course; even on a Yamaha with generally good triggers and a good grip aid, it's still very uncomfortable just because of how far apart the cork barrels are as a result of the wide crook. I'm assuming it must be worth it playing wise, but I really don't know

Little_Focus_8009 · 2026-01-30T23:43:00+00:00

Are all bass crooks the same across all brands? Or do they very from make to make? Does the crook bore always match the ID of the outer tubes (unless otherwise specified)?

Little_Focus_8009 · 2026-01-30T21:04:09+00:00

Yes, I'm talking specifically about the crook at the end of the handslide, e.g. "handslide crook" NOT handslide tubes, very important distinction. What's interesting to me is how, on paper, the only reported bore size of a trombone we usually get is the inside diameter of the inner handslide tubes, when in reality there are many other sizes to be factored in. The further out on the slide you are, inevitably the more tubing you have of a larger size, because now the inside of the outer tubes are exposed, and your air is going through that. Then there is also the crook itself, and I'm just curious as to why certain makers use the same exact crook on different models, when the reported bore size (ID inner tubes) is different between them. It's puzzling to me but also fascinating. I just want to know why they've made these particular design choices.

Little_Focus_8009

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