Marcinkiewicz Bobby Shew 1.5 vs. Marcinkiewicz Bobby Shew 2.0 Review

The Marcinkiewicz Bobby Shew 1.5 and the 2.0 are very high quality trumpet mouthpieces made in Canby, Oregon, USA.

They are both pretty shallow and “small” and many trumpet players consider them to be so called “lead mouthpieces” or “high note mouthpieces”…

…however, they can be used for a lot more than just playing lead and screaming high notes, so let’s jump in and take a closer look at them!

You can click the links below to find buying options and compare prices:

>Click here to check  “Bobby Shew 1.5”  on Amazon
>Click here to check  “Bobby Shew 2.0” on Amazon

>Click here to check  “Bobby Shew 1.5” on Thomann Music
>Click here to check  “Bobby Shew 2.0” on Thomann Music

Marcinkiewicz Bobby Shew #1.5 vs #2 (E9.1 vs E5) My Experience

In this article I’m going to share my experience with the Marcinkiewicz Bobby Shew 1.5, and the Marcinkiewicz Bobby Shew 2.0…

…and put them up against each other!

• What’s the difference between the Bobby Shew 1.5 vs the Bobby Shew 2.0?
• Which one is better for high notes?
• What kind of music are they best suitable for?

Listen to the video to compare the Marcinkiewicz 1.5 vs Marcinkiewicz 2.0
(It’s  recorded on my mobile phone so the audio is not the best, but hopefully you can hear the difference between the mouthpieces)

Marcinkiewicz Bobby Shew 1.5

Specs

• Outer rim diameter: 26,85 mm
• Inside rim diameter: 16,81 mm
• Throat / bore size:  3,56
• Cup depth: 10,03 mm
• Length: 8,76 cm
• Medium round rim
• Silver

Marcinkiewicz Bobby Shew 2.0

Specs

• • Outer rim diameter: 26,92 mm
  • Inside rim diameter: 16,81 mm
  • Cup depth: 10,85 mm
  • Throat / bore size:  3,66mm
  • Length: 8,76 cm
  • Medium round rim
  • Silver

How They Differ From Each Other

Rim

The Marcinkiewicz 1.5 has the exact same inner rim diameter as the 2.0. However, the 2.0 has a slightly larger outside rim diameter. This means that the whole rim is a tiny bit thicker on the 2.0 …

…to put it another way, the rim on the Shew 1.5 is a bit thinner and because of that, it also “grips” your lips better.

On the other hand, since the Marcinkiewicz 2.0 (E5) has a slightly thicker rim, it helps with endurance.

Cup

The Marcinkiewicz 1.5 cup is a bit more shallow than on its brother, Shew 2.0. We are not talking a big difference here. It is noticeable, when you play them back to back, but not a night and day difference.

Bore / Throat

The Marcinkiewicz 1.5 has a bore size of 3.56 mm while the Bobby She 2.0 has a 3.66 mm bore size.

Differences in playing characteristics

The high register

The high register is easier on the Marcinkiewicz 1.5 if you have a somewhat efficient embouchure. The 1.5 compresses the air more since it is both shallower and have a smaller throat.

Now, remember, the differences are tiny. For example the bore size is just ONE STEP bigger on the 2.0 as you can se below…

• Bobby Shew 1.5 (E 9.1) [.141″]  3.56 mm
• Bobby Shew 2.0 (E5)  [.144″]    3.66 mm

However, that tiny difference in bore / throat size, in combination with the shallower cup, makes the Shew 1.5 more of a “air compressing” mouthpiece. Now, the difference in cup depth is also tiny, but they differ and, as I said, the combination makes it noticeable when you play them back-to-back.

Both mouthpieces can be considered “high note mouthpieces” though, and if I would have to sum it up in a short way…

• The Shew 1.5 is a more typical high compression screamer mouthpiece (Excellent for lead trumpet playing in big bands or piccolo trumpet playing)
• The Shew 2.0 has a slightly bigger sound, you can use a bit more air with it.
  (Perfect for high register solos like ballads or other songs. Also excellent for Eb-trumpet or chamber music, where you are forced to play in the upper register with a bright sound)

Another thing to note is that I can not really play any higher on the 1.5. Both mouthpieces are easy to play, when it comes to screaming out some high notes, but the control, articulation and endurance is a bit better for me in the extreme upper register, when I use the Shew 1.5

Resistance

You can definitely feel a bit more resistance when playing the Marcinkiewicz 1.5 compared to the Marcinkiewicz 2.0. Personally I love using the 1.5 for my piccolo trumpet playing. I find it perfect for that. Just the right amount of resistansce to the air and it has an excellent high register.

Articulation

They are both great for clear attacks and articulation. That said, I personally find the Marcinkiewicz 1.5 (E9.1) is a bit better when it comes to articulation in the “semi-high” to high register. This is probably because of the somewhat better grip of the rim in combination with the slightly shallower cup. Don’t get me wrong, they are both great!

Sound

The Marcinkiewicz 2.0 (E5) has got a slightly bigger and warmer sound. It is also not as “penetrating” as the 1.5 , but again, as the two mouthpieces are pretty similar, the differences are not huge.

For the most part though, neither of the mouthpieces are suitable for classical music as played in a big symphony orchestra where a huge, warm, big trumpet sound is needed. Of course there could be exceptions to this, if the trumpeter has a piece to perform, where a more elegant and bright sound is suitable.

Where to use them

One thing to note though, is that both of them can do “each others” job. Meaning, the difference between them are not that big that one of them can make you do spectacular things, while the other one can not. No, but you will find that you prefer one over the other. Especially in different playing situations.

Non of the mouthpieces are really suitable for a huge classical trumpet sound though, if playing in the low or middle register only. The Marcinkiewicz Bobby Shew 2.0 can indeed be used in chamber music, with your C-trumpet, for example, but then it would be best fitting in a piece with light articulation, a bright sound, and in the “semi-high” to high register.

I personally own both mouthpieces and this is how I choose between them

For piccolo trumpet work

For the most part I choose the Bobby Shew Marcinkiewicz 1.5 when I have some piccolo trumpet playing to do. Especially if the piece is demanding, which they often are, whenever we need to use the small piccolo trumpet.

I have also been playing the Shew 2.0 with my piccolo with great results. If the piece is mostlyi n the middle register, I will sometimes go for the Shew 2.0

For Eb trumpet

When playing something on my E-flat trumpet, I mostly use the Bobby Shew 2.0 (E5). It really makes my Eb-trumpet sing and I love the sound I get from the 2.0. The sound is a bit bigger than on the Shew 1.5 so, and for the most part, I prefer  this when playing my E-flat…

…that said, if I do have to play some very demanding descants, or something similar, I have found myself using the Shew 1.5 on my Eb-trumpet as well. They both work!

For Marching band or some other endurance demanding stuff

For this I would definitely go for the Marcinkiewicz 2.0 (E5) as I think the 1.5 could be a bit too bright for this. The 2.0 is also bright, but it’s deep enough to play marches and other “entertaining / commercial” music…

…especially if you think “warm air” when playing, in order to get an optimal oral cavity size for the situation. In fact, I’d much rather use the Shew 2.0, instead of a Bach 7c or 1,5c, or some bigger mouthpiece like that, when it comes to endurance demanding stuff like marching band gigs.

For Lead trumpet playing in a big band section 

Here I would choose the Bobby Shew 1.5 right away. As I already mentioned, it’s a bit easier to articulate with and it has got a sharp and bright sound. Excellent for lead playing where you want your sound to be able to cut thourgh the section.

For a “High note” trumpet solo

Now, on the other hand, if I had to perform a solo with a lot of high notes in it I would go with the Shew 2.0. This is because the slightly warmer sound you get with the 2.0…

…and it’s still shallow enough to “sizzle” and get awesome high notes out of. gotta love it.

You can click the links below to find buying options and compare prices:

>Click here to check  “Bobby Shew 1.5”  on Amazon
>Click here to check  “Bobby Shew 2.0” on Amazon

>Click here to check  “Bobby Shew 1.5” on Thomann Music
>Click here to check  “Bobby Shew 2.0” on Thomann Music

Marcinkiewicz Bobby Shew 1.5 vs. Marcinkiewicz Bobby Shew 2
Final Words

So to sum it all up, which one is better?

…no, that’s not a good question! They are both very good mouthpieces, and they can both be played, with great success, in all the situations I just mentioned. And even though we are all different, I think that most trumpet players will find that, the way I choose to pick one over the other, according to the specific gig, could be very suitable for them as well.

Thanks for reading this article.

Have you tried the mouthpieces yourself? If so, what is your experience with the Marcinkiewicz Bobby shew lead mouthpieces? Feel free to leave a few lines in the comment section down below.