Denis Wick Heritage Alto/Tenor Horn Mouthpiece - DW3183

Chris Davies puts the new Denis Wick Heritage mouthpiece through its paces, with good results.

Consistently evolving its technology and ideas, the latest selection of tenor horn mouthpieces, released by Denis Wick Products, are straight from the cutting-edge of brass engineering where the label 'Heritage' is particularly apt, since these innovative mouthpieces strongly resemble many 19th century Hawkes mouthpieces, which served as an inspiration rather than a basis for Denis Wick's new design. The technology behind them, however, is strikingly revolutionary. The gold plated rim and silver mouthpiece are quite attractive and very unique. Presented in packaging that resembles a type usually reserved for an expensive watch or ring, you can be assured of the quality of this product, into which its makers have poured a great deal of care and precision.

The Heritage range offers a more nuanced selection of mouthpiece sizes and are all on offer, providing tenor horn players with more subtle options than previous selections. The size 1 mouthpiece (the biggest and shallowest of the series) offers a massive 'beefy' sound, particularly in the pedal register - an ideal purchase for second horn players looking to balance the sound of a section with fatter low notes. Also, the size 4 is a new design, and is 0.5mm smaller in diameter than the 3, while the deepest mouthpiece, the 5, has the smallest diameter (but the deepest cup).