Denis Wick 3AL vs Denis Wick 4.5AL
The Denis Wick 3AL has a wider cup diameter, the Denis Wick 3AL has a larger throat opening.
Cup Diameter
The Denis Wick 3AL has a cup diameter of 26.40 mm / 1.0394 in compared to 25.85 mm / 1.0177 in on the Denis Wick 4.5AL — a difference of 0.55 mm / 0.0217 in. A wider cup generally produces a fuller, darker tone but requires more air support.
Cup Depth
Both mouthpieces share a very deep cup depth, so the sound character from depth alone will be very similar.
Throat Diameter
The Denis Wick 3AL has a wider throat (7.38 mm / 0.2906 in vs 7.24 mm / 0.2850 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.