Detail 01
.658 inch cup diameter
Medium-small. Slightly narrower than a 13 or 14, which is part of why endurance improves.
Product detailSKU #1275776904510
SchilkeStandard Series Trumpet Mouthpiece Group I 12B4 Silver
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
Schilke 12B4 trumpet mouthpiece in silver. A .658-inch medium-small conical B cup with a semi-flat number 4 rim, aimed at endurance without going shallow.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Long rehearsals or services where lips give out before the music does
- Players wanting range help without a lead-piece shallow cup
- Moving off a plain 12 and wanting more rim support
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Screaming lead work — the 12A4a's shallow cup and tight backbore fit that
- Players wanting maximum cup volume and a dark, broad tone
- Cornet — this is the trumpet model
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
B cup, conical shape
Medium-small depth. Keeps a full tone rather than the thin, bright sound of the shallow A cups.
Detail 03
Number 4 semi-flat rim
Flatter than a standard rim, so pressure spreads across more of the lip. Buys playing time.
Detail 04
26 throat
The standard throat here, not the tighter 27 used on the a-backbore models built for high-register work.
Detail 05
C backbore (standard)
More open blow than the 12A4a's tight a-backbore. Less resistance to push against.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Check the model stamp you actually want — this group runs from 5A4 to 14A4x.
- 02Sold as a single mouthpiece; no pouch or holder in the box.
- 03A flatter rim can feel unfamiliar at first; expect an adjustment period.
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01What does the B in 12B4 mean?
Cup depth. B is a medium-small conical cup, deeper than the shallow A cups used for lead playing and shallower than the standard C depth.
02What is the 4 in 12B4?
The rim contour. Number 4 is a semi-flat rim, which spreads pressure over more lip surface and helps endurance compared with the rounder number 2 and 3 rims.
03How does the 12B4 compare to the 12A4a?
Same .658 inch diameter. The 12A4a swaps in a shallow A cup and a tight a-backbore for more range and endurance. The 12B4 keeps a fuller tone.
04Is this a lead mouthpiece?
No. For lead, the 13A4a pairs a shallow A cup, number 4 rim and tight a-backbore. The 12B4 is built around tone with rim support.
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.
