Bob Reeves 43SV
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Reference Notes
The Bob Reeves 43SV is a very-shallow-cup Bb trumpet mouthpiece featuring a 17.07mm rim diameter and 3.57mm throat. It has a lead-69 backbore, standard shank. Well-suited for lead playing. Use these measurements as a comparison starting point: fit and response still depend on the player, dental structure, instrument receiver, and each manufacturer's measuring method.
What Is the 43F?
The “43” tells you the rim diameter — 43/64 of an inch (17.066 mm). That’s a shade larger than a Bach 3C (16.30 mm) and puts it in Schilke 16 territory. The “F” is where it gets specific. In the flugelhorn catalog, F = the shallowest flugelhorn cup — warm, centred, full core. When that same cup geometry is applied to a trumpet shank, the result is the C2J (crossover) version: a very deep, dark cup that gives a flugelhorn-like warmth on a regular Bb trumpet.
When someone asks for a “43F” in a trumpet context, they almost certainly mean either the 43/C2J — a dedicated trumpet piece with a flugel-inspired cup — or a flugelhorn piece with the standard F cup. Both use the same 43 rim, which is the point of the Reeves screw-rim system.
Cup Options on the 43 Rim (Trumpet)
| Cup Code | Depth | Sound Profile | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| ES | Extra Shallow | Bright, high compression | Lead, big band, commercial |
| S | Shallow | Focused, clean upper register | Commercial, piccolo trumpet |
| M | Medium | Flexible, good all-around | Jazz, small group |
| C | Medium Deep | Balanced, warm | Classical utility, all-around |
| D | Medium-Deep V | Dark, conical shape | Light classical, chamber |
| C2J | Very Deep (flugel-inspired) | Soft, dark, flugelhorn warmth on trumpet | Jazz ballads, Mahler, church |
The C2J is the trumpet player’s version of the 43F concept. Use it when you want flugelhorn warmth without picking up the flugelhorn.
The Screw-Rim System
Most mouthpieces are one piece. Bob Reeves pioneered the two-piece and three-piece modular design — the rim separates from the cup and backbore (the “underpart”). One 43 rim can be used on your Bb trumpet, piccolo trumpet, and flugelhorn with the same feel on your face but different acoustic response per instrument. Reeves Sleeves (numbered #1–#7) let you physically adjust the mouthpiece’s gap position in the leadpipe for optimal intonation on each specific horn. If the rim wears or a player’s embouchure changes, only the rim needs replacing — not the whole mouthpiece.
Rim Variants (Same 17.066 mm Diameter)
| Variant | Rim Shape | Closest Feel |
|---|---|---|
| 43 (standard) | Semi-round, soft bite | Bach 3C, 2¾C |
| 43N (Narrow) | Semi-flat, sharper bite | Bach Mt. Vernon 6C, 2½C |
| 43W (Wide) | Semi-round, medium cushion | Bach 3CW, 7CW |
| 43.5 | Medium-round, slightly larger | Bach 1½C, 5C area |
The 43N is popular with players who want a flatter rim for precise grip — it functions like the legendary Bach Mt. Vernon 6C, which many find difficult to source in vintage form.
Who Plays It
Chuck Findley
Hollywood studio legend. 43W rim with hybrid ES-S cup. Built for marathon recording sessions.
Dan Rosenboom
Signature "BOOM" model on 43.5 rim. Modified D cup for warmth in modern jazz.
Bobby Burns Jr.
Earth, Wind & Fire. Custom Reeves for commercial power with classical depth.
The 43 rim is the standard for the classic West Coast studio sound — full below the staff, projecting above it, without the extremes of a large orchestral piece or a tight lead piece.
Is It Right For You?
| Situation | Verdict |
|---|---|
| You play trumpet and flugelhorn and want one rim | ✅ Strong choice |
| You want a dark, flugel-like sound on trumpet | ✅ The C2J is made for this |
| Lead player on a 3C-sized rim | ✅ 43ES or 43S |
| Beginner or early intermediate player | ❌ Soft bite requires stable embouchure |
| You need the darkest possible orchestral sound | ⚠️ Try before buying — may be slightly bright |
| Rotary trumpet | ✅ 43/X backbore option gives very dark warmth |
Also Consider
| If you want… | Look at |
|---|---|
| Same rim size, more open backbore | Lotus 3C, GR 67 |
| Dark trumpet tone without modular system | Denis Wick Heritage 3C |
| Screw-rim lead playing | Warburton series |
| West Coast studio sound, tighter feel | Schilke 16 |
Reference Trail
Bob Reeves system guide
Cup numbering, Reeves Sleeves, backbores, artist setups, and fit context.
Bob Reeves 42-family reference
Neutral read on the workhorse mid-size Reeves branch and what to verify before ordering.
Bob Reeves 43-family reference
How the 43, 43N, 43W, and 43.5 branch differs in feel and use case.
Bob Reeves Brass · bobreeves.com · Made in Los Angeles, CA. Specs sourced from Reeves catalog, Thomann listings, and MouthpieceExpress.
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Source Posture
BrassFit treats Bob Reeves pages as neutral reference pages. Exact dimensions above are the structured listing data for this model. If you spot a spec mismatch, missing variant, or outdated source page, send a correction before outreach so the cluster stays manufacturer-safe.