Detail 01
.658 inch cup diameter
Medium size. Big enough for tonal body, small enough that the upper register stays manageable through long sets.
Product detailSKU #1275776904036
SchilkeStandard Series Trumpet Mouthpiece Group I 12A4 Silver
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
Silver-plated Schilke trumpet mouthpiece, 12A4: .658" cup with a shallow A cup, semi-flat #4 rim and open c-backbore. Built for lead and commercial playing.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Lead trumpet players needing upper-register support without a tiny rim
- Commercial and big band work where projection matters
- Players who want endurance from a flatter rim contour
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Orchestral players wanting a deep C cup and dark tone
- Beginners still building embouchure — a 13 or 12 serves better
- Cornet players; the funnel-cup cornet models suit that horn
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 lifts high notes. Trades away some warmth and low-register depth.
Detail 03
Number 4 semi-flat rim
Wider, flatter bearing surface spreads pressure across the lip. More endurance, slightly less flexibility than a rounded rim.
Detail 04
27 throat
Slightly larger than the standard 26 throat, so less resistance and more air moves through.
Detail 05
Standard c-backbore
Free-blowing feel compared to the tight a-backbore on the 12A4a. Same rim and cup, more open response.
Detail 06
Silver plating
Slightly firmer, grippier feel on the lip than gold. Some players react to silver; gold is the alternative.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Mouthpiece only — no horn, no case, no pouch
- 02Confirm your trumpet takes a standard small-shank receiver
- 03Switching cup depth changes your response; give it weeks before judging
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01What's the difference between 12A4 and 12A4a?
Same .658" rim and shallow A cup. The 12A4 uses a standard c-backbore for a free-blowing feel; the 12A4a uses a tight a-backbore that adds resistance for endurance and range.
02Is this a good beginner mouthpiece?
Not really. The shallow A cup favors high-register work. A developing player is better served by the 13 or 12, which have C cups with more volume for tone.
03Silver or gold plating — does it change the sound?
The difference is in feel, not tone. Silver sits slightly firmer and grippier on the lip; gold is smoother and slicker. Choose by comfort and skin sensitivity.
04Will this help my high notes?
The shallow A cup and semi-flat #4 rim are built for upper-register work, so it can help. It won't build range on its own, and the sound gets brighter and thinner below the staff.
Reference
Full specifications
The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.
1 detailsBody & build
- Color
- Silver
23 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
- 16.8 mm9mm, .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.
- 13b
- 16.77 mm, .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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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-backbore assists with upper register work.
- 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.
- 8 Mma4
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 8 Mme2
- 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
- 9c4
- 16.36 mm, .644 in cup diameter; 26 throat. Like the 9 mouthpiece, however the 4 semi-flat rim provides excellent endurance.
- 11c2
- 16.51 mm, .650 inch cup diameter; 26 throat. Similar to the model 11 featuring a slightly rounded number 2 rim contour.
