TromboneChat

I have a student that has been playing on a Besson Euphonium with a small shank 6.5al. The small shank doesn't truly fit into the horn, but the student can make a sound. So surely a large shank mouthpiece would fit. Well I show up today with a Yamaha 48L (it's the only large shank I have) and to my surprise it barely fit into the receiver.

Any idea what's going on here? There's not a special euphonium shank is there? In all my time I've never heard or seen this happen. I didn't see a model on the horn, but I'll attach some photos so we can hopefully get to the bottom of this.

There is something called a "Medium" shank that was used on some European instruments. It's larger than a small shank and smaller than a large shank. Wick makes special mouthpieces with the designation M (also a Y for the Yamaha YEP-321). You can also find an adapter that fits a small shank mouthpiece and the medium receiver.

Depends on where you put it. That first one you show needs to be put in the sink with a scrub brush, a bottle of hydrogen peroxide, nine pounds of Comet and a barf bag. Jeezis, that's revolting. Take the gunk off the rim and put it on the shank and you could fit it in the big hole on top.

As Bruce said, there sure is an in between "medium" shank size used by this era of Besson euphoniums, and also the Willson 2900 euphonium. It's not THAT uncommon.

A Wick 6BM will get your student in the right direction and produce a great tone, provided they like the rim shape.

hyperbolica wrote: ↑Mon Oct 21, 2024 2:12 pm Depends on where you put it. That first one you show needs to be put in the sink with a scrub brush, a bottle of hydrogen peroxide, nine pounds of Comet and a barf bag. Jeezis, that's revolting. Take the gunk off the rim and put it on the shank and you could fit it in the big hole on top.

Hahahahahahaha! Excellent description. When he handed me his mouthpiece I looked at it and just said, "gross...you need to clean this."

BGuttman wrote: ↑Mon Oct 21, 2024 2:08 pm There is something called a "Medium" shank that was used on some European instruments. It's larger than a small shank and smaller than a large shank. Wick makes special mouthpieces with the designation M (also a Y for the Yamaha YEP-321). You can also find an adapter that fits a small shank mouthpiece and the medium receiver.

You learn something new every day. Thanks!

Kelly makes 5G and 51D Lexan medium-shank mouthpieces, if cost is an issue.
https://www.kellymouthpieces.com/kmeuphonium/index.asp
Also a good choice for a student who is, shall we say, "less than conscientious".

A lot of European euphs take a medium shank. Doug Elliott offers shanks that fit them (6E or 6Es) I have one for my Amati oval euph. I'm a bit surprised to see a Besson with one, but I'm no expert.

The student would probably be well served by just having a large shank receiver put on it.

Older Bessons have the medium shank receiver.
From the picture I'd also say "gross...you need to clean this." But also that it's not really much bigger than a small shank. Not quite as big as a medium shank.

It would be no problem for me to make a shank to fit properly, but as JohnL said, you could get a Kelly 5G medium shank very cheaply.

Doug Elliott wrote: ↑Mon Oct 21, 2024 7:17 pm But also that it's not really much bigger than a small shank. Not quite as big as a medium shank.

Maybe the leadpipe is just as gross as the mouthpiece?

When I first got my 1924 Buescher tuba it took me three thorough cleanings of the receiver and leadpipe before it was fully open and clean. The guy I bought it from had been using a ancient bass trombone (large shank) mouthpiece in it, and the residue was so caked up and solid that it appeared to be the correct fit (to him anyway). In fact, the receiver was for a European "small shank" tuba mouthpiece (Wick offers this in several models), which apparently was the common size for those Eb tubas in the early 20th century. Once the receiver was totally clean, that bass trombone shank rattled around in it. After struggling with some different mouthpieces for several years, I replaced the receiver with a standard US size one. It was a good improvement and opened up a world of opportunities for mouthpieces -- though I discovered that the horn seems to like the Kelly 25 just fine.

Alright, so I've discussed it with both the family and band director and it sounds like the school is going to be purchasing a mouthpiece for this horn. What brands makes medium shank mouthpieces?

Denis Wick probably would be fine for the student, but am curious if there are any other options.

Schilke makes them.

Klier
Doug Elliott (kinda pricey for this)

As has been mentioned, Kelly

Or just get the adapter.

Wick SM5M, SM4M, 4AM would be the best choice IMO.

It looks as though the Kelly medium shank is offered only in their stainless steel version -- which is a bit pricey at $161. The Wick 4AM would be an excellent way to go and can be had for $84.

ghmerrill wrote: ↑Wed Oct 23, 2024 7:29 am It looks as though the Kelly medium shank is offered only in their stainless steel version -- which is a bit pricey at $161. The Wick 4AM would be an excellent way to go and can be had for $84.

Lexan, too. I have a medium 51D.
https://www.kellymouthpieces.com/kmeuphonium/index.asp