JK bass trombone mouthpieces

[Ismael]

Hi everyone. I recently bought a German JK 03AK bass trombone mouthpiece, the rim is 29.5mm and the bore is 8.mm. The cup is extremely deep. The sound of this mouthpiece is incredible and the articulation is not bad at all but it could be better. I am thinking of buying the JK 03BK, it is the same 29.50mm rim but the bore is 7.6mm. And the cup is very deep (not extremely deep) I think it can be more efficient for the articulation without losing other characteristics of the JK 03AK. What I still like the most is the price of about $70. I also know that they are available in a megatone version through special order.

Does anyone here play or have experience with this brand?
Thank you

[BGuttman]

Moved to Mouthpieces. Does not belong in Announcements.

[RustBeltBass]

Hi, I never played the 03AK, but throughout the years I played the 02AK and the 01AK plenty. Also played the BK series at some point but was not AS impressed. I have a Megatone 01AK and a Megatone 02AK, which is pretty awesome. What makes JK more "playable" than other German traditional makers is that they offer sizes that are a bit closer to US makers, such as the AK.

I am never sure what to think of the normal Exclusive series, I love the resonance in almost the entire range. But when it really gets loud and low, I think the Megatone just is easier to play.

[Ismael]

Totally agree with you. I would love to try JK's megaton series. But I wonder if it can make me tired during long periods of concerts or studying, since having more mass needs more air. The JK exclusive series impresses by being so economical, but effective in terms of sound and articulation. I'll try to try the megatone series.

[Finetales]

I have a Josef Klier 01CK horn mouthpiece and 4C trumpet mouthpiece, both of which are very good. Never tried their trombone pieces, though I'd be curious to see how they play.

[Bach5G]

I’ll be in Germany (Munich, Dresden, Berlin) later this year. Can anyone suggest some stores I can visit where I can buy a JK bass trombone mouthpiece?

[Nomsis]

I’ll be in Germany (Munich, Dresden, Berlin) later this year. Can anyone suggest some stores I can visit where I can buy a JK bass trombone mouthpiece?

I can't recommend you a specific shop in those cities but the JK mouthpieces are very widely available, in Germany almost any (brass) music shop sells them. Their website lists some shops in all three cities you will be in: https://www.jk-klier.de/en-gb/h%C3%A4ndler

Just make sure in advance of your visit that they have the pieces in stock you are interested in.

Probably the best idea though would be to make an appointment and go visit them in Diespeck where the factory is located, it is not too far away from the cities you will visit. I have not visited them myself because I usually shop the mouthpieces second hand but have only heard good about this, it should be easy to get some special orders/modifications made directly to your request I think: https://www.jk-klier.de/en/b/custom-shop

[bassclef]

I’ll be in Germany (Munich, Dresden, Berlin) later this year. Can anyone suggest some stores I can visit where I can buy a JK bass trombone mouthpiece?

I don't know where in Germany Thomann is located, or if they even have a retail space, but they always seem to have almost all variations of JK mouthpieces in stock. I just bought a JK tuba mouth piece from them.

[Finetales]

Thomann has a good selection, but FMB has the entire line.

[Bach5G]

Thomann has a good selection, but FMB has the entire line.

FMB?

[Finetales]

Thomann has a good selection, but FMB has the entire line.

FMB?

That's the name of the store, you can see at the link.

[Bach5G]

Thanks. I didn’t see the link.

[jonathanharker]

I really like my JK contra mouthpiece, the KBP 2A. I find I use the Ferguson 2A instead though, which as far as I can tell is the same thing in a chunkier blank. I play a Minick (Ferguson) LS on bass which is not far from your 03BK, very deep funnel 29mm, 7.6mm throat but in a chunkier blank and good (not narrow) rim. Great mouthpiece.