Denis Wick 5AL vs Schilke 40B
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 22.51 mm / 0.8862 in on the Schilke 40B — a difference of 3.22 mm / 0.1268 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 Schilke 40B 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 5.95 mm / 0.2343 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.