Why is Modifying resistance important?
The Gap between the end of your mouthpiece and your leadpipe creates resistance. Greater gaps increase resistance. Smaller gaps, diminish resistance. By varying that distance you can make a good mouthpiece-trumpet combination play great. You may also desire different resistance levels for different playing circumstances. For example playing lead in a jazz ensemble has different requirements than playing in a small chamber group. When you change the throat of a mouthpiece to a smaller throat you create backpressure as well as resistance. But by changing only the gap you add resistance to the feel of the mouthpiece but still have a good air flow through the system.
What is Nodal Balance?
The sound waves that are created at your aperture are magnified throughout the instrument and the waves touch certain points in the instrument. By adjusting the point that the sound waves start we change where they touch the nodal points in the instrument. When these waves and points are aligned properly we can improve the intonation and playability of the instrument.
Why don't manufacturers address the gap issue?
A few pioneers in the industry have. Fixed sized sleeves and adjustable gap receivers exist. However, most mouthpiece manufacturers don't address the issue because of the expense in stocking all their various models in a variety of shank dimensions. So their opinion decides what is best for you. The end result is your options are limited. Until now!!!
How much adjustment does the Gap Modulator give me?
You will be able to extend your mouthpiece closer to the leadpipe by about 3/32” of an inch. This will reduce the gap and decrease resistance Then the Gap Modulator will give you approximately 3/8”ths of an inch adjustment away from the leadpipe, increasing resistance to the desired amount.
What else should I know?
When you order your Gap Modulator, you will need to send us your mouthpiece to machine and fit the Gap Modulator. Once fitted, we will return it to you ready to play. we can also modify any of our one piece trumpet mouthpieces or backbore sections
Instructions For Use
With Gap Modulator fitted and assembled to your mouthpiece you can finger tighten the lock nut to the shank and rotate your mouthpiece to the desired gap placement. We recommend that you extend the mouthpiece through the sleeve until it touches the end of your lead pipe, then one hex at a time rotate the mouthpiece and test until you find the sweet spot. Once you have found the optimum effect take a ½” open end wrench and hold the hex portion of the shank and take another ½” open end wrench and tighten the lock nut down snugly to the shank section.
Gap Modulator is an available option on all of our backbore sections, and solid one piece mouthpieces for an additional cost of $50 each