Bach Trumpet Stradivarius Leadpipe/Mouthpipe Models
Vincent Bach’s first Bach trumpet had a number 2 ‘mouthpipe’, now more commonly referred to as a ‘leadpipe’.
Early New York Bach trumpets had different leadpipes, such as the 2, 4, 6, 7, and 9, and the 4 and 7 leadpipes on Bach Medium bore trumpets. Later in his experimentation, the 6 and 7 leadpipes became more standard during the New York era and are still used today.
- Model 6 leadpipe design = New York era
- Model 7 leadpipe design = New York era
At the end of the Bronx period and the beginning of the Mt. Vernon period, the leadpipes 25 & 43 (ML, L bores) and bells 37 & 38 (M bore) and 43, 72 became more the standard. The difficulty is that the markings on the bell and receiver are not there, so it’s only possible to verify the exact leadpipe and bell by shop cards during the New York & Mt. Vernon era. During the Elkhart era, Selmer standardized leadpipes offerings.
- Model 25 leadpipe design = Mount Vernon era (still the standard)
- Model 43 leadpipe design = Mount Vernon era
- Model 44 leadpipe = Copy of a pre-war Selmer [2]
Today, Bach trumpet leadpipes are made in five different tapers – 6, 7, 25, 43, and 44 leadpipes. The numbering schema is not related to the sizes, but rather to the historical experimental numbers that Vincent Bach assigned during development. It is suggested that these were the order in which they were developed.
This list of lead pipes summarizes the different leadpipe components in a simple list for easier comparisons. We are always looking for your feedback on your experiences with each of the bell and leadpipe combinations. Contact us on the website with new data or experiences.
Leadpipe | Models | Description |
|---|---|---|
25 | Std. | Some resistance, effective in centering or tying together tone production. Standard; The right lead pipe for most people. Standard specification on the venturi is 0.345″ [2] |
25-O | Std. XL Std. LT | More open and free-blowing, less restrictive than 25. Less resistance than the 25, but is not quite as free blowing as the 43. Standard specification on the venturi is 0.349″ (0.004″ different than lead pipe 25.) [2] |
6 | - | Slightly more restrictive than 25. For those who want alot of resistance, the most restrictive leadpipe bach makes. Similar to the leadpipe found on the Yamaha “Z” trumpet. Helps with endurance. |
7 | - | Darker tone, more free-blowing than 25. Dark, similar to the 43, but not nearly as bright. Broader tone quality than the 25. |
8 | Used on Medium bore (0.453") Bach Trumpets (late 1930s - 1940) | |
9 | Used on Small bore (0.448") Bach Trumpets (late 1930s - 1940) | |
43 | - | More open feeling with less resistance and more flexibility than 25. Brighter sound. A favorite for lead players. Very open and bright. Some people find that this “kills your chops” faster than the 25. |
44 | - | Brighter sounding than 43 for more flexible tone placement. Basically the 43 but slightly brighter. Material used is nickel silver or german silver, unlike the common yellow brass used in the std. leadpipes. |
25LR | Std. LR | Reversed construction, longer form of 25 with less resistance. Because it’s reversed, its overall longer. Is is said to give little resistance, but alot players hate LR pipes. |
43LR | - | Reversed construction, longer form of 43 with less resistance.Like the 25 LR but has even less resistance. |
” The most important thing to understand about Bach C trumpet mouthpipes is that they are made from the same tubes as Bb pipes are. The differences are found in the length, the venturi, and the fitting of the large end. If the pipe on a C trumpet has no markings on the receiver, it’s a 25C. This standard Bb pipe has been shortened from 9.750″ to 7.125″. The venturi is a stock .347″, and the large end of the tube is flared out to meet the inside of the outer tuning slide tube. The standard pipe plays with some resistance and moderate centering.
[2] Bob Osmun, Osmun Music.
Leadpipe | Models | Description |
|---|---|---|
25C | Std. | Some resistance, effective in centering or tying together tone production. Standard; The right leadpipe for most people. 25 mouthpipe cut to a standard C length. |
25H | - | Bigger tone, more free-blowing and flexible than 25C. Herseth leadpipe-(hence the “H”…) Big, fat, sound. Takes air to play and can sound airy in the lower register. Free blowing and very flexible. More volume possible than with the 25. Same length as the 25C. "The 25H (Herseth) mouthpipe is almost identical to the 25C. The venturi (smallest point) has been enlarged to .351". At the large end the tube is not flared, as it is on the stock pipe. Rather, a sleeve is inserted to create a substantial step where the end of the tube meets the outer slide tube. This configuration makes the instrument much more flexible. The slots for the notes are wider, enabling a strong player to overcome intonation problems. The feel and sound of the 25H pipe are probably the most characteristically Bach of all the variations of Bach C mouthpipes." [2] |
25A | - | Longer than 25C. Many people find this has slightly less resistance than the 25C…Not much of a difference at all. 25 mouthpipe cut longer than the standard C length with a slightly shorter tuning slide on the top side. |
25S | - | Full length B mouthpipe (longer than 25A) with only 3/4″ pull on main tuning slide. “Full length Bb leadpipe, with only a “3/4 pull on main tuning slide.” In other words, it helps the C trumpet play more open. Schlueter leadpipe-(hence the “S”…) |
25R | - | Reversed construction, longer form of 25C. More open and free-blowing with darker sound. Additional length improves the intonation of high register. |
7C | - | Darker tone, more free-blowing than 25C. Darker, bolder, less resistance than the standard leadpipe. |
7R | Reversed construction, longer form of 7C. Less resistant, free-blowing. Additional length improves the intonation of high register. Like the 7C but it is a reversed pipe. Even less resistance than the 7C. | |
6R | - | Reversed construction, longer form of 6. Less resistant, free-blowing. Additional length improves intonation of high register. Because it’s reversed, its overall longer. Is is said to give little resistance, but alot players hate LR pipes. |
43C | - | More open feeling with less resistance and more flexibility than 25C. Very similar to the Bb 43…free blowing, little resistance, etc. Nice sound in the upper register. |
43R | - | Reversed construction, longer form of 43C. Less resistant, free-blowing. Additional length improves intonation of high register. LR…Very similar to the 43C but can actually be a little stuffy in the lower register. |
44C | - | Brighter than 43C with more flexible tone placement. Bright sounding, too bright when combined with the 229 bell for most people. |
44R | - | Reversed construction, longer form of 44C. Less resistant, free-blowing. Additional length improves intonation of high register. You guessed it….LR…Very similar to the 43C but can actually be a little stuffy in the lower register. |
Leadpipe | Models | Description |
|---|---|---|
106 | Std. 181 | Some resistance, effective in centering or tying together tone production. |
184 | Std. 184 | Some resistance, effective in centering or tying together tone production. |
112 | - | Slightly tighter and more centered than the 106 leadpipe. |
source: Vincent Bach Corp., Selmer Company, Conn Selmer
source: Bob Osmun, Osmun Music. [2]
source: eBay, TheTrumpetFixer
source: various TrumpetHerald.com posts
