Lead Trumpet Mouthpieces
Finding the right setup for power, efficiency, and sound.
As trumpet players, we’re all chasing that perfect combination of brilliance, control, and endurance — especially when it comes to lead playing. After years of performing in everything from jazz ensembles to pops orchestras and brass bands, I’ve found that mouthpiece choice plays a massive role in consistency and comfort.
Below are three lead trumpet mouthpieces I’ve used extensively, along with my honest thoughts on each.
Schilke 14A4A — My Go-To for Reliability
The Schilke 14A4A has been my main mouthpiece for years, and for good reason. It’s one of the most balanced lead pieces ever made — a compact cup for efficiency and brilliance, tight backbore for focus, and just enough rim width for endurance on long gigs.
It projects beautifully without getting too brittle, and the intonation stays rock-solid even in the upper register. For me, it’s the gold standard of modern lead trumpet design — especially for players who need to cover commercial, pops, and classical crossover work.
Reeves 42SV — For Extreme Efficiency and Upper Register Ease
The Reeves 42SV is a precision tool. It has a smaller cup and tighter throat than the Schilke, giving it an incredible sense of pop and immediacy. The response and slotting are laser-focused — but that also means it demands strong air support and efficiency.
If you’re someone who plays lead in a big band or does high-energy commercial work, the 42SV can feel like a turbocharged engine. Just know that it’s less forgiving endurance-wise if your fundamentals aren’t dialed in.
Doc Severinsen Jet-Tone — Vintage Brightness and Sparkle
This is the mouthpiece that defined a generation of commercial trumpet sound. The Doc Severinsen Jet-Tone is pure 1970s Las Vegas energy — bright, brilliant, and incredibly lightweight on the chops.
It’s not the most stable intonation-wise, and it takes some finesse to control at lower dynamics, but it delivers that vintage pop that can still turn heads today. It’s a fun piece to have in the case, especially for shows or pops concerts where you want that nostalgic lead tone.
My Takeaway
If you’re looking for:
All-around reliability: Schilke 14A4A
Extreme upper-register efficiency: Reeves 42SV
Old-school brightness and flair: Jet-Tone
There’s no “one-size-fits-all,” but having a few of these in your rotation can really help you understand what your chops respond to best.
Want to Improve Your Lead Playing?
If you’re working on efficiency, range, or endurance, I go into this in depth inside my Trumpet Mastery Course — including full routines based on the Cichowicz Flow Studies, Clarke Technical Studies, and Arban Endurance Systems adapted specifically for modern lead and commercial players.
The course includes 16 video lessons, PDF exercises, and a free 1-on-1 coaching session with me to help you personalize your setup and fundamentals.
Learn more about the Trumpet Mastery Course here.
About the Author:
Ryan Hobbs is a professional trumpet player and educator based in Chicago, performing with orchestras, jazz ensembles, and commercial groups throughout the Midwest. He teaches at Illinois Wesleyan University and runs the Trumpet Mastery Course, helping players around the world improve their tone, range, and confidence.