HARRY'S CUSTOM
MOUTHPIECES
Rim Profile Options
All of Harry’s Custom Mouthpieces can be made with your choice of our five different rim profiles as standard, and each alto or tenor mouthpiece can be made in seven standard sizes, from size “0” to size “6”. The size number equates to the inner rim diameter in hundredths of an inch, as measured from a depth of 0.054 inches from the rim’s high point. So a size “0” is zero hundredths of an inch over one inch, and is therefore 1.00″. Size “1” is one hundredth of an inch over one inch, and is therefore 1.01″.
The rim option chosen is expressed with the numbered size, followed by the letter designation of the rim profile. So, an L1 mouthpiece with a 1.04″ rim inner diameter, with the narrow rim profile will be engraved as: L1 4N
What does this all mean for you? Well, this means that any of our alto and tenor base mouthpiece designs (L1, A1, A2, etc) is available in 35 configurations each, as standard. You can fine tune your mouthpiece to feel exactly as you want on your face without impacting the overall performance of my base mouthpiece design (what’s “under the hood”, so to speak).
The descriptions of each rim profile describe the intention of the design as it applies to playing characteristics. Every player is different, and the described playing characteristics are not guaranteed for every player. This variety of options exists for that very purpose — so that musicians can find equipment that works for them.
Regular Rim Profile (Unlettered)
My standard rim profile is extremely comfortable and relatively wide, as measured from inner rim diameter to outer rim diameter. It provides excellent stability which makes this profile particularly well suited for orchestral playing. The inner rim lip is well rounded, eliminating any uncomfortable pressure points on the embouchure. If in doubt about what profile to choose, I highly recommend this rim profile for all playing, on any of my alto, small-bore, or large-bore tenor mouthpieces.
Narrow Rim Profile (N)
The narrow version of my standard rim profile is extremely comfortable and keeps the same contours as the regular rim profile, just with an overall narrower outer dimension. It provides slightly more flexibility than the regular profile, and is sometimes the best option for my larger rim options, such as the 5 and 6 (1.05″ and 1.06″), and bass trombone sizes. The inner rim lip is well rounded, eliminating any uncomfortable pressure points on the embouchure. If you already use a “narrow” option from a different mouthpiece manufacturer, I highly recommend this rim profile.
Half-Round Profile (H)
The half-round profile is a specialty profile that combines the much rounder inner rim lip of the HW profile with a slightly less rounded, narrow outer rim diameter. This profile features an outer rim edge that is in-between the well-defined outer rim of the regular (Unlettered) / narrow (N) profiles (with well-defined outer rims) and the Half-Round Wide (HW) and Round (R) profiles, which lack a defined outer edge. This feature helps increase stability on the face and prevents corner leaks during altissimo playing, moreso than the HW and R profiles. Therefore, I recommend this rim profile specifically on my A-Series alto trombone mouthpieces, for players who otherwise prefer the HW profile.
It is, of course, an option for all of my mouthpieces, in any size, and is my preferred rim profile for all playing. The overall thickness of the rim is about the same as the narrow rim profile. This profile increases overall flexibility for the player, making octave slurs and lip trills easier to achieve. Because of the narrow thickness of the profile, the outer rim is slightly flatter than the HW to improve stability. As with the HW profile, the H profile will feel slightly wider than spec.
Half-Round Wide Profile (HW)
The half-round wide profile combines a much rounder inner rim lip with a gently rounded outer rim. The overall thickness of the rim is about the same as the regular rim profile. This profile increases overall flexibility for the player, making octave slurs and lip trills easier to achieve. The sense of being “locked in” to a note is not as great as with the regular rim profile, due to the absence of a well-defined outer rim. Because of the very rounded inner rim, this profile will feel wider than spec.
For the HW, H, and R profiles, I recommend using one size smaller than you usually would on the regular rim profile. For example, if using the regular or narrow (N) profiles, I prefer size “6” (1.06″), but when using the HW profile, I prefer size “5” (1.05″).
Round Profile (R)
The round profile is a specialty profile that combines the much rounder inner rim lip of the HW profile with a very round outer rim. Even though the outer rim dimension is technically wide, this profile is so rounded that it will feel narrow on your face. Of all my rim profiles, the R puts the least metal in contact on the face, and has no perceptible inner rim lip or defined outer rim edge. This profile greatly increases overall flexibility for the player, making octave slurs and lip trills much easier to achieve. As with the HW profile, the R profile will feel wider than the spec. For the HW, H, and R profiles, I recommend using one size smaller than you usually would on the regular rim profile.
—This profile is niche. For players with very strong fundamentals and embouchure control. Intended for solo playing. Please do not order a mouthpiece with this rim without consulting with Harry—
Visual Comparisons Between Profiles
Size “0” Regular Profile (white) vs. 5G Profile (gold)
The 1.00″ regular rim profile shown against the classic 5G profile. Inner rim is on the left side of the image. You can see that the typical 5G has more bite to the inner rim.
Size “1” Regular Profile (white) vs. 51D Profile (gold)
The 1.01″ regular rim profile shown against the classic 51D profile. Inner rim is on the left side of the image. You can see that the typical 51D has slightly more bite to the inner rim.
Size “0” Regular Profile (white) vs. 6 1/2 AL Profile (gold)
The 1.00″ regular rim profile shown against the classic 6 1/2 AL profile. Inner rim is on the left side of the image. You can see that the typical 6 1/2 AL mouthpiece has a more rounded outer rim that my regular profile.
Size “5” Regular Profile (purple) vs. Size “5N” Narrow Profile (green)
The 1.05″ regular rim profile shown against the 1.05″ narrow rim profile. Inner rim is on the left side of the image. These two profiles have the exact same inner rim shape, and the narrow version of the rim is the same profile that has simply been compressed.
Size “5” Regular Profile (purple) vs. Size “5HW” Half-Round Wide Profile (green)
The 1.05″ regular rim profile shown against the 1.05″ half-round wide rim profile. Inner rim is on the left side of the image. The HW profile has a rounder inner rim, and much rounder outer rim contour.
