Throat length, back bore taper length, and cup depth are COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT with the DYNA-FLOW® modular trumpet mouthpiece system. This critical acoustic integrity of these independent aspects of the trumpet mouthpiece design is maintained throughout all DYNA-FLOW® combinations.
With most other mouthpieces, the outer length is the same no matter what the other dimensions are. Thus, shallow mouthpieces will require either a longer throat length or a longer back bore taper length in order to maintain a constant outer length. Likewise, a deeper cup will require a shorter throat length or a shorter back bore taper length in order to maintain the outer length. Both of these scenarios compromise the acoustic internal design and balance in order maintain the outer length. Basically, the manufacturers of these types of mouthpieces are more concerned with the outside of the mouthpiece (because it is much easier and cheaper to manufacture or they are just ignorant of this very important critical balance) than they are the critical dimensional balance within the mouthpiece that actually make it PLAY.
This acoustic balance is IMMEDIATELY noticeable with an amazingly quick response and clarity of attack. Slotting is also much improved. There is no insecurity about losing a note. Once you hit a note, there is much more of a sense or feeling that the note is not going anywhere.
With many modular trumpet mouthpieces that choose to have a constant outer length no matter what acoustic aspects are compromised, it is necessary to have many different back bore designs in order to match one with a cup to find an acoustically balanced combination. In order to maintain the outer mouthpiece length, you may have to try several back bores in order to find one that actually responds and plays well while maintaining the outer length.
Our cup depths are built from the bottom - up. Our deeper cups are actually thicker/taller than our shallower ones. This keeps the throat length and back bore taper length exactly the same and independent with every combination. This maintains the critical acoustic balance in ALL of the DYNA-FLOW® combinations.
DYNA-FLOW® back bores tighten to the INTERNAL dimension, where many other models tighten to an OUTER dimension which can leave a gap between the back bore and throat. This is unacceptable and produces turbulence which degrades the sonic integrity of the mouthpiece. When our mouthpieces are assembled, the INTERNAL dimensions come into DIRECT contact and provide a truly gap-less assembly.
The DYNA-FLOW® adjustable throat design allows the player to make subtle adjustments to the throat length that can adjust both the resistance and tonal color of the mouthpiece. This can match the mouthpiece to the player or to the horn for an optimized balance.
The DYNA-FLOW® trumpet mouthpieces are entirely manufactured in the USA utilizing the highest quality CNC machines and experienced operators anywhere in the world. Our plating is also the very best in the industry. Standard plating is in SILVER, with GOLD plating available upon request.
DYNA-FLOW® modular mouthpieces are compatible with high quality Warburton tops and back bores.
The DYNA-FLOW® trumpet mouthpieces are designed by trumpet player and teacher Mark Van Cleave. Mark studied instrument and mouthpiece design while studying trumpet with his teacher and mentor Jerry Franks starting in the late '70's. Jerry was a clinician for the C.G. Conn company in their glory years and was instrumental in many of their most successful trumpet designs. Jerry eventually became a clinician for Bach where he continued to influence many design aspects.
Jerry was very knowledgeable about not only the physical aspects of trumpet and mouthpiece design, but also the acoustic aspects. The final designs always have to have a balance of fit and performance.
Mark got his first hands on training while working at the Vincent Bach factory in the early 1980's. One of his first duties was to recapture the original Vincent Bach mouthpiece designs. Over the years, the original shaped cutting tools used (at that time) to create the Bach trumpet mouthpieces would become dull and then would be sent for sharpening. This was repeated over and over until a new cutting tool was needed. They would then copy the OLD tool that had been re-sharpened over and over to create the new tool. As you can guess, this resulted in the loss of the original Vincent Bach designs. The 7C models were actually BIGGER than the 3C when Mark arrived.
Throughout this process, Mark learned much about what made a mouthpiece play well and what aspects of the design had little or no real effect upon the playability of the mouthpiece. Once these critical aspects of mouthpiece design were learned, a few prototypes were made and passed around for testing. Nobody would give the prototypes back!
Mark then started working with Bill Ratzenberger. Bill designed the original Jet-Tone mouthpieces that were made famous by players such as Maynard Ferguson, Bill Chase, Doc Severinsen, Al Hirt, Bobby Hackett, and many more. While working with Bill, Mark came up with some very cutting edge designs that were eventually prototyped.
One of Mark's original hand cut prototypes from the early 1990's.
The first CNC produced model 2006.
The first (2008) DYNA-FLOW® 3 piece with Black Chrome on Throat.
After leaving Bach, Mark continued to work with famous mouthpiece maker Bill Ratzenberger and hit the road playing lead trumpet with many shows using the original prototype mouthpieces. During this time, Bill passed away and his business and equipment were eventually sold ...INCUDING MARK'S ORIGNAL DESIGNS. Mark played these original prototypes for many years until they wore out.
Now with the aid of 3D reverse engineering scanners and CNC lathes, it has been possible to recreate Mark's original designs once again.
With the almost infinite amount of design and manufacturing accuracy that is available with modern CAD designing programs and CNC lathes, Mark has been able to take the original design concepts and tweak/improve them from the originals. This new DYNA-FLOW® series has finally come full circle where FORM finally meets FUNCTION for trumpet players.
Over the years, almost every player that had the opportunity to try one of Mark's prototypes asked to be put on "the list" as soon as they were available...
...Now the long wait is over.
