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.
Compare Denis Wick 3AL with others
Compare Denis Wick 4.5AL 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
- Yamaha SL-48DL vs Yamaha SL-YEO-S
- Conn Connstellation 7CW vs Bach 6½A (small shank)
- Schilke 53 vs Giardinelli Sym. T