About Cups and Rims
Our entire lineup is designed to combine sophisticated aesthetics with high functionality, significantly enhancing the performer’s playing across all
A common feature of all our cups is stable tuning in the high register, a rich, colorful sound, and precise intonation, making them suitable for a wide range of genres and styles.
・You’ll find them far superior to the cups found on standard mouthpieces.
Every cup offers a rich, vibrant tone and is optimized to enhance performances across all styles.
・Cup sizes range from XL to XS.
・All cups come in four rim sizes: 1, 2, 3, and 7. (These are similar to Bach mouthpieces but not exactly the same.)
・Since all rim shapes are identical, you can switch between cup depths to suit any need.
If you refer to the size comparison chart below along with the descriptions of each cup size, you’re sure to find the perfect cup for you.
Click on each cup name to learn more about it.
- [XL]
- [XL2]
- [L]
- [L2]
- [M]
- [M2]
- 【S】
- 【XS】
- 【F-XL】
- 【F-L】
Attention, classical players! Think of this cup as a “performance enhancer” that will dramatically improve your orchestral playing. (…And it’s completely legal!!)
The XL cup is designed specifically to benefit orchestra players. If you’re looking for a sound that goes beyond the 1-1/4C or 1C, you’ll appreciate its appealing richness. While the upper register is significantly expanded, the playing feel is similar to that of a 1B. If you fell in love with the sound of the B cup but gave up on using it because you felt limited in the upper register or endurance, why not give the XL cup another try?
With this mouthpiece, you can produce a sound that isn’t overly bright while maintaining a sweet, well-defined tone. At forte and above, it delivers a brilliant sound. It blends easily into the ensemble, so you won’t get a dirty look from the conductor! You’ll also find it easy to improve the quality of all the articulations required throughout a piece. In fact, it’s actually harder to produce awkward articulations with this mouthpiece—it feels almost like magic.
Recommended for: • Orchestral performances seeking a warm
sound • Small concert halls and chamber
music • Repertoire by Haydn,
Beethoven, Mozart, etc. • French repertoire •
Opera
performances • Rotary trumpets
For jazz players: When
using this mouthpiece for ballads or a “gentlemanly” style of playing à la Chet Baker or Blue Mitchell, you’ll achieve a very warm, rich, and refined sound. This is especially true if you play a heavy-type trumpet or a large-bore trumpet…! Just by using this mouthpiece, you’ll be amazed at how much richer your sound becomes.
For classical and jazz players who prefer a deeper bowl cup, this mouthpiece is an unquestionable upgrade.
This mouthpiece offers an exceptionally wide dynamic range. Compared to a standard XL cup, it has more brilliance and a slightly less warm, more vibrant sound, making access to the upper register incredibly easy.The standard XL is designed to achieve the soft, rounded articulation required for delicate classical performances and mellow jazz playing. However, the XL2 features a more open articulation and a punchier sound, making it the ideal choice for jazz and classical players who want to shine in a band setting.
This cup offers a very rich tonal palette. When played softly, it delivers the rich, warm tone expected of a deep cup. What’s truly remarkable is the exciting, powerful sound it produces when you really step on the gas.With this mouthpiece, you can range from a whisper of “I love you” dipped in dark chocolate to a “High G” that roars like a monster, soaring above the ensemble. Its versatility is astonishing and will greatly expand the scope of your artistic expression. And the mouthpiece Adam Rappa uses most often is this XL2.
For classical musicians, it’s ideal for the following applications:
・Wind ensemble
・20th-century and
contemporary repertoire ・Demanding pieces such as “Symphony of the Alps” and “Pines of Rome” / Mahler…etc
. ・American repertoire / Gershwin…etc
. ・Film scores / John Williams…etc
. ・Whenever you need special assistance to reach high notes while maintaining a rich tone
For jazz players: Since you
can easily hit your target notes, you’ll be able to improvise with confidence. It offers a wide tonal range, making it very easy to express nuances and character. Using this mouthpiece will allow you to add individuality and depth to your sound.
This mouthpiece is recommended for those who say, “I like playing with a deep cup, but depending on the situation, I want a sound as exciting as a C cup.” It enriches ballad performances and adds power to bebop lines and high registers. If that’s the sound you’re looking for, why not give this mouthpiece a try?
The newly designed L-cup will completely outshine other companies’ C-cups!
This mouthpiece is what everyone—from classical and jazz superstars to beginners—is looking for. It’s ideal for the many players who prefer sizes ranging from 1-1/4C to 7C. Everyone who plays it is instantly captivated by its brilliant, colorful sound and crystal-clear intonation, as if on autopilot. And you can easily produce everything from sweet whispers to terrifying screams, from majestic tones to jarring ones. (The number of classical and jazz stars who love this mouthpiece continues to grow! See the Artists page for more details.)
The major difference when compared to cups from other manufacturers is that the high register becomes surprisingly open and easy to play. Classical players will no longer need to switch to a shallower cup to tackle demanding repertoire or play the piccolo trumpet. For improvisers, this means you can confidently take on challenging phrases.
Making life this much easier for you—and for us—was an extremely time-consuming and, frankly, very expensive endeavor, but we succeeded. You’re going to love this mouthpiece. And from the moment you play your first note, you’ll never want to go back to your old C-cup again.
Like the L, the L2 is equivalent to other manufacturers’ C-cups. In exchange for sacrificing just a bit of warmth and breadth in the sound, it’s ideal for jazz and commercial players who want maximum firepower in the high register and an overall crisper, more punchy performance.These characteristics
become even more pronounced with nickel silver; compared to a standard L-cup, this mouthpiece is like its devilish twin… In other words, when you floor the accelerator, it transforms into a mouthpiece that tears through the band like a flamethrower.
If you’re the type to play the lead on a 3C, or if you’re a jazz soloist looking for a little extra help when playing aggressive solos, you’re sure to love this mouthpiece. You’ll get the biggest difference, especially with the nickel silver material.
If you’re a classical player seeking maximum “pop” in your articulation, try this cup—it delivers a clear, distinct sound even within slurred passages.By
choosing the brass version, you can maintain a completely uniform blend within your section. With the bronze version, you’ll regain the warmth and tonal range that were lacking compared to the L cup, while enhancing the reliability and security of your sound.
Have you ever wanted a sound that’s brilliant and beautiful—soft yet full-bodied? You’ll want to achieve that “Wow!” factor with dazzlingly brilliant high-note phrases—something the C-cup can’t deliver—while maintaining ample richness and fullness across the entire range… This mouthpiece makes it possible. You’ll truly appreciate the value of this mouthpiece when you realize just how effortless playing in the high register has become.It’s perfect for classical players seeking a slightly
juicier sound when performing pieces like *West Side Story*, as well as for anyone who wants to play the piccolo with ease. It’s also ideal for trumpet heroes or when you want to stand out in a second-line parade on the streets of New Orleans.
It’s also ideal for reed players accustomed to shallower cups who want to add depth to their sound—without losing that beautiful brilliance—during solos or in parts that call for a mellow tone. The backbore is designed to produce an even fuller tone; while it’s nearly as shallow as a D cup, it delivers a sound similar to that of a C cup.
Since this cup marks a crossroads among cups with various tonal characteristics, we’ve prepared three different materials. Nickel silver enhances the brilliance, bronze adds warmth and richness for an even deeper sound, and brass falls somewhere in between.
Unlike the versatile M Cup, the M2 has only one purpose! Everyone calls it the “Killer.”
This new model was designed to replace the M Cup and meet the demands of players seeking a more fiery, aggressive sound. It is specifically intended for reed, studio, and commercial performances. Compared to the M Cup, this mouthpiece is slightly shallower, has a slightly tighter throat, features a different backbore design, and is available exclusively in nickel silver—all of which make this mouthpiece more powerful.
While it sounds closer to a reed mouthpiece than the M Cup, it offers more volume than a typical reed cup, making it ideal for players who struggle with reed mouthpieces. It’s perfect for playing high-note ballads in big bands, as well as pieces that require low and mid-range tones.Compared to standard reed mouthpieces, it offers richer nuances, allowing you to produce a more musical lead
sound within a band. It’s also an excellent tool for performing pop and commercial music. Whether you need clear, full-bodied articulation like an armor-piercing bullet or the ability to hit difficult phrases with precision… if this kind of performance is part of your job, give it a try. This is the mouthpiece you’ve been looking for.
Do you know that old saying? “The ultimate reed mouthpiece! It expands your range. It produces a wonderful, big sound!” While the
word “ultimate” is highly subjective, this mouthpiece might be the closest thing to it. Despite its shallow
cup, this mouthpiece produces an astonishingly rich tone across a wide range, from the high register down to low F#. This is the kind of reed mouthpiece that many people want to hear…Each note sparkles like fireworks, yet the sound remains robust. The true brilliance of this mouthpiece is its ability
to produce a crystal-clear tone during reed passages or high-register solos, even in gentle passages. That is, until you floor the accelerator and turn into a flamethrower. The sheer volume of that sound will have your bandmates cheering with delight. Be prepared!
An extremely shallow cup and laser-beam-like focus
For players who know how to handle a small sports car like this, there’s nothing more fun than playing with the Extreme Reed. You can even use it for extremely grueling gigs, like playing salsa for over three hours. (It might feel like you’re cheating, but don’t worry—you’re making a smart choice!)
While the S cup can still produce a beautiful sound, the XS cup says, “To hell with beauty! This is war!” In the
battle between human limits and a sound like an indestructible high-note machine, this mouthpiece gives you the best shot at victory.
By unleashing fire at mezzo-forte, it demonstrates astonishing endurance. Just leave the volume to the mic. Anyone standing in front of the bell might be out of luck—when you blow into it at forte, they’ll take a hit like being sprayed by a shotgun!
Be warned—this mouthpiece is addictive!
Extremely Deep
Flugelhorn Cup If you’re looking for the richest, darkest, and creamiest flugelhorn sound, look no further. This is exactly what flugelhorn soloists have been dreaming of. It draws a whole new level of depth and richness from high-end horns and breathes new life into even inexpensive instruments you might have neglected since your student days.
With conventional deep cups, the upper register tends to be very flat, and some players may have found their “High C” hanging nearly a half-step low. As a result, you were likely forced into an unfortunate choice: either struggle to control it or simply avoid playing high notes altogether. However, with this cup, that’s absolutely no problem at all. High notes like High C and D are easily in tune, and players with the technique and motivation can produce even higher notes.
This mouthpiece is nothing short of magical… Never before has there been a mouthpiece that offers such a deep cup, such a expansive sound, and such uncompromising intonation. It also features the innovative option to choose your preferred tone—brass or bronze!
Standard-Depth Flugelhorn Cup
This mouthpiece delivers what many consider the quintessential, classic flugelhorn sound, suitable for everything from wind ensemble to jazz and classical solos. It’s an optimized version of the cup style you’re all so familiar with.
The major difference is that it accurately reproduces the pitch you desire across the entire range. You can achieve a rich, buttery tone and surprisingly easy intonation even in the high register. You can choose between a
more traditional sound with the brass version or a more modern, dense tone with the bronze version.
*Comparison
Chart: (Available in rim sizes 1, 2, 3, 7 in Brass, Bronze, or Nickel Silver)
1L2 = Bach 1 1/2C, GR 66.8L/66.9/67L, Monette B3-S3, Reeves 43.5C692, Schilke 15C, Warburton 3MC, Yamaha 15B4
2L2 = Bach 3C, GR 3M/66M, Monette B4S2, Reeves 43C692, Schilke 14C, Warburton 4MD, Yamaha 14C4/Bobby Shew Jazz
3L2 = Bach 5C, GR 65MX, Monette B6S1, Reeves 42C692, Schilke 13C, Warburton 5MC, Yamaha 13C4
7L2 = Bach 7C, GR 64MX, Monette B7F, Reeves 41C692, Schilke 11C, Yamaha 11C4-7C
Let’s find the rim size that most closely matches the mouthpiece you’re currently using
We offer four rim sizes. For players accustomed to playing with Bach-style rims in particular, these provide a very comfortable and familiar feel. Rather than a sharp
inner bite that compromises endurance or a flat rim that hinders articulation, these feature a mid-range shape that allows you to feel comfort and beauty the moment you place them against your lips.
Many manufacturers publish their own charts showing equivalents to Bach. To provide a simple reference for players, we’ve also compiled a table of Bach equivalents and listed model names from several manufacturers.
- LOTUS1 -
(17.12 mm / 0.67")
Bach 1 - 1¼
Monette B2
Schilke 14
Yamaha 17
Warburton 3
- LOTUS2 -
(16.85 mm / 0.66")
Bach 1½ - 2
, Monette B3/B4
, Schilke 13
, Yamaha 16
, Warburton 4
- LOTUS3 -
(16.6 mm / 0.65")
Bach 3,
Monette B6
, Schilke 11
, Yamaha 14
, Warburton 5
- LOTUS7 -
(16.3mm / 0.64")
Bach 7 - 10½, Monette MF / BL2
, Schilke 6
, Yamaha 11
, Warburton 7
However, these should be considered merely as a reference. It’s best not to place too much emphasis on the inner diameter measurements provided by each manufacturer. Since there is no standardized system, these measurements lack accuracy. The fit against the lip varies significantly depending on the rim’s contour, and there are factors that cannot be determined by measurements alone.
If you’re unsure which rim size to choose, try two different sizes—you’re sure to find the perfect fit.
