Bach 18D vs Denis Wick 5AL
The Denis Wick 5AL has a wider cup diameter, the Denis Wick 5AL features a deeper cup, the Denis Wick 5AL has a larger throat opening.
Cup Diameter
The Denis Wick 5AL has a cup diameter of 25.73 mm / 1.0130 in compared to 24.20 mm / 0.9528 in on the Bach 18D — a difference of 1.53 mm / 0.0602 in. A wider cup generally produces a fuller, darker tone but requires more air support.
Cup Depth
The Denis Wick 5AL has a medium cup while the Bach 18D has a shallow cup. Deeper cups favor a darker, richer sound; shallower cups provide more brightness and easier upper register.
Throat Diameter
The Denis Wick 5AL has a wider throat (7.30 mm / 0.2874 in vs 5.85 mm / 0.2303 in). A wider throat allows more air through, increasing volume and projection but reducing resistance.
Which is better?
Neither mouthpiece clearly dominates the other — the right choice depends on your embouchure, playing style, and the sound you're after. Try both if possible.
Compare Bach 18D with others
Compare Denis Wick 5AL with others
Popular Trombone comparisons
- Giardinelli Sym. T vs Bach 12E
- Bach 12E vs Bob Reeves 5G Gladstone
- Yamaha SL-YEO-S vs Marcinkiewicz ET3C. Loper
- Denis Wick 6BL vs Conn Connstellation 7CW
- Schilke 45B vs Marcinkiewicz ET3C. Loper
- Conn Connstellation 7CW vs Bach 6½A (small shank)
- Yamaha SL-48DL vs Yamaha SL-YEO-S
- Schilke 53 vs Giardinelli Sym. T