Here are some important helps taken from The Warburton web site. This will increase your knowledge of backbores and how you can use them to enhance your playing with the gRawlin tops.

What does the backbore do?
1. Regulates resistance.
2. Helps you achieve your desired sound quality.

Fine tuning resistance with a backbore relates to your own physiology (air capacity, coordination of chest, back, and abdominal muscles, elasticity of the lips) and your personal musical goals (maximum required volume, tone color, broadness of sound, intensity, and technical efficiency). Each and every backbore that you play-test will score slightly differently in each of these categories. Your own trumpet and choice of cup style will set the parameters for this balancing act.

I think we would all agree that there are as many sounds as there are musicians. In my conversations over the years with seasoned trumpet players, I hear an often recurring theme: "No matter what the mouthpiece, the player will find a way back to his own sound if given enough time."

Where the Warburton System becomes so effective and valuable is in this area of concern. Rather than having to make physical adaptations to achieve your musical goals, your equipment is "customized" to enhance your most natural approach to trumpet playing. The result is the elimination of tensions which serve to work against efficiency and progress.

What is a "B" backbore?

A "B" designation means that the outside dimensions of the tapered shank are larger. This will increase the "gap". Increasing the gap adds resistance in its own unique way, much differently than by simply choosing another backbore. Make no mistake - RESISTANCE is a healthy and vital part of maintaining a successful upper register!

Try a "B" backbore if:
    •    High notes are easy at first, but soon tend to "wash out" or "air-ball"
    •    There is little definition to the notes above high C
    •    Low register is unusually free blowing
    •    There is nothing to "lean on" when coming back down from a high passage

What is the advantage of a SERIES 80 backbore?
SERIES 80 backbores have been well received by trumpet players wishing to increase their maximum controllable volume, and by those seeking a denser, more authoritative core to their sound.

SERIES 80 backbores are so named because the large "barrel" section measures .80" in diameter. In developing a high-mass backbore for use with Warburton tops, Terry Warburton designed a series of blanks ranging from slightly more mass to a full 7/8 inch (.875") diameter (Series 65, 70, 75, 80, 87).

These were sent to well respected trumpet players around the country for comment, and were tested in the factory by Orlando's top call players. In universal accord, the "80" series was singled out as the most effective and vibrant. Because there is not an excess of mass up around the rim and cup, we did not find it necessary to install a larger bore (throat) as was done by other manufacturers of a heavy one-piece model.

Series 80 Playing Characteristics
 
    •    Increases maximum volume potential. Test this with a crescendo on a long tone. Chances are you will go beyond the point at which sound would normally break up or reach its limit.
    •    Locks in unstable partials in the extreme upper register.
    •    Requires more use of the large skeletal muscles of the body without added burden to the lips. Functioning at increased volume levels will draw more energy from your body, but the rewards are often impressive.
    •    Generally not preferred for softer playing as they require a certain minimum amount of energy to be effective.

What is a Star Backbore?
Each standard backbore has a cylindrical section at the top where only the #27 reamer has passed. This cylinder is of varying lengths depending on the overall size of the backbore. (#1 has the longest cylinder, #9-12 the shortest).

On Star backbores, this section is altered to be conical (tapered). Players report the following general characteristics:

Standard -- Slots on each pitch are more defined with tighter center.
Notes will "pop" (sound like du tongue) when slurring rapidly up a chromatic scale.
Broadness of sound is limited in order to favor projection.
Star -- Slots are roomier - easier to lip pitch up or down without changing timbre or chipping attacks.
Notes tend to smoothly glide together on chromatic scale.
Produces broader, more blending sound, less projection.

What are the characteristics of the Q Backbore?


Highly efficient - The player's buzz is amplified to a vibrant sound, even in the mid and low registers. This makes it possible for lead players to remain authoritative in these registers without having to overly-loosen their chops. This pays off big in the endurance department.

Resistance - similar to our #4 backbore, but the increased quantity of sound requires less physical drive to sustain dominance. An entirely new reamer was created to make the Q backbore so more specific comparisons aren't possible.
Slightly lower pitch center - The Q is .050" longer in length overall than our standard backbores. This added a unique type of resistance resulting in firmer "walls" around the slots.

If you are playing at extreme volumes, this type of security can make the difference between a guarded performance and a boldly dynamic one. Most players who use the Q have found that their tuning slides can come in as much as a quarter inch, resulting in a more consistent timbre and better intonation.

Commercial sound - Make no mistake here - the Q was designed for verve and projection.

Can a mouthpiece cause/cure pitch problems?
Yes. Some that we often hear about include:
Problem --Upper register goes sharp when chops are tired
Cause --Backbore too big.

If your trumpet plays a bad scale, you could "fix" the problem by choosing a mouthpiece with such a lack of focus that you could place the pitch just about anywhere, but this is not an acceptable solution. When a few selected notes are flagrantly out of tune, it is likely due to valve misalignment, assembly error, or flawed instrument design.

In this case, the mouthpiece can help only by allowing your chops more leeway to "flirt" with the pitch. Remember, whenever you have to place the pitch in defiance of your instrument, more involvement of the lip musculature will be required and endurance will suffer.

Trumpet Backbores: 1, 2, 3 - Our tightest commercial sounding backbores. These models have a concentrated and intense sound. The #3 is the most popular of this series. If offers a bright, projecting sound that is great for lead players and outdoor work.

4, 5, 6 - Tight to medium. With progressively less resistance, these models produce a bright and very projecting tone. The #5 is by far our most popular with strong lead players.

Q Backbore - New in 2004, the Q is our most aggressive backbore, preferred by lead players who also need to maintain dominance in the middle register without spreading or over-loosening their chops. 

Qm Backbore - New in 2008, the Qm is a slight modification to the Q backbore. A modified taper in the venturi section slightly compresses the air column to increase velocity before releasing the air into the main body of the backbore. The result - An exciting commercial sound with an intense center.

New Product Alert - NY Backbore: NY Backbore - This backbore was inspired by the sound of the old Giardinelli #3 (default) backbore made popular by Maynard and others in the '70's. The New York sound was broad, bright, and acoustically loud which are also the qualities of this backbore. Resistance is just a bit tighter than our #5.

KT Backbore - Added to the line in mid 1987, this backbore appeals to commercial/lead players and is characterized by its projection and secure slotting of notes above high C. The comparative resistance falls in the 4, 5, 6 series.

7, 8, 9 - Medium large sizes. The #7 has been our best selling model for the past seven years. This series produces a quality of sound acceptable in the orchestra as well as the concert band. Models #8 and #9 are very well received by the orchestra player who appreciates the increased volume of sound with less resistance.

10, 11, 12 - Very large "Symphonic" sizes. These models have very little resistance and offer the strong player the potential for the ultimate in full, rich sound.

There are three styles of trumpet backbores: The STANDARD Series - These 13 models have long established themselves as the most popular for all around playing situations.

The STAR Series - These were designed to allow each of the STANDARD models to be more free blowing without the necessity of reaming to a larger bore size. This is important because the quality of sound remains the same without the risk of losing focus sometimes caused by playing of too large bore size. Since these models were made available, the medium large sizes (7* to 10*) have been very well received in the orchestral trumpet community.

The "B" Series - They are exactly like the STANDARD and STAR series internally. The only difference is in the external dimension which is slightly larger and causes a subsequent increase in the GAP. This added diameter can re-establish a functional gap distance in trumpets with worn receivers and where the receiver has been soldered improperly.

While we recommend the use of our STANDARD series for most situations, if there is a noticeable problem with "LOCKING-IN" of the upper partials, the "B" backbore will very often rectify the problem.

To order your backbore from Terry Wrburton follow this link.
Please visit our online store for pricing and ordering information