Detail 01
Small shank
Fits small and medium bore tenor trombone leadpipes only. A large-bore horn needs a large-shank piece instead.
Product detailSKU #1275776904257
SchilkeGold-Plated Trombone Mouthpieces Small Shank 40BGP Gold
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
Gold-plated small-shank trombone mouthpiece, .886" cup with a shallow B cup. Built for high-register work and for trumpet players doubling on trombone.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Trumpet players who occasionally double on tenor trombone
- Lead and commercial parts that sit high and loud
- Valve trombone and bass trumpet, where projection matters more than depth
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Large-bore orchestral trombones — small shank will not seat correctly
- Players chasing a big, dark symphonic sound
- Long low-register sessions; the small rim tires the chops down there
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
.886" cup diameter
The smallest trombone diameter Schilke lists. Less lip inside the rim, so high notes come easier and low notes get tighter.
Detail 03
Shallow B cup
Less cup volume than the standard 40. Brighter, more cutting, more resistance under the air.
Detail 04
15/64 throat
Schilke's standard trombone throat. Blow resistance here is set by the shallow cup, not the bore.
Detail 05
Wide-rounded rim
Spreads pressure across more lip surface, which is why doublers coming off a trumpet rim adapt to it quickly.
Detail 06
Gold plating
Slightly softer, grippier feel on the lip than silver, and an option for players whose skin reacts to silver plate.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Check your leadpipe: small shank only, no adapter included
- 02Sold as the mouthpiece alone — no pouch, case, or brush
- 03Coming from a 45 or 47, expect a noticeably smaller rim
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Will this fit my trombone?
Only if your horn takes a small-shank mouthpiece — typical of small and medium bore tenors. Large-bore tenor and bass trombones take a large shank and this will sit too loose.
02What's the difference between the 40 and the 40B?
Almost identical rim diameter — .887" versus .886". The B is the shallower cup, so it plays brighter and higher with more resistance. The plain 40 gives you more depth of sound.
03I play trumpet and picked up a trombone. Is this the right piece?
That's the case it was built for. The very small diameter and wide rounded rim keep the feel closer to a trumpet rim than a standard trombone mouthpiece does.
04Does the gold plating wear off?
Plating is a surface layer and wears at the rim contact point over years of playing. It doesn't change the cup dimensions, so playing characteristics stay the same as it thins.
Reference
Full specifications
The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.
1 detailsBody & build
- Color
- Gold
23 detailsOther
- 40
- 22.53 mm, .887 inch cup diameter; 15/64 throat. Since the cup diameter is small, the upper register is improved. In addition, the tone has considerable projection. It is excellent for the bass trumpet and valve trombone.
- 42
- 23.22 mm, .914 inch cup diameter; 15/64 throat. Slightly larger diameter and deeper than the 42B, the 42 features a standard C cup.
- 45
- 24.38 mm, .953 inch cup diameter; 15/64 throat. The semi-flat rim has a high point close to the center of the mouthpiece which allows for a great deal of flexibility. Ideally suited for the beginner trombone player.
- 46
- 24.54 mm, .966 inch cup diameter; 15/64 throat. Slightly larger than the 45, this is also a good beginner’s mouthpiece.
- 47
- 24.99 mm, .984 inch cup diameter; 15/64 throat. For both professionals and students alike, this outstanding mouthpiece combines good response with superior tone quality and intonation.
- 50
- 25.40 mm, 1 inch cup diameter; 17/64 throat. Particularly adapted to the medium and medium-large bore tenor trombones. The Schilke standard options make this a fine all- around mouthpiece.
- 51
- 25.63 mm, 1.01 inch cup diameter; J throat. A large bowl shaped cup producing a rich tone quality. Ideally suited for large bore tenor and orchestral performers.
- 52
- 25.78 mm, 1.015 inch cup diameter; 17/64 throat. Slightly larger diameter than the model 51, this mouthpiece produces a slightly broader sound.
- 53
- 26.24 mm, 1.033 inch cup diameter; 15/64 throat. This combination of large cup diameter and bowl shape is widely favored by those who desire a rich full sound.
- 45b
- 24.30 mm, .953 inch cup diameter; 15/64 throat. Contour profile – designed for the lead trombone player with a larger cup volume than the 43A.
- 46d
- 24.76 mm, .975 inch cup diameter; 15/64 throat. The cup diameter and volume is slightly larger than the 46, producing a full, resonant tone. Also recommended for the younger baritone/euphonium player.
- 43a
- 23.57 mm, .924 inch cup diameter; 15/64 throat. Contour profile – this mouthpiece was designed for the lead trombone player desiring an easy high register.
- 42b
- 22.99 mm, .921 inch cup diameter; 15/64 throat. Contour profile – this mouthpiece is well suited for the small tenor trombone and lead or commercial playing.
- 51b
- 25.63 mm, 1.01 inch cup diameter; F throat. This mouthpiece incorporates a large diameter with a medium-small B cup and small throat.
- 40b
- 22.51 mm, .886 inch cup diameter; 15/64 throat. Extremely small inner rim diameter and shallow B cup. This mouthpiece, with its wide-rounded rim, works well for the trumpet player who doubles on trombone.
- 52d
- 25.78 mm, 1.015 inch cup diameter; 1/4 inch throat. Like the 51D, the large D cup makes this mouthpiece ideal for symphonic trombone playing. Also a good choice for the euphonium player requiring a larger diameter than the 51D.
- 51d
- 25.55 mm, 1.005 inch cup diameter; J throat. One of the most popular, this mouthpiece offers a very large D cup and is excellent for the strong player. It is particularly suited for the euphonium, producing a full dark tone.
- 47c4
- 25.10 mm, .988 inch cup diameter; 15/64 throat. Like the model 47 but with a slightly wider, semi-flat number 4 rim.
- 52e2
- 25.91 mm, 1.020 inch cup diameter; J throat. With its extremely deep E cup and narrower, rounder number 2 rim makes this mouthpiece an ideal symphonic choice for the robust player. Also a good choice for Euphonium player requiring more cup volume than the 52D.
- 50c4
- 25.40 mm, 1 inch cup diameter; F throat. The medium-deep cup and medium-wide rim make this mouthpiece an outstanding choice for medium and large-bore tenor trombones, combining a rich, full sound with a high level of efficiency and playability.
- 51c4
- 25.63 mm, 1.01 inch cup diameter; J throat. Similar to the model 51 with a slightly shallower cup and semi-flat number 4 rim.
- 44e4
- 24.28 mm, .956 inch cup diameter; 15/64 throat. Though a small cup diameter, this mouthpiece offers a very deep E cup and semi-flat number 4 rim.
- 47b
- 24.87 mm, .979 inch cup diameter; C throat. Contour profile – this mouthpiece is a good all-around mouthpiece for the jazz player that is requiring quick response and a resonant high register.
