Detail 01
.658 inch cup diameter
Medium-small rim. Less lip inside the cup than a 14, which favors range over sheer volume of sound.
Product detailSKU #1275776904020
SchilkeStandard Series Cornet Mouthpiece Group I in Gold 12A4 Gold
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
Gold-plated Schilke 12A4 cornet mouthpiece: .658" cup, shallow A cup, semi-flat #4 rim, open C backbore. For cornet players chasing upper-register endurance.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Lead and upper-register cornet work in brass band or big band
- Players wanting endurance from a flat, cushioned rim
- Cornetists who find the 12A4a's tight backbore too restrictive
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Players wanting a deep, dark traditional cornet tone
- Trumpet players — this is a cornet shank
- Beginners still building embouchure on a medium-deep cup
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
Shallow A cup
Less air volume in the cup. Brightens the sound and makes high notes speak with less effort.
Detail 03
Number 4 semi-flat rim
Wider, flatter bearing surface spreads pressure over more lip. Buys endurance, costs some flexibility.
Detail 04
27 throat
Tighter bore than the 26 throats elsewhere in the line. More resistance to push against, easier to control softly.
Detail 05
Standard C backbore
More open than the a-backbore on the 12A4a. Freer blow and a broader sound at the cost of some resistance.
Detail 06
Gold plating
Different surface feel against the lip than silver and a different wear pattern over years of play.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Cornet shank — confirm your cornet's receiver, and note it will not fit a trumpet
- 02Sold as the mouthpiece alone; no pouch, case, or brush included
- 03Jumping to a shallower cup changes intonation tendencies — expect an adjustment period
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Will this fit my trumpet?
No. It is a cornet mouthpiece and the shank is cut for a cornet receiver. Schilke's trumpet models are sold separately.
02What's the difference between the 12A4 and the 12A4a?
Same rim and cup. The 12A4 uses a standard C backbore, which blows more openly; the 12A4a's tight a-backbore adds resistance, endurance, and range.
03Is this a good first mouthpiece?
The shallow A cup is aimed at upper-register work. Developing players usually get further on a fuller C cup like the 13 before moving to a shallow one.
04Why does the gold cost more than the silver models?
Gold plating is the premium finish in the Schilke line. The rim, cup, throat, and backbore dimensions are identical to the plated-silver version.
Reference
Full specifications
The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.
1 detailsBody & build
- Color
- Gold
31 detailsOther
- 9
- 16.33 mm, .643 inch cup diameter; 26 throat. Standard characteristics allow for a full penetrating tone quality.
- 11
- 16.53 mm, .653 inch cup diameter; 26 throat. A superior mouthpiece with standard characteristics for a free-blowing mouthpiece.
- 12
- 16.69 mm, .657 inch cup diameter; 26 throat. A traditional medium size mouthpiece that includes a number 3 standard rim and c-backbore, which allows the player a full spectrum of sound.
- 13
- 16.89 mm, .665 inch cup diameter; 26 throat. Ideal choice for a student or developing player with standard number 3 rim contour. The rounder rim provides increased flexibility and quick response. The C cup offers volume for tone.
- 14
- 17.02 mm, .670 inch cup diameter; 26 throat. With a standard rim, cup and backbore, this model is an excellent choice for all-around playing.
- 13b
- 16.77, .660 inch cup diameter; 26 throat. This mouthpiece has a B cup that is slightly deeper than the 13A4 and also offers a narrower round rim.
- 14a4a
- 17.09 mm, .673 inch cup diameter; 27 throat. A very popular mouthpiece, the 14A4a offers a shallow A cup, semi-flat number 4 rim and tight a-backbore, which allows a player a strong upper register without sacrificing tonal production.
- 11ax
- 16.51 mm, .650 inch cup diameter; 27 throat. This model was developed for the Schilke piccolo trumpets. The x-backbore improves the ease of playing and opens up the sound on a piccolo trumpet.
- 6a4a
- 15.99 mm, .630 inch cup diameter; 27 throat. Shallow A cup with cushion number 4 rim for extreme high register work.
- 11a
- 16.51 mm, .650 inch cup diameter; 26 throat. This rim size and contour is similar to the model 11 mouthpiece, but with a shallower A cup.
- 14a4
- 17.09 mm, .673 inch cup diameter; 27 throat. Same as the 14A4a, but with a standard c-backbore that offers a more open feel.
- 13a4
- 16.76 mm, .660 inch cup diameter; 27 throat. Same as the 13A4a, but with a standard c-backbore which allows a free-blowing feel.
- 12a4
- 16.71 mm, .658 inch cup diameter; 27 throat. This mouthpiece is the same as a 12A4a, but with a standard c-backbore.
- 13c4
- 16.89 mm, .665 inch cup diameter; 26 throat. The somewhat sharp inner-edge combined with a funnel-shaped C cup offers a clear tone. The number 4 semi-flat rim adds increased endurance.
- 14c2
- 17.02 mm, .670 inch cup diameter; 26 throat. This C cup and number 2 semi-rounded rim produces a rather large tone and good center.
- 10a4
- 16.43 mm, .647 inch cup diameter; 27 throat. Same as the 10A4a but with a standard c-backbore, which offers less resistance.
- 11e
- 16.58 mm, .653 inch cup diameter; 26 throat. The large funnel-shaped cup encourages a big round tone, ideal for cornet.
- 10a4a
- 16.43 mm, .647 inch cup diameter; 27 throat. The combination of the shallow A cup, semi-flat number 4 rim and tight a-backore assists with upper register work.
- 12a4a
- 16.71 mm, .658 inch cup diameter; 27 throat. Similar to the 12B4, but with a shallow A cup and tight a-backbore, which adds both endurance and range.
- 7b4
- 16.08 mm, .633 inch cup diameter; 26 throat. Excellent for the player with thin lips. Number 4 rim provides good endurance with a brilliant tone.
- 11c2
- 16.51 mm, .650 inch cup diameter; 26 throat. Similar to the model 11 featuring a slightly rounded number 2 rim contour.
- 14b
- 17.02 mm, .670 inch cup diameter; 26 throat. Similar to the model 14, but with a B cup that is medium-small size.
- 12b4
- 16.71 mm, .658 inch cup diameter; 26 throat. This medium-small conical B cup provides a full tone and the number 4 semi-flat rim allows for more endurance.
- 8e2
- 16.15 mm, .636 inch cup diameter; 26 throat. The deep funnel-shaped cup provides a smooth tone and is very flexible in all registers. Recommended for cornet players
- 13d4
- 16.89 mm, .665 inch cup diameter; 27 throat. Best option for a player looking for a thick, rich, weighted sound. Medium-large D cup offers a tone that is colorful with depth. The number 4 semi-flat rim affords comfort with a sharper bite for superior articulation clarity. The cup diameter is ideal for all players from student to professional.
- 10b4
- 16.43 mm, .643 inch cup diameter; 26 throat. A medium-small funnel-shaped B cup offers both a quality sound and support in the register.
- 13a4a
- 16.76 mm, .660 inch cup diameter; 27 throat. The shallow A cup, semi-flat number 4 rim and tight a-backbore creates an ideal lead mouthpiece.
- 11d4
- 16.58 mm, .653 inch cup diameter; 26 throat. Slightly deeper than the model 11 with a number 4 semi-flat rim, which provides a definite cushion feel for endurance.
- 14a4x
- 17.09 mm, .673 inch cup diameter; 27 throat. Based on the popular 14A4a, this mouthpiece creates a very open blowing feel with the large x-backbore. This backbore improves the ease of playing and opens up the sound of a piccolo trumpet.
- 9c4
- 16.36mm, .644 in cup diameter; 26 throat. Like the 9 mouthpiece, however the 4 semi-flat rim provides excellent endurance.
- 8a4
- 16.25 mm, .640 inch cup diameter; 26 throat. The slightly funnel-shape cup at the entrance to the throat provides a good tone and the number 4 semi-flat rim gives superior endurance.
