Denis Wick 5AL vs Schilke 42
The Denis Wick 5AL has a wider cup diameter, 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 23.22 mm / 0.9142 in on the Schilke 42 — a difference of 2.51 mm / 0.0988 in. A wider cup generally produces a fuller, darker tone but requires more air support.
Cup Depth
Both mouthpieces share a medium cup depth, so the sound character from depth alone will be very similar.
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.