AR RESONANCE

—No need to spend time “getting used to” a new mouthpiece

When we first began crafting AR RESONANCE mouthpieces, our goal was to create a mouthpiece that “delivers the best possible sound while remaining extremely easy to play.” The fundamental concept behind every AR mouthpiece is to provide the level of back pressure (i.e.,
resistance) and harmonic range that a player’s physique and skill level require.

Through our interactions with a wide variety of players, we came to the conclusion that a mouthpiece should not impose restrictions on how a player “should” play; rather
than requiring the player to adapt to our mouthpiece, we aim to provide the best solution that feels right to the player.

From the piccolo trumpet to the tuba, we offer hundreds of variations in rim, cup, backbore, weight, shape, material, and finish.

These mouthpieces are designed to achieve a more holistic balance in response to the player’s physical and mental approach. Players who have tried AR mouthpieces report a sound with core, smooth transitions across the entire range, and faster response.

We invite you to find the mouthpiece that’s right for you and experience it for yourself.

● Sizes

VL (equivalent to Bach No. 1)
L (equivalent to Bach No. 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)

If you use a mouthpiece other than a Bach, please refer to this chart.

● Depth
A: Very deep. For rotary
trumpets. B: Deep.For experienced classical players.
C: Medium.
D: Slightly shallow. For players who want the rich sound of a C cup but need support in the high register.
E: Shallow, though not as shallow as a Lead cup.
Lead: Shallow. A standard Lead cup.
Lead Plus: For lead players who need to work hard. The
rim shape is the same for all cups. Changing the cup depth feels natural.

C is the most standard cup; most players who usually use a medium-depth cup try this one first.

In contrast, the B cup produces a softer sound but offers excellent high-register response despite its deeper profile. Conversely, the slightly shallower D cup produces a brighter sound, though it is by no means unsuitable for use in wind ensembles. If you need to handle the mid to high registers in an all-around manner, this cup will undoubtedly support your playing.

Additionally, the E to Lead Plus depths are popular among big band lead players. For those accustomed to shallower cups, many find that “the E offers excellent high-range response while still providing ample depth.”

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

● Materials

There are seven types of materials available: brass, bronze, buffalo, titanium, stainless steel, damask steel, and nickel. If
you’re unsure, brass is a safe choice; if you’re looking for a tight, full-bodied sound, bronze is preferred.

[Brass] This is the most commonly used material in modern mouthpieces and is a familiar choice. It offers a light, responsive feel and a versatile tone.

[Bronze] Made of phosphor bronze, this model is just as popular as brass. It’s a lively material with a quick response that “projects” well. The sound has depth and offers greater stability.

[Buffalo Horn]—Refers to water buffalo horn; it is a very lightweight material with a quick response. When played gently, it produces a warm, wood-like sound, while playing with more force yields a bright, crisp sound. [Titanium]

—Compared to brass, it offers a wider dynamic range and a clearly defined sound projection. It is also a good option for those with metal allergies.

[Stainless Steel] It has a slow response and is characterized by a muffled articulation. Its “dead” sound is well-suited for acoustic settings like jazz combos and has a distinctive character.

[Damascus Steel] The sound is similar to that of stainless steel. Its distinctive pattern is created by combining two materials of different hardnesses. Although it is expensive, it is undoubtedly a material you won’t find anywhere else.

[Nickel] Offers good response and a highly directional sound. Since it produces a clearly defined sound contour, it pairs well with shallower cups.

It plays a crucial role in controlling the playing feel and sound, such as the sound’s spread and how well the air flows. The biggest advantage of a two-piece design is that it makes it easier to choose the one that suits you best.

The tighter the backbore, the more direct the sound becomes, and the greater the resistance. The more open the backbore, the easier it is to project your breath, and the sound tends to have greater spaciousness and brightness.

Generally, a tight backbore is often paired with a shallower cup, while an open backbore is paired with a medium to deeper cup; however, depending on the desired sound and preferred playing feel, some players may prefer the exact opposite setup.

● Types of Backbores
: AR offers five types of backbores, ranging from tight to open: LEAD, XS, S, M, and L.

At our store, the S and M backbores are the most popular. The M backbore is a model that allows you to experience a well-balanced combination of the AR mouthpiece’s excellent pitch, sound, and control. The S backbore offers a slightly more compact playing feel, but it’s popular because it feels natural for players transitioning from standard mouthpieces.

In addition, there are two other backbore types: Classical M and Classical L. While they are by no means exclusively for classical music, subtle modifications to their internal shape produce a clear articulation and a dense sound, making them very popular among concert band and orchestra players.

Although there is a difference in resistance compared to the standard model, players who prefer the S backbore tend to choose the Classical M, while those who prefer the M backbore tend to choose the Classical L.

● You can choose between throat sizes 40
(#21) and 42 (#19). Most models sold in Japan feature a 40 throat, so it’s best to try this size first. You can select the throat size for both the top and the backbore, and generally, you’ll use the same size for both.

● There are four weight options
: Standard, Medium, Bullet, and Heavy. For the Bullet and Heavy options, the top is also a heavy weight to maintain balance. If you typically play an instrument with a standard weight, starting with the Standard option will allow you to fully appreciate the outstanding qualities of the AR mouthpiece. Options other than Standard are generally custom-made, so please feel free to consult with us.

Standard: AR RESONANCE’s best-seller.

Medium: The top section is of standard weight, but the backbore is slightly heavier. This provides greater volume and stability.

Bullet: Features a heavyweight top and a bullet-shaped backbore. Although on the heavier side, it’s still compatible with many trumpets. It produces a dark tone and offers increased stability, but requires a significant amount of energy to play.

Heavy: Features a heavyweight top and a heavy, straight-type backbore. Because it is very heavy, we do not recommend pairing it with standard instruments. It is suitable for instruments such as Adams, Monette, and Taylor, but please note that shank thicknesses may vary, so please be careful when ordering.

● Sizes
: VL (equivalent to Bach No. 1),
L (equivalent to Bach No. 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)

If you use a mouthpiece other than a Bach, please refer to this chart.

● Depth
: Deep
—equivalent to Dennis Wick; Medium—equivalent to Yamaha; Shallow
—equivalent to Bach

● Materials
: There are seven types: brass, bronze, buffalo horn, titanium, stainless steel, Damascus steel, and nickel.
Brass and buffalo horn—which produces a warm sound—are popular choices.

[Brass] The most commonly used material in modern mouthpieces and a familiar choice. It offers a light, responsive feel and a versatile tone.

[Bronze] Made of phosphor bronze, this material is just as popular as brass. It’s lively, responsive, and “projects” well. The sound has depth and offers greater stability.

[Buffalo Horn] This refers to water buffalo horn, a very lightweight material with a quick response. When played gently, it produces a warm, wood-like sound; when played with more force, it produces a bright, crisp sound.

[Titanium] Compared to brass, it offers a wider dynamic range and a clearly defined sound projection. It’s also a good option for those with metal allergies.

[Stainless Steel] It has a slow response and is characterized by a muffled articulation. Its “dead” sound is well-suited for acoustic settings like jazz combos and has a distinctive character.

[Damascus Steel] The sound is similar to that of stainless steel. Its distinctive pattern is created by combining two materials of different hardnesses. Although it is expensive, it is undoubtedly a material you won’t find anywhere else.

[Nickel] Offers good response and a highly directional sound. Because it produces a clearly defined sound contour, it pairs well with shallower cups.

● Materials
: There are seven types: brass, bronze, buffalo horn, titanium, stainless steel, Damascus steel, and nickel. If you’re unsure
, brass is a safe choice; if you’re looking for a tight, full-bodied sound, bronze is preferred.

[Brass]—The most commonly used material in modern mouthpieces, it’s a familiar choice. It offers a light, responsive feel and a flexible tone.

[Bronze] Made from phosphor bronze, this material is just as popular as brass. It’s lively, quick to respond, and “resonant.” The sound has depth and offers greater stability.

[Buffalo Horn]—Refers to water buffalo horn; it is a very lightweight material with a quick response. When played gently, it produces a warm, wood-like sound; when played with more force, it produces a bright, crisp sound. [Titanium]

—Compared to brass, it offers a wider dynamic range and a clearly defined sound projection. It is also a good option for those with metal allergies.

[Stainless Steel] It has a slow response and is characterized by a muffled articulation. Its “dead” sound is well-suited for acoustic settings like jazz combos and has a distinctive character.

[Damascus Steel] The sound is similar to that of stainless steel. Its distinctive pattern is created by combining two materials of different hardnesses. Although it is expensive, it is undoubtedly a material you won’t find anywhere else.

[Nickel] Offers good response and a highly directional sound. Because it produces clearly defined sound contours, it pairs well with shallower cups.

It plays a crucial role in controlling the playing feel and sound, such as the sound’s projection and airflow. The biggest advantage of a two-piece design is that it makes it easier to choose the one that suits you best.

The tighter the backbore, the more direct the sound becomes, and the greater the resistance. The more open the backbore, the easier it is to produce sound, and the sound tends to have more spaciousness and brightness.

● Types
of Backbores We offer three types of backbores: S, M, and L.

Each is available with a Back (Small) Shank, Yamaha (Large) Shank, or Kenon (Straight) Shank.

● Throat Size
You can choose between 42 (#19) and 46 (#14) throats. Most models sold in Japan feature a 42 throat, so it’s best to try this one first. If you’re looking for a deep cup with the soft sound of British brass, the 46 throat is also recommended. You can select the throat size for both the top and backbore, and generally, you’ll use the same size for both.