Brands Guides About
Yamaha YAC RSULLIVAN Trumpet Mouthpiece Professional — main product image
Yamaha

Yamaha YAC RSULLIVAN Trumpet Mouthpiece Professional

★★★★★4.4 (4 reviews)

Built on Bobby Sullivan's specs, this Yamaha mouthpiece delivers the warm, full projection that live trumpet chairs demand night after night.

View price on Amazon
Affiliate Disclosure: Studio Supplies may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you. This helps support our editorial team.

Notice a mistake? Let Us Know

Overview

The Yamaha YAC RSULLIVAN is a professional trumpet mouthpiece designed in collaboration with lead trumpeter Bobby Sullivan and voiced specifically for the demands of commercial and jazz performance. The 17.16mm inner rim diameter, paired with a semi-deep cup and semi-flat rim contour, is built to produce the kind of warm, full-centered sound that carries in a live hall or recording session without the brightness that can fatigue a listener over a two-hour show. It's a mouthpiece for players who need projection with body — not a laser-focused orchestral tone, but the round, resonant voice that sits in a band mix and commands attention without fighting it.

Yamaha's manufacturing precision means the geometry is exactly repeatable — the rim contour, throat, and backbore are held to tight tolerances that boutique producers often charge a premium for. The semi-flat rim is a practical ergonomic choice that pays dividends across a full rehearsal week or touring schedule, spreading embouchure pressure rather than concentrating it. The standard trumpet shank fits virtually all professional instruments without adapters. For working players in commercial, studio, or big band contexts who want a mouthpiece with professional pedigree and predictable, reliable performance at every session, the RSULLIVAN delivers with the consistency that Yamaha's instrument-side reputation would suggest.

Key Features

17.16mm inner rim diameter

Semi-deep cup with semi-flat rim contour

Strong and full sound

Well-balanced

Extremely responsive and flexible

Specifications

Brand
Yamaha
Model
YAC RSULLIVAN
Inner Rim Diameter
17.16mm
Cup Depth
Semi-deep
Rim Contour
Semi-flat
Sound Character
Strong and full
Response
Extremely responsive and flexible
Instrument Compatibility
Standard Bb trumpet (Bach-style shank)

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Semi-flat rim contour distributes embouchure pressure across a broader surface, supporting endurance during multi-set gigs and long rehearsal blocks.
  • 17.16mm inner rim diameter gives experienced players room for a full, open embouchure that translates to a richer, more resonant sound in the hall.
  • Semi-deep cup produces warm, full-bodied tone with strong mid-register projection — well-suited for lead work in big band, commercial, and studio contexts.
  • Yamaha's precision manufacturing ensures consistent geometry batch to batch — you get the same mouthpiece every time, which matters for players who travel with a backup.
  • Signature design grounded in professional performance requirements gives it a proven performance context rather than being a spec-sheet design exercise.

👎 Cons

  • The semi-deep cup demands efficient air support in the upper register — players accustomed to very shallow mouthpieces may find the upper range feels less effortless initially.
  • The larger 17.16mm inner diameter is not well-suited for developing players whose embouchure hasn't built the strength to control a wider aperture consistently.
  • No significant grip feature on the shank — for players who prefer a textured or contoured mouthpiece body for field handling, the standard smooth Yamaha shank may feel plain.
  • Voiced specifically for a professional commercial/jazz trumpet context — classical players seeking a bright, focused, penetrating tone may find the tonal profile too warm for orchestral blend.

Frequently Asked Questions

The YAC RSULLIVAN is a signature model voiced for lead and commercial trumpet work — the combination of a semi-deep cup and 17.16mm inner rim diameter supports a warm, centered tone with enough core to project over a big band or ensemble without thinning out at the top of the range.
A semi-deep cup adds warmth and body to the sound and allows for a more resonant lower-mid register — but it requires slightly more air support for the extreme upper register than a shallow V-cup would. Players coming from a very shallow cup may need a short break-in period to adjust air column management.
It falls in the mid-to-large range for trumpet mouthpieces. The larger diameter supports a fuller, broader embouchure and tends to favor players with more developed chops — it can feel demanding for beginners but gives experienced players more tonal flexibility and dynamic range.
Yes — this is a standard Bach-style trumpet shank and fits the receiver of virtually all standard Bb trumpets, including Yamaha, Bach, King, Conn, and Jupiter instruments.
The semi-flat rim distributes embouchure pressure more evenly than a narrow round rim, which tends to reduce localized fatigue during extended playing. For pit orchestra work, long rehearsals, or touring schedules, this is a meaningful ergonomic consideration.

Related Products