Warburton Music Products

Concept of the Warburton System

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Did You Know?
All of the Precision Machined Warburton Trumpet Top Designs - including the signature models - are available in the following materials: Lexan Clear Plastic White Delrin Plastic Silver Plated Brass Gold Plated Brass
The Lexan models are preferred by many players for hot weather use because the Lexan is less prone to slide around on sweaty skin, whereas for cold weather use players like the temperature-neutral characteristics of the Delrin. And, of course, they all fit the Warburton backbore you already have!

The Warburton system lets you choose a combination of rim diameter, cup style and depth, with a backbore to best balance your sound and resistance. This flexibility means you can have the most efficient mouthpiece with which to perform in any given playing situation.

Our two-piece system consists of fully interchangeable "TOP" sections and "BACKBORE" sections. Due to the many demands placed upon the modern brass player, the variety of Warburton cup designs are able to produce the most desired sound in any playing idiom.

The backbore sizes compliment the cup designs and further assist in the refinement and "fine-tuning" of the sound. Consideration has been given even to the placement of the backbore into the receiver (amount of gap).

The Warburton system allows the player the opportunity to personally "balance" their equipment. This can now be accomplished without the necessity of traveling to a mouthpiece maker or waiting for a mail-order custom made piece that often does not work and cannot be exchanged.

Warburton backbores are available in thirteen standard sizes for Trumpet, Cornet, Schilke Piccolo Trumpet and Blackburn Piccolo Trumpet.

With many years of experience, the Warburton staff can assist you in choosing a mouthpiece well suited to your needs.

In addition to the Warburton component-based system, custom mouthpiece work is our specialty. We can modify any manufacturer's mouthpiece to work with Warburton components. Gold plating is available too.

How to choose the appropriate Warburton Mouthpiece

Note the size of the mouthpiece currently used and consult the Approximate Comparison Charts below to find the Warburton mouthpiece diameter that is the closest to the diameter of the present mouthpiece. This is a good place to start unless there is difficulty with the diameter size of the present mouthpiece (i.e. too large? or too small?). After choosing a comfortable diameter, try one diameter size up and down to confirm the diameter selection.

Select an intermediate size backbore (6 or 7). Note that at this point this backbore is for test purposes and is to be used to settle in on diameter and cup shape. Other backbores will be tested later to balance the sound.

Play various cup models of the chosen diameter according to performance needs and desired sound:

Desired Sound	Try these cups
Studio lead	ESV, ES, S, SV, or M
Piccolo sound	S, SV, or M
Brass quintet	M, MC, or MD
Orchestral	MC, MD, D, or XD

Repeat the same musical passage, such as a scale, and compare the changes in timbre and settle in on which sounds the best. Remember, compare sound, not technique.

Using the cup selected, try a tighter backbore (one with a lower number), then one that is more open (one with a higher number). There will be a noticeable difference in the way it blows as well as in the way it sounds. This will give you a good idea of which direction to move to find a backbore that will suit your needs. While the Star (*) series backbores may feel more free blowing, depending on the player, these backbores may not focus as well as the standard series. This will be a personal choice.

Once a combination has been selected, go back and confirm the cup selection and then play the original mouthpiece as a comparison. You and your listener will hear a difference and you will feel a difference.

Remember that different styles of music may require different equipment to achieve the appropriate sound for the job. So, change equipment to get the optimum sound, not the method of playing.

If you run into a situation during a fitting session that you need assistance with, remember that help is only a phone call away at 1-800-638-1950.

Note: It is a good idea to have a listener familiar with your sound, or one whose judgment you trust, present for the entire fitting session.

Top Specifications and Approximate Equivalents

Please Note: Differences in rim contour between manufacturers make exact comparisons impossible. However, these charts may help you to find an appropriate starting point. Please call us at the factory to discuss your specific needs. We are all brass players and are more than willing to assist you in your search for the best possible equipment.

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Trumpet Tops:

ES - "Extra Shallow" - otherwise similar to the S design.

ESV - Similar to the SV design with "V" style cup, but not as deep as the SV.

S - A shallow "bowl" shape. Preferred for lead playing and commercial work. Ideal for D, Eb and Piccolo trumpet.

SV - Medium shallow "V" style cup. This is an exceptional "high-velocity" cup for Piccolo trumpet and all upper register work.

M - Medium depth with a modified "V" style shape. Our M cups outsell all other models as they lend themselves well to all playing situations from jazz to symphonic.

MC - Medium "bowl" shape. The MC cups could be the ultimate in bright symphonic sound!

MD - Medium deep "bowl" shape cup that produces a rich, dark, symphonic sound.

D - Deep "bowl" shape. This cup shape produces the fullest of symphonic sound. It is ideal for the cornet parts with its warm sound.

XD - This extra deep "V" style cup was designed to give the traditional cornet sound. Herbert L. would be thrilled with this model.

W - Wide Rim Option - Any of the Trumpet, Cornet, or Flugelhorn tops can be ordered with the W rim option which provides an additional 0.020 inch (twenty-thousandths of an inch) of outside diameter for players accustomed to slightly wider/fatter rims. Note that the W option is not available with the Signature models.

Anchor Grip - We also offer the "Anchor Grip" Top option - click here to learn more about the Anchor Grip.

Signature Trumpet Tops:

ARTURO - Terry's CNC copy of Arturo Sandoval's 40 year old Bach Mt Vernon 3C.

SHOOP - (Chad Shoopman) - More info on the SHOOP model...

BWA (Brian Anderson) - Similar to Marcinkiewicz Ingram model, but with more room at top of cup. More info on the BWA model...

P. RODRIGUEZ (Pete Rodriguez) - Favors the 4MC cup, slightly deeper and more bowled. More info on the P. RODRIGUEZ model...

JH (Johnny Hodges) - Extra shallow bowl, #8 inside diameter, very defined "undercut". More info on the JH model...

New Product Alert - JLM Signature Trumpet Top:

JLM (Joenuel Lebron Millan) - Shallow lead cup, #4 cup diameter. More outer diameter than standard #4 rim. Joenuel uses our "NY" backbore with his JLM top. More info on the JLM model...

CK (Craig Konicek) - Shallow, with not much "undercut", comfortable, #5 diameter. 1.090" O.D.

CT (Chris Tedesco) - Based on Warburton 4SV, but with larger entrance into the throat 

ODNEAL - Very small diameter, wide rim.

WCC (Bill Carmichael) - A shallow cup with very small inside diameter. 1.090" Outside diameter

L AQUINO - This top is currently being played by top call Latin lead player Luis Aquino. He prefers the #5 backbore with this top for all his lead work. More info...

R.BIRCH - Personal top of Bob Birch. More info on the Bob Birch model...

KT (Ken Titmus) - Shallow V with a #6 inside diameter."Hammock" style rim slopes inward - no "undercut"

Trumpet Backbores:

1, 2, 3 - Our tightest commercial sounding backbores. These models have a concentrated and intense sound. The #3 is the most popular of this series. If offers a bright, projecting sound that is great for lead players and outdoor work.

4, 5, 6 - Tight to medium. With progressively less resistance, these models produce a bright and very projecting tone. The #5 is by far our most popular with strong lead players.

Q Backbore - New in 2004, the Q is our most aggressive backbore, preferred by lead players who also need to maintain dominance in the middle register without spreading or over-loosening their chops. More info on the Q backbore...

Qm Backbore - New in 2008, the Qm is a slight modification to the Q backbore. A modified taper in the venturi section slightly compresses the air column to increase velocity before releasing the air into the main body of the backbore. The result - An exciting commercial sound with an intense center.

New Product Alert - NY Backbore:

NY Backbore - This backbore was inspired by the sound of the old Giardinelli #3 (default) backbore made popular by Maynard and others in the '70's. The New York sound was broad, bright, and acoustically loud - which are also the qualities of this backbore. Resistance is just a bit tighter than our #5.

"Just when I told Ken the "Qm" backbore was permanently attached to my 4M top, he said "You may want to try this New York (NY) backbore first." It didn't take me long to realize how efficient this backbore was. There was more center, more core, more volume, and I don't mean loudness, although there was plenty of that, too. In short, it enhanced all the best qualities of the instrument without sacrificing anything. It instilled confidence. As a side note, I noticed in the Blue Wisp Big Band how well I could hear myself in the section, thinking I was overplaying, but not getting tired. It's simply a well balanced backbore for any commercial type work." Kevin Moore, Cincinnati, Ohio National Tour-"CATS", Blue Wisp Big Band

KT Backbore - Added to the line in mid 1987, this backbore appeals to commercial/lead players and is characterized by its projection and secure slotting of notes above high C. The comparative resistance falls in the 4, 5, 6 series.

7, 8, 9 - Medium large sizes. The #7 has been our best selling model for the past seven years. This series produces a quality of sound acceptable in the orchestra as well as the concert band. Models #8 and #9 are very well received by the orchestra player who appreciates the increased volume of sound with less resistance.

10, 11, 12 - Very large "Symphonic" sizes. These models have very little resistance and offer the strong player the potential for the ultimate in full, rich sound.

The "SERIES 80" Option
Most of our backbores (1 through 12 and the KT) are available with the SERIES 80 option. SERIES 80 backbores have been well received by trumpet players wishing to increase their maximum controllable volume, and by those seeking a denser, more authoritative core to their sound. SERIES 80 backbores are so named because the large "barrel" section measures 0.80" in diameter. Read our FAQ page about the SERIES 80 to learn more

We offer three styles of trumpet backbores:

The STANDARD Series - Our standard series models have long established themselves as the most popular choice for nearly any playing situation.

The STAR Series - These were designed to allow each of the STANDARD models to be more free blowing without the necessity of reaming to a larger bore size. This is important because the quality of sound remains the same without the risk of losing focus sometimes caused by playing of too large bore size. Since these models were made available, the medium large sizes (7* to 10*) have been very well received in the orchestral trumpet community.

The "B" Series - They are exactly like the STANDARD and STAR series internally. The only difference is in the external dimension which is slightly larger and causes a subsequent increase in the GAP. This added diameter can re-establish a functional gap distance in trumpets with worn receivers and where the mouthpiece receiver has been soldered to the lead pipe improperly.

While we recommend the use of our STANDARD series for most situations, if there is a noticeable problem with "LOCKING-IN" of the upper partials, the "B" backbore will very often rectify the problem.

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Be sure to check out our Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

Warburton Cornet Mouthpieces

Cornet Tops:

BC - Extremely deep. British Cornet" style cup. Tradition, classic. Very deep cup, full rich tone. Produces a warm tone with great volume of sound (when required).

MBC - Medium British Cornet to facilitate easier playing in the upper register without losing the full sound.

XD - Extra Deep. Large "V" shaped cup for players that may want some assistance in the upper register without sacrificing tone.

D - Deep. Extra-large bowl shaped cup for players wanting to produce a great volume of tone.

MD - Medium "bowl" shape. The MC cups could be the ultimate in bright symphonic sound!

MC - Medium. Medium "bowl" shape, producing a bright symphonic sound. Also used by players who bottom on shallow cups.

Wide Rim Option (W) - Any of the Trumpet, Cornet, or Flugelhorn tops can be ordered with the W rim option which provides an additional 0.020 inch (twenty-thousandths of an inch) of outside diameter for players accustomed to slightly wider/fatter rims. Note that the W option is not available with the Signature models.

Cornet Backbores:

1, 2, 3 - Our tightest commercial sounding backbores. These models have a concentrated and intense sound.

4, 5, 6 - Tight to medium. With progressively less resistance, these models produce a bright and very projecting tone.

KT Backbore - This backbore falls between the 5 and 6 in resistance and produces a compact sound appropriate for outdoor and Dixieland playing.

7, 8, 9 - Medium large sizes. The #7 has been our best selling model for the past nine years. This series produces a quality of sound acceptable in the orchestra as well as the concert band. Models #8 and #9 are very well received by the brass band player who appreciates the increased volume of sound with less resistance.

10, 11, 12 - Very large "Symphonic" sizes. These models have very little resistance and offer the strong player the potential for the ultimate in full, rich sound.

There are three styles of cornet backbores:

The STANDARD Series - Our standard series models have long established themselves as the most popular choice for nearly any playing situation.

The STAR Series - These were designed to allow each of the STANDARD models to be more free-blowing without the necessity of reaming to a larger bore size. This may help to avoid losing focus sometimes caused by playing too large of a backbore. Since these models were made available, the medium large sizes (7* to 10*) have been very well received by orchestral cornet players.

The BC Series - These  British cornet backbores are shorter than the standard cornet backbores. They were specifically designed for use with the BC tops, resulting in an overall length of 2.25". These are very popular with brass band enthusiasts.

If you're using a Wick mouthpiece, this comparison chart will help you select an appropriate Warburton model:

Customer Testimonial: Frank Hilligas - Principal Cornet, Fountain Creek Brass Band, Colorado Springs, CO
	"I experienced an instant improvement with the new set-up. What I thought was a mediocre model 927 Besson was transformed into a great horn. I don't even have to trigger the A above the staff, and the high C is perfect. The sound is exactly what I was looking for!"

Warburton Flugelhorn Mouthpieces

We offer Three Standard Models:
FLM - Medium funnel shape with a #20 bore size. This model has a lighter sound and is preferred by players who need to play in the upper register. FL - Standard deep funnel shape with #16 bore size. This has been by far our most popular model over the years. FLX - Extra deep funnel shape with a #14 bore size. This model is capable of producing a most beautiful classic Flugelhorn sound for orchestral and other large ensemble work. Wide Rim Option (W) - Any of the Trumpet, Cornet, or Flugelhorn tops can be ordered with the W rim option which provides an additional 0.020 inch (twenty-thousandths of an inch) of outside diameter for players accustomed to slightly wider/fatter rims. Note that the W option is not available with the Signature models.
The shanks are available in the standard American taper and the "French" taper, which fits the Couesnon and French Besson Flugels. The inside diameters and rims are identical to the trumpet models 1 through 8. NOTE: The following special tapers are also available by request: "Bach" - (Longer shank to fit Bach Flugelhorns, Kanstul 1525, & Leblanc Sandoval) "Vintage One" - (Wider shank dimension to compliment Conn Vintage One Flugelhorns) Warburton Flugelhorn mouthpieces are 1-piece models because each cup-depth has a corresponding bore size to match.

Signature Model Flugelhorn Mouthpieces

ARTURO - The Arturo Sandoval Flugelhorn Mouthpiece is the result of collaboration with Terry Warburton to produce the full-bodied sound Arturo needed for his upcoming Ballad CD - Look for Arturo's new CD soon!

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Access to a Warburton Master Kit enables one to test in logical fashion for the correct combination of diameter, cup style and backbore configuration that will result in a proper balancing of the equipment. This process can be extremely beneficial under the direction of a qualified Warburton Dealer or Representative. A smaller more compact "Studio Mini kit is also available. This kit is currently being used as a valuable diagnostic tool by university trumpet instructors nationwide.

Our aim is to have one or more of our kits available to the trumpet community in all geographic areas. Please take advantage of this system by calling the factory for the Dealer or Representative nearest you.