Brass Mouthpiece Generator

A customizable parameterized mouthpiece design– Print your perfect mouthpiece! Open Source CAD!
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updated March 1, 2022

Description

PDF

A customizable parameterized mouthpiece design.. print your perfect mouthpiece.

First step: Go research mouthpiece design a little. Here's some great sites:

  1. BestBrass has some phenomenal comparison charts, (righthand side) cross sections, and descriptions/comparisons between measurements, standard reference mouthpieces, and usual use cases (righthand side under 'For Trumpet' etc)
  2. David Werden's guides is a measurement database for brass mouthpieces.
  3. this buying guide is a nice blog article on what to look for.

Second step: Choose a design!

This thingiverse thing has several mouthpieces uploaded, feel free to try them or open onshape document down below and change anything you'd like. Here's the naming convention I've created:

CAD Design Source!

Designed this in OnShape. It's an online version of SolidWorks (made by the original creators of solidworks too) that'sway way better. It'sfree to use for hobby projects, so if you need to modify anything and don't have an account go make one of their free accounts.

Custom Brass Mouthpiece document

Message me!

If you use the CAD, print a mouthpiece, or even go with an alternative: Message me on discord/telegram! I want to hear how it went!

Fourth step: Print it

I'd recommend printing this in PLA or PLA+ at 0.18mm high layers or finer. Finer layers equals easier time sanding in the next step

Last step: Finish it / Sand it!

You'll want to sand things down, especially the bits that touch your mouth.

  • Start out with 80 to 140 grit sandpaper (yes, that's coarse!) to remove the layer lines but be careful not to change the shape much. I wet-sand this by wetting the mouthpiece (not the sandpaper).
  • Now go with 180 to 240 grit and wet-sand things to make them smooth.
  • Repeat with ~400 grit, 800 grit, and ~2000 grit.
  • The higher grit you go the less you'll notice a difference and it'll look like you're just polishing things. You are..
  • Rince, dry, check to see if it's as good as you'd hope, then:
  • OIL it. A recently sanded plastic part will be oleophilic meaning it really wants to soak up oils. Either rub it with your fingers for a while or get something fancy from the hardware store.

Elliptical / Oval shape?

As a project with my dad we're trying out making an oval shaped mouthpiece for better playing comfort.. with promising results! Give it a shot, any mouthpiece with '+2' has an extra 2mm of width, and this can be configured with even more eccentricity.

Post your make!

Please post 'em! Really! Take a quick cameraphone photo of your print in all its glory and show it off! Plus it really helps get this design out there to the world.

Message me on discord/telegram for

  • customizations
  • different engravings
  • different variation ideas
  • any issues: printing, design, fit, etc
  • to show off / geek out about your result
  • say howdy

Designing stuff is fun but interacting with cool people and hearing about their adventures is better. I can generate any variation / engraving easily, message me on discord/telegram and/or leave a comment and let's make your perfect version. I only ask that you post a make!

If you'd like the CAD or STEP file too, no problem. I've already helped a bunch of great folks! Send me a ping

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Model origin

The author marked this model as their own original creation. Imported from Thingiverse.

License