AR RESONANCE

【About the AR RESONANCE Mouthpiece】

You don't need to spend time "getting used to" a new mouthpiece.

When we began developing the AR RESONANCE mouthpiece, we aimed to create a mouthpiece that produces the finest sound while being exceptionally easy to play.
The fundamental concept behind all AR mouthpieces is to provide the level of back pressure (≈ resistance) and harmonic expansion demanded by the player's physique and skill level.

Through interacting with various players, we concluded that a mouthpiece should not impose a "this is how you should play" approach.
It is not about the player getting used to our mouthpiece, but about providing the best solution that the player feels is correct.

 

From piccolo trumpets to tubas, hundreds of rim, cup, bore, weight, shape, material, and finish options are available.
These mouthpieces are designed to achieve a more holistic balance in response to the player's physical and mental approach.
Players who have tried the AR mouthpiece report experiencing a more focused tone, smoother transitions across the entire range, and faster response.

Be sure to find a mouthpiece that fits you perfectly and experience it for yourself.

Trumpet

How to Choose a Cup

☆Point

・The rim shape is consistent across all cups. Changing the cup depth does not cause any discomfort.

・The rim shape offers a slightly softer feel than Bach mouthpieces. Bach users in particular should find it comfortable.

・There are wide rim and flat rim options. Wide rims are wide and slightly rounded like Bob Reeves or Jardiner, while flat rims are flat like Silky. Most people prefer the normal rim, so it's best to try the standard type first.

 

●Size

VL (equivalent to Bach No. 1)
L (equivalent to Bach 1-1/4)
ML (equivalent to Bach No. 1-1/2)
M (equivalent to Bach No. 3)
MS (equivalent to Bach No. 7)
S (equivalent to Bach No. 10-1/2)
VS (equivalent to Bach No. 15)
XS (equivalent to Bach No. 18)

For those using mouthpieces other than BackThis tablePlease see.

●Depth
A: Very deep. For rotary trumpets.
B: Deep. For experienced classical musicians.
C: Moderation.
D: Slightly shallower. Delivers a rich sound akin to a C cup, but recommended for those who desire more high-frequency support.
E: Not quite as shallow as a lead cup, but still shallow.
Lead: Shallow. Standard lead cup.
Lead Plus: For lead players who demand hard work.
The rim shape is consistent across all cups. Changing the cup depth does not cause any discomfort.

C is the most standard cup, and most people who normally use a medium cup try this one first.

In contrast, B produces a softer sound, yet excels in high-frequency response despite its deeper cup. Conversely, the slightly shallower D yields a brighter sound, though not to the point of being unusable in wind ensembles. When an all-around performance across the mid to high registers is required, this cup will undoubtedly aid your playing.

Additionally, the E-Lead Plus depth is popular among big band lead players. For those using shallower cups, many find that "while the E excels in high-register responsiveness, it still offers ample depth."

As a comparison of depth that is often asked about, the D cup is slightly deeper than the Bob Reeves M cup, and the Lead Plus cup is equivalent to the ES cup.

 

 

●Material

There are seven types: brass, bronze, buffalo, titanium, stainless steel, damascus steel, and nickel.
When in doubt, brass is preferred; for a tight, rich sound, bronze is favored.

[Brass]The most commonly used and familiar material for modern mouthpieces. It offers a responsive feel and a flexible tone.

[Bronze]This model, crafted from bronze, is a material as popular as brass. It's lively and responsive, a material that "sounds great." The tone is rich and full, adding stability.

[Buffalo]Water buffalo horn is a remarkably lightweight material with a quick response. Played softly, it produces a warm, wood-like sound; blown with force, it yields a bright, crisp tone.

[Titanium]Compared to brass, it offers a wider dynamic range and distinct sound directionality. It's also a good option for those with metal allergies.

[Stainless Steel]Characterized by a slow response and muffled articulation. Its dead sound suits acoustic settings like jazz combos and possesses a distinctive character.

[Damascus Steel]The sound is similar to the stainless steel mentioned above. The distinctive pattern is created by combining two materials of different hardness. While the price is high, it is undoubtedly a material you won't find anywhere else.

[Nickel] Offers responsive, directional sound. Its clear sound contouring makes it ideal for pairing with shallower cups.

 

How to Choose a Back Boar

The two-piece design plays a crucial role in controlling the feel and sound of playing, such as the spread of the sound and the way air enters. Its greatest advantage is how easy it is to choose the one that fits you best.

The tighter the fit, the more direct the sound becomes, and the more resistance you feel. The more open the fit, the better the airflow, tending to bring spaciousness and brightness to the sound.

Generally, a tight back bore is often paired with a shallow cup, while an open back bore is typically matched with a medium to deep cup. However, some players prefer the exact opposite setup based on their desired sound and preferred playing feel.

●Types of Back Bores
For AR, we offer five back widths from tightest to widest: LEAD, XS, S, M, and L.

Our most popular backbores are the S and M models. The M backbore offers a well-balanced experience of the AR mouthpiece's pitch, sound, and control. The S backbore provides a slightly more compact playing feel, yet remains popular for its minimal transition discomfort when switching from a standard mouthpiece.

In addition, two types of backbores exist: the Classical M and the Classical L. While not exclusively for classical music, their internal shapes have been meticulously modified to produce a clear articulation and dense sound, making them highly popular among wind ensemble and orchestra players.

While there is a difference in resistance compared to the standard model, those who prefer the S back bore tend to choose the Classical M, while those who prefer the M back bore tend to choose the Classical L.

 

【Other】

●Throat size
You can choose between the 40 (#21) and 42 (#19) throats. Most sold domestically feature the 40 throat, so we recommend trying this one first. You can select separately for the top and back bores, and generally use the same size for both.

●Weight
There are four types: Standard, Medium, Bullet, and Heavy. The Bullet and Heavy types also feature a heavy top to achieve balance. If you use a standard-weight instrument, starting with the Standard will allow you to fully appreciate the AR mouthpiece's outstanding qualities. All types other than Standard are essentially custom-made, so please feel free to inquire.

StandardAR RESONANCE's bestseller.

MediumThe top is standard weight, but the back bore is slightly heavier. This provides greater volume and enhanced stability.

Bullet: The top also uses heavyweight material and features a bullet-shaped back bore. While heavier, it remains compatible with many trumpets. It produces a dark sound with increased stability, but requires significant energy to play.

HeavyHeavyweight top and straight-type heavy back bore. Due to its considerable weight, it is not recommended for use with standard instruments. Suitable for instruments such as Adams, Monette, and Taylor, but please note that shank thicknesses may vary, so take care when ordering.

Flügel

☆Point

・The rim shape is consistent across all cups. Changing the cup depth does not cause any discomfort.

・The rim shape offers a slightly softer feel than Bach mouthpieces. Bach users in particular should find it comfortable.

・There are wide rim and flat rim options. Wide rims are wide and slightly rounded like Bob Reeves or Jardiner, while flat rims are flat like Silky. Most people prefer the normal rim, so it's best to try the standard type first.

 

●Size
VL (equivalent to Bach No. 1)
L (equivalent to Bach 1-1/4)
ML (equivalent to Bach No. 1-1/2)
M (equivalent to Bach No. 3)
MS (equivalent to Bach No. 7)
S (equivalent to Bach No. 10-1/2)
VS (equivalent to Bach No. 15)
XS (equivalent to Bach No. 18)

For those using mouthpieces other than BackThis tablePlease see.

●Depth
Deep: Equivalent depth to Dennis Wick
Medium: Equivalent depth to Yamaha
Shallow: Same depth as the back

●Material
There are seven types: brass, bronze, buffalo, titanium, stainless steel, damascus steel, and nickel.
Brass or buffalo are popular for achieving a warm sound.

[Brass]The most commonly used and familiar material for modern mouthpieces. It offers a responsive feel and a flexible tone.

[Bronze]This model, crafted from bronze, is a material as popular as brass. It's lively and responsive, a material that "sounds great." The tone is rich and full, adding stability.

[Buffalo]Water buffalo horn is a remarkably lightweight material with a quick response. Played softly, it produces a warm, wood-like sound; blown with force, it yields a bright, crisp tone.

[Titanium]Compared to brass, it offers a wider dynamic range and distinct sound directionality. It's also a good option for those with metal allergies.

[Stainless Steel]Characterized by a slow response and muffled articulation. Its dead sound suits acoustic settings like jazz combos and possesses a distinctive character.

[Damascus Steel]The sound is similar to the stainless steel mentioned above. The distinctive pattern is created by combining two materials of different hardness. While the price is high, it is undoubtedly a material you won't find anywhere else.

[Nickel]Responsive and directional sound. Its clear sound contours make it well-suited for pairing with shallow cups.

 

 

●Material
There are seven types: brass, bronze, buffalo, titanium, stainless steel, damascus steel, and nickel.
When in doubt, brass is preferred; for a tight, rich sound, bronze is favored.

[Brass]The most commonly used and familiar material for modern mouthpieces. It offers a responsive feel and a flexible tone.

[Bronze]This model, crafted from bronze, is a material as popular as brass. It's lively and responsive, a material that "sounds great." The tone is rich and full, adding stability.

[Buffalo]Water buffalo horn is a remarkably lightweight material with a quick response. Played softly, it produces a warm, wood-like sound; blown with force, it yields a bright, crisp tone.

[Titanium]Compared to brass, it offers a wider dynamic range and distinct sound directionality. It's also a good option for those with metal allergies.

[Stainless Steel]Characterized by a slow response and muffled articulation. Its dead sound suits acoustic settings like jazz combos and possesses a distinctive character.

[Damascus Steel]The sound is similar to the stainless steel mentioned above. The distinctive pattern is created by combining two materials of different hardness. While the price is high, it is undoubtedly a material you won't find anywhere else.

[Nickel] Offers responsive, directional sound. Its clear sound contouring makes it ideal for pairing with shallower cups.

 

How to Choose a Back Boar

The two-piece design plays a crucial role in controlling the feel and sound of playing, such as the spread of the sound and the way air enters. Its greatest advantage is how easy it is to choose the one that fits you best.

The tighter the fit, the more direct the sound becomes, and the more resistance you feel. The more open the fit, the better the airflow, tending to bring spaciousness and brightness to the sound.

 

●Types of Back Bores
We offer three sizes of backbores: S, M, and L.

Each comes with a Back (Small) Shank, Yamaha (Large) Shank, and Kenon (Straight) Shank.

【Other】

●Throat size
You can choose between the 42 (#19) and 46 (#14) throat sizes. Most sold domestically feature the 42 throat, so we recommend trying this size first. If you desire a deep cup with the soft sound of British brass, the 46 throat is also recommended. You can select the top and back bore separately, but generally use the same size for both.