Expert: Kenton Scott - 11/10/2008

Question
Hi, I've noticed that a lot of the questions aksed here refer to mouthpiece shanks.  I was wondering what the difference between a regular mouthpiece as I would know it and a shank. I was also hoping you might point me in the direction of some reference materials (books, websites, etc.) relating to antique cornets and repair.
Thank you.

Answer
I'm not sure what your question is about shanks.  The shank is the part of the mouthpiece that fits into the instrument.  Over the years there have been many different sizes of fit.  

Currently, they have been reduced to what amounts to French horn shank, cornet shank, trumpet shank, small trombone shank, European trombone shank, large trombone shank and tuba shank.  But there is some over lap.  So, mellophones use cornet shank, Eb tubas use large trombone shank, etc.  In the past there were smaller versions of cornet, trumpet and trombone that are not longer used.

For a WEB site on vintage instruments, www.horn-u-copia.net.  There is also some discussion of repair on there.