What is the primary benefit of the Heritage design compared to the Classic series?

The Heritage design shifts mass to the lower cup and throat area, which sharpens the response and enhances tonal focus. This differs from the Classic series by offering more projection and clarity, especially in the upper register.

What shank size does the Denis Wick 9BS use?

The 9BS model features a small shank, making it compatible with most standard tenor trombones and baritone horns that accept small-bore mouthpieces.

How does the thinned rim affect the player?

The thinned rim and upper walls are designed to increase playing comfort and improve the clarity of articulation. This helps the player feel more responsive feedback from the instrument during technical passages.

Is the 9BS suitable for orchestral playing?

Yes, its focused tone and power make it suitable for a variety of settings, including solo, orchestral, and brass band performances. It provides the projection needed for demanding professional pieces.

What finish is applied to this mouthpiece?

The mouthpiece is finished in high-quality silver plating. This provides a clean, professional look and adds durability to the brass underneath.

What is the typical price for the Denis Wick Heritage 9BS?

The typical price for this model is approximately GBP 138. Prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer and current availability.

Who is the ideal user for this mouthpiece?

It is ideally suited for advancing trombonists. These players typically require more control and better projection than a standard beginner mouthpiece can provide.

How does the weight distribution affect the sound?

By placing more mass at the throat, the mouthpiece helps to focus the sound. This results in a more colourful tone and prevents the sound from becoming 'washy' at higher volumes.

Can this mouthpiece be used on a bass trombone?

No, the 9BS is designed for tenor trombone. For bass trombone, a larger mouthpiece like the Denis Wick 2AL would be more appropriate.

How does the 9BS compare to a Coppergate 11C?

The 9BS is part of the professional Heritage line with a specific mass-redistribution design for enhanced focus. The Coppergate 11C is generally considered a different size and class of mouthpiece often used for various student applications.

Does the Heritage 9BS improve the high register?

Yes, the adjustment in mass is specifically designed to enhance tonal focus and response in the upper registers. This makes it easier for players to achieve clarity in high-pitched passages.

Is the Denis Wick 9BS compatible with a Conn 52H?

Yes, as long as the instrument is configured for a small shank mouthpiece, the 9BS will fit. The Conn 52H is a dual-bore tenor trombone that is often paired with such high-quality mouthpieces.

Gear article

Denis Wick Heritage Tenor Trombone Mouthpiece 9BS

The Denis Wick Heritage Tenor Trombone Mouthpiece 9BS is a small-shank mouthpiece designed to provide advancing trombonists with enhanced control, focus, and projection. It features a unique weight distribution that shifts mass toward the lower cup and throat to sharpen response while maintaining a thinned rim for player comfort.

Denis Wick Heritage Tenor Trombone Mouthpiece Small Shank 9BS Silver Plated

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Background and Design Evolution

The Heritage series represents a significant architectural evolution of the original Denis Wick Classic mouthpiece designs. While it retains the core dimensions of the Classic series, the Heritage model utilizes a sophisticated redistribution of mass. By shifting weight away from the top of the mouthpiece and concentrating it lower in the cup and throat area, the design aims to manipulate the vibrational characteristics of the brass.

This specific 9BS model is finished in high-quality silver plating, which provides a professional aesthetic and durable surface for long-term use. The construction is intended to bridge the gap between traditional tonal qualities and the requirements of modern high-performance playing.

Technical Features and Mechanics

The primary mechanical innovation of the Heritage 9BS is its varying wall thickness. The upper walls and rim are intentionally thinned, which serves two purposes: it reduces the physical burden on the player's embouchure for increased comfort and enhances the sensitivity of articulation.

Conversely, the added mass at the bottom of the cup serves to stabilise the air column. This 'shifted mass' design helps the player achieve a more immediate response from the instrument. The small shank configuration ensures compatibility with a wide range of standard tenor trombones, including intermediate and professional models like the Conn 52H.

Gear4Music Coppergate 11C Trombone Mouthpiece by Gear4music

Sonic Character and Performance

In performance, the Heritage 9BS is characterized by its colourful tone and enhanced focus. The concentration of mass near the throat allows for greater projection and clarity, which is particularly beneficial when navigating the upper registers of the trombone.

The mouthpiece is designed to be versatile, offering enough power for demanding solo passages while maintaining the subtlety required for ensemble or brass band settings. The result is a sound that remains clear under various dynamic levels without losing its core tonal identity.

Target Audience and Comparisons

This mouthpiece is specifically marketed toward advancing trombonists who have outgrown entry-level equipment and require more precision. It is often compared to the Gear4Music Coppergate 11C, though the 9BS offers a different mass profile and focus.

While the 9BS is a medium-bore specialist, players requiring equipment for different voices might look to the Denis Wick 2AL for bass trombone or the Conn 34H for alto trombone work. Within the Denis Wick range, the Heritage stands apart from the Classic series by offering a sharper response and more modern articulation profile.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the primary benefit of the Heritage design compared to the Classic series?: The Heritage design shifts mass to the lower cup and throat area, which sharpens the response and enhances tonal focus. This differs from the Classic series by offering more projection and clarity, especially in the upper register.
What shank size does the Denis Wick 9BS use?: The 9BS model features a small shank, making it compatible with most standard tenor trombones and baritone horns that accept small-bore mouthpieces.
How does the thinned rim affect the player?: The thinned rim and upper walls are designed to increase playing comfort and improve the clarity of articulation. This helps the player feel more responsive feedback from the instrument during technical passages.
Is the 9BS suitable for orchestral playing?: Yes, its focused tone and power make it suitable for a variety of settings, including solo, orchestral, and brass band performances. It provides the projection needed for demanding professional pieces.
What finish is applied to this mouthpiece?: The mouthpiece is finished in high-quality silver plating. This provides a clean, professional look and adds durability to the brass underneath.
What is the typical price for the Denis Wick Heritage 9BS?: The typical price for this model is approximately GBP 138. Prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer and current availability.
Who is the ideal user for this mouthpiece?: It is ideally suited for advancing trombonists. These players typically require more control and better projection than a standard beginner mouthpiece can provide.
How does the weight distribution affect the sound?: By placing more mass at the throat, the mouthpiece helps to focus the sound. This results in a more colourful tone and prevents the sound from becoming 'washy' at higher volumes.
Can this mouthpiece be used on a bass trombone?: No, the 9BS is designed for tenor trombone. For bass trombone, a larger mouthpiece like the Denis Wick 2AL would be more appropriate.
How does the 9BS compare to a Coppergate 11C?: The 9BS is part of the professional Heritage line with a specific mass-redistribution design for enhanced focus. The Coppergate 11C is generally considered a different size and class of mouthpiece often used for various student applications.
Does the Heritage 9BS improve the high register?: Yes, the adjustment in mass is specifically designed to enhance tonal focus and response in the upper registers. This makes it easier for players to achieve clarity in high-pitched passages.
Is the Denis Wick 9BS compatible with a Conn 52H?: Yes, as long as the instrument is configured for a small shank mouthpiece, the 9BS will fit. The Conn 52H is a dual-bore tenor trombone that is often paired with such high-quality mouthpieces.