Euphonium players are reacting extremely positiviely to the new Denis Wick SM Ultra mouthpieces. Thanks for all the comments. It was a long journey that brought us to final design and was worth all the patience to get it RIGHT !
Recently Steve visited the Denis Wick Headquarters in Hamworthy, Poole and enjoyed meeting all the staff and also chatted over some projects for next year, news of which will come early in 2010.
Here with Steve in the picture we see Brian Miller (left) and Stephen Wick (right)
Here are the reviews, and don't forget to send us your comments too !!
After playing on the SM 3 Ultra now since thursday evening I believe that this is the mouthpiece I have searched for! It is very centered over all ranges but singing in all these registers. The rim is very comfortable, it is relatively easy, to play a high concert F and even higher (with the appropriate air support). Also the depth is much more centered like the SM 2. Soft playing in all registers is so much easier, especially the beginning notes. I will go on playing it, I'll let you know more after some days!
Best regards, Markus Mikusch
Soloist, teacher, Besson euphonium artist, Germany
I've now been using the new ultra SM3U mouthpiece for a week now and used it in concert on Saturday for the first time.
It isn't going to take very long to fully get used to it!
It really made the higher register notes a lot easier to play and the sound it made in the concert hall was amazing. We finished the concert with Dean Jones' Glorifico Aeturnum. The combination of the mouthpiece, euph and music was truly awesome.
Well done on this design of mouthpiece, it should be a must for all euphonium players.
Graham Jones, UK
Since two days I play the new SM3 Ultra. The sound in the high and also in the low register is very beautiful! I love it. Thanks Steven for this new mouthpiece.
Best regards
Stefan Berger, Augsburg (Germany)
Ok. Have had a bit of time to test. I think this mouthpiece is the ideal soloists piece. It makes the sound come to life and really does sing like a tenor soloist rather than a nice piece of metal. I like the sharper rim as it holds my chops in place very well. I can comfortably play up to high concert F with an open even sound and vibrato. Very nice! Little effort is needed. I can push the mouthpiece in all regards and it responds to what I have in my head, which is nice. It compliments the 2052 very well and I'm not sure one can find a better instrument/mouthpiece combo. Well done on the design! I am playing on this now.
Brandon Jones
Artist/Clinician for Buffet Crampon USA & Besson
Solo Euphonium w/ Southern Stars Symphonic Brass Band
I.B. Brass Instructor - Oakland HS
Received the mouthpiece (SMU3 Gold) just in time for Thanksgiving . Truly remarkable how it plays. It's like a leadpipe was also changed ! "Absolutely spot on".
Bill Lange, USA
Hi Steven, Thank you the mp arrived today. I noticed instantly that this mouthpiece (SMU4 Gold) will improve my playing. Easier high register with preserved low register and very powerful if needed and soft warm tone. I love it! Janne
Janne Thestrup, Norway
Initial thoughts when compared with the SM3 and my 30 year old 3AL:
1. excellent quiet note production throughout the range (the main criticism I have of the SM3)
2. very rich bottom register (even compared to my old 3AL)
3. the top register really sings (1000 times better than the SM3)
and that's after 30 minutes!
I'll keep using it and let you know, but I think you may have just done me an enormous favour. Thanks lots!
and after three weeks:
What a superb thing! The Ultra lives up to its original promise, the high
register is free and rings very nicely, down below is rich and full. It has an
excellent response throughout the range. This is the best mouthpiece I have
played. Weird shape though, I can't break the feeling that I'm playing a
hard-boiled egg.
Jon Kowszun, Switzerland
Re: Ultra
"Arrived today: Steven can't believe how easy it is, straight away through the full register projecting a good rich full clear sound opens up well on the big stuff but is just as easy for controlling the quiet playing. All in all first impressions: perfection, well done or as Captain Jack would say: fantastic fantastic fantastic. Now back to practice. Thankyou. John"
and a few days later:
first time to comment after practice, concert and two solo spots today. Firstly it showed what I already felt of the mouthpiece, the fact I was prepared to go with it straight in the concert and then with solos; I need not have been apprehensive it responded with all the control ,colour, depth of sound and ritchness of tone that I wished for. The control was at all limits of volume, brilliant on the soft playing and superb on the power playing, drawing excellant comments from conductor and euphonium players from Fountain City Brass. They were both interested in the mouthpiece. At present they use the SM models. In the solos I felt in fantastic control throughout . Overall 'very pleased' would be an understatement. John
John Starkes, Solo Euphonium, Boscombe SA Band
I knew I was changing to the SM4U after my first note. The mouthpiece offers a large range of colors while maintaining the power, production, and projection I like in a mouthpiece. It just feels great to play on.
Matt Krening. Grad student USA
The new ultra mouthpieces are "simply sensational"!
I fell in love with the 3 immediately and this is what I will always use now.
Riki McDonnell International Euphonium Soloist
After playing for my entire on a Wick SM3 and the recent Alliance 2, I was eager to try the new and improved SM range of Ultra mouthpieces new available fnearly a month, I must say that I have noticed that my sound now has many more advanced colors and nuances that I have tried for years to attain. With a newly designed rim and shape to the mouthpiece the performer will immediately notice an increased sense of endurance,improved articulation and intonation, and a great deal of enhanced power in both the high and low registers! Along with an ease in playing accompanies a richer, broader "truer" euphonium sound that is currently unmatched by any of the other competitors out there in today's market! If you liked the former Steve Mead mouthpieces you will LOVE the newly designed Denis Wick SM Ultra series! With years of research Steve has now designed the /ultimate/ in euphonium mouthpieces.I give it my highest recommendation!
Aaron Tindall Besson/Buffet Crampon USA Inc. Euphonium and Tuba Artist/Clinician"