Irving R Bush

Trumpet players throughout the world have realized the need for a precision-built, custom mouthpiece. Each Bush mouthpiece has been scientifically designed to produce an accurate qualitative trumpet tone. Every model was extensively tested for intonation, ease of response, flexibility and individual lip comfort. All mouthpieces are measured for exactness using state of the art equipment. Years of research and testing have resulted in brass mouthpieces of superb excellence.

The cup diameter is offered in several sizes, and the cup depths range from very deep to shallow. Corresponding cup diameters are identical and can be interchanged with different cup depths. Interchanging cup depths has proved advantageous for players who perform more than one type of music; also for players who perform on C, D, Eb, E, G and piccolo trumpets.

The S cup mouthpieces are designed to produce a big symphonic tone. The number 1 and number 2 cups are designed to produce a big tone with more brilliance. The 3D cup is designed as an all-purpose mouthpiece. The shallower cups ( 3) are noted for their brilliant tone quality without sacrificing the low register. There is a Bush Mouthpiece designed for every playing situation.

About Irving R. Bush

Irving Bush (1930–2009) has been associated with nearly every phase of the music profession. Born and raised in Los Angeles, he received his BA and MA degrees, cum laude, from California State University, Los Angeles. He has played with many name bands and orchestras including Dave Rose, Nelson Riddle and Harry James, and for three years was Nat “King” Cole’s personal first trumpet player.

He has performed for many motion picture studios including 20th Century Fox, MGM, Columbia, Disney, Universal, Paramount and Warner Brothers Pictures. He has played on recordings with Nat “King” Cole, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, George Shearing, Sarah Vaughan, Barbara Streisand and many others. In the symphonic area, he has recorded with the Columbia Broadcasting Symphony, Igor Stravinsky conducting and recordings by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra with Zubin Mehta, Carlo Giulini, Erik Leinsdorf, Michael Tilson Thomas, Andre Previn and Leonard Bernstein.

Mr. Bush has published numerous articles on trumpet related subjects and is author of “Artistic Trumpet Technique and Study.” He also has been design and research consultant for several trumpet manufacturers. Mr. Bush served for many years on the faculty of the University of Southern California and California State University, Los Angeles.

Who’s Playing Bush

Pete Estabrook Jazz Studio Department, Santa Rosa College, Santa Rosa, California

Rob Roy McGregor LA Philharmonic (retired)

Boyd Hood LA Philharmonic (retired)

Glenn Fischthal San Francisco Symphony (retired)

Manny Laureano Minnesota Orchestra (retired)

Peter Masseurs Concertgebouw Orchestra, Amsterdam (retired)

John Berringer Jr. Freelance trumpet player, Orange County, California

Otavio Nestares Freelance player in big band jazz, commercial and orchestra, Brazil

Bob O’Donald TV, motion pictures, recording artist, Hanna Barbara Studios

Stan Watkins Trumpet player, band leader, singer-song writer

Tom Scott Band director, educator, freelance trumpet player

Paul Bogosian Freelance (Don Ellis, Tito Puente, Lionel Hampton, Ray Anthony), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

John MacFerran Wilds Formerly New Mexico Symphony and Mississippi Symphony, currently with the San Diego Symphony

Tony Ellis Freelance trumpet player, Orange County, California

Stephen Ruppenthal Composer, performer, Emerald Hills, California

“Michael, received the gold-plated Bush WX/S mouthpiece. Great Service! The gold-plating was, indeed, a superior job. Very satisfied on this end.

“You might be interested in my recent electro-acoustic trumpet/flugelhorn CD, Flamethrower, on Ravello records. the extended website is here, which includes scores, photos, more content, etc. — Best, Stephen Ruppenthal”

Bush Mouthpiece Pricing

Standard and Symphony model mouthpieces: MSRP $95.00
Powertone model mouthpieces: MSRP $110.00

Lettering and numbering system for Bush mouthpieces

M – Medium wide cup
W – Wide cup
WX – Very wide cup
WX-A, B, C – Bowl-shaped cup, symphonic cup
WXT – V-shape cup
P – Piccolo trumpet
F – Flugelhorn cup
S – Very deep cup
1 – Deep cup
2 – Medium deep cup
3D – Medium cup
3 – Shallow cup
4 – Very shallow cup

Trumpet Mouthpiece Models

We offer three different models of Bush trumpet mouthpieces: Standard, Symphony, and PowerTone.

The Symphony Model “S” Series features a flat rim, slight bite, and larger cup volume.

The PowerTone is available in all the Standard models, with same cup, rim, throat and backbore specifications. It features added mass for increased efficiency and increased inertia.