morgan excalibur vs jazz model

[marco maria]

anyone knows the difference between tenor
mpc jazz and excalibur ?
I think that my tenor mpc is a jazz model and I'd like to know what is the difference between jazz and excalibur models

[marco maria]

this is my mpc, anyone can confirm that it is the jazz model?
http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/3231/morgan2z.jpg
http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/1605/morgan4y.jpg
http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/5108/morgan5.jpg
http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/5402/morgan6.jpg
http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/261/morgan7r.jpg

[warp x]

Excaliburs have a metal band around the shank

[Raspberry 007]

this is my mpc, anyone can confirm that it is the jazz model?
http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/3231/morgan2z.jpg
http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/1605/morgan4y.jpg
http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/5108/morgan5.jpg
http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/5402/morgan6.jpg
http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/261/morgan7r.jpg

It looks like a Morgan Jazz model. The classical models are "C" models.

[marco maria]

thanks for your info
do you know the differences in terms of project and quality of sound between jazz and excalibur models ?

[holdenjazz]

the excaliburs have thin shells and smaller outside dimensions. A tenor excalibur takes an alto ligature. As a result, the excalibur feels a little more live, but I do not know if the chambers on the jazz and excalibur models are essentially the same. The biggest difference I believe is the way they feel in that the excalibur has much smaller exterior dimensions. Both have traditionally come with either medium or large chamber options. Now there appears to be a medium large option for either.

[jazzcat58]

Your pics , are identical to an alto 7M i have, so i think thats pretty unanimous, i feel the excalibur woulds give you a bit more edge,especially the E", the EL, would sound a little less !, but you may prefer the depth of sound from the EL,its really about the sound you want, i think the JazzM,gives agood allround sound, but will project to other styles if needed.
All pieces would be fine as lead pieces,if you go to steve neffs, website he has some clips, of morgans so you can see the sort of sound he has with them.

[Raspberry 007]

thanks for your info
do you know the differences in terms of project and quality of sound between jazz and excalibur models ?

Morgan's standard mouthpieces are somewhat brilliant, especially in the medium chamber; it just seems to be the Morgan design. It's neither good nor bad, it's just the way it is. The Excalibur adds an entirely new dimension to brilliant. The internals are the same, but like others have mentioned, the external shell and shank are distinct.

Morgan's pieces are excellent.

[saxphil]

Your Morgan tenor mpc is the Jazz model.
It has a medium (M) chamber which would play brighter and more focused than the L chamber with the same tip opening.
It is a 9, which is a .110.

All things being equal, the Jazz and the Excalibur project similarly, imo.
The different chamber sizes are more of a factor affecting the focus or spread of the sound, brighter/darker, etc.

Both Jazz and Excalibur models come in M,ML and L chambers.

The (Jazz) M and the (Excalibur) E have the same medium chamber size.
The (Jazz) L and the (Excalibur) EL have large chambers.

The ML has a chamber closer in size to the L and EL, but rounder, like a Link.
The L/EL chambers are wider, more oval in shape.

It has been said that the Excalibur profile was designed with more of a metal mpc profile in mind.

There is also, of course ,the classical C chamber, as well.

Your Morgan Jazz M may be focused and bright sounding and, with the .110 tip opening,
may be an interesting combination.

FWIW I have altos 6M,7E, 6L and tenor 7EL.

I am expecting a tenor 8ML from a fellow member soon.
The rounder more Link like chamber of the 8ML sounds appealing.
A Link vibe would be cool. :)

The skinny on the ML is that it has a darker core tone than the M chamber
and is edgier than the L chamber.

[marco maria]

thanks for your polite answers
It is possible to find some photos of these models on the web ?

[saxphil]

Google junkdude
Click on mouthpieces (left)
Click on Ralph Morgan mouthpieces (top left box)
Click on any Morgan mouthpiece in the left hand column (black highlight)
A series of pics and a description appear for each mpc

You might like to check out their used mpcs as well.
Click on vintage & used saxophone mouthpieces.

Also, used Morgans are put up for sale at reasonable prices regularly, by fellow members ,in the SOTW Forum marketplace.

[marco maria]

many thanks from the sunny italy

[marco maria]

On the tube of the mpc there is a label marked "mpc MT F 80 L". Anyone knows the meaning ?

[saxphil]

The markings on the mpc itself are what is useful.
9 = .110 tip opening
M = medium chamber

The other marking is the serial #.

I'm no expert, but the tube markings sound like the tube may have been from another Morgan mpc, not your mpc.
Those figures don't seem to correspond to your mpc's specs.

Is your " label " a colored round sticker on the bottom of the tube?
It usually just states, for example: Alto 6M, Tenor Excalibur 7EL, etc.
The other one of course is The Morgan label.

Was it purchased used and the tube maybe is from another Morgan mpc?

[marco maria]

thanks Phil

The tube has a colored round sticker on the bottom which report “ ten 9M” and another label, rectangular on the length of the tube, which report “mpc MT F 80 L”.
In effect, I bought it from Mojo Bari, I’ll write to him to know if the tube come from another mpc.

[Smooth Sop Berator]

The round sticker on the bottom of the tube is the standard Morgan label which identifies the mouthpiece inside. According to your label it is a tenor 9M model.

[Michael]

Its amazing to me how much Greg Wier's mouthpiece work looks SO much like Ralph Morgan's. Really, you couldn't tell the difference

[Sigmund451]

Today is a good day

[saxphil]

thanks Phil

The tube has a colored round sticker on the bottom which report “ ten 9M” and another label, rectangular on the length of the tube, which report “mpc MT F 80 L”.
In effect, I bought it from Mojo Bari, I’ll write to him to know if the tube come from another mpc.

It is clear from the sticker info on the tube bottom that it is the tube for your mpc.
Mojo will clarify the other figures.

[LampLight]

Sorry I'm late to the thread. This question crops up from time-to-time. Here is an excerpt from email I got from Dave at junkdude when I asked him this very question last August:


. . . the Jazz models and Excalibur models have identical chambers, facings, and tip openings. For example, the Jazz 7 L (large chamber) Model and the Excalibur 7 EL (large chamber) Model are identical on the interior of the mouthpiece. The difference is that the Jazz Model is a traditional size hard rubber piece and the Excalibur has more of a streamline body. While both have a similar core tone, the Excalibur Model has just a bit more edge because of the thinner walls.

If you are currently playing a normal size hard rubber mpc, then the Jazz model should feel about the same in your mouth. If you are currently playing a smaller rubber piece or a metal mpc, then the Excalibur will probably feel better. . . .

If you have further questions you might want to call junkdude or send them an email. My experience is that they respond fast and shoot straight. Plus, the Morgans are all great IMO and Erik and Brian are keeping the faith nicely.

[MojoBari]

It is clear from the sticker info on the tube bottom that it is the tube for your mpc.
Mojo will clarify the other figures.This was a MP I took as a trade-in for refacing services. The tube came with the mouthpiece but I do not know if it was original. If you are that curious, try contacting the guys at Morgan to see if they recognize it. Include the serial number of the mouthpiece.