What is a "Morse Taper" and "Large" flugelhorn mouthpiece tapers and which one does my instrument have?
A small Morse taper and a large shank flugelhorn mouthpiece are two different types of mouthpiece shanks used for flugelhorn mouthpieces, with some notable differences.
In general, the choice between a small Morse taper and a large shank flugelhorn mouthpiece depends on the type of flugelhorn being used, the player's personal preference for sound and feel, and the specific musical context in which the instrument will be played.
Listed below is our most recent reference on what flugelhorn uses which taper:
French:
End of the shank measures 0.388", coupled with a morse taper further up the shank.
Instrument Models: Kanstul CCF 925, 725, French Besson, Couesnon.
Small Morse Taper:
End of the shank measures 0.355"
B & S, Bach, R, S, Berkeley, Besson Sovereign, Courtois, Eclipse, F. E. Olds, Holton, LeBlanc, Taylor, Kanstul models 725, 1025, Phaeton, Reynolds, Schilke, Selmer, Taylor.
Large Morse Taper:
End of the shank measures 0.368"
Adams, Allure, Austin Custom Brass, Benge, Blessing, Calicchio, Callet, Conn Vintage One, Eclipse, Gerd Dowids, Getzen, Josef Lidl, older Kanstul 1525, King, Lawler, Miraphone, Orlando Wind Instruments, Schilke, Stomvi, Thomas Inderbinen, Weril, Yamaha.
German Taper (very similar to trumpet taper, but slightly larger):
End of shank measures 0.394" / 10mm
Miraphone rotary flugelhorns