Has anyone been disappointed by a refacing job?

[TenorX]

I've heard all of the glowing testimonials, but has anyone ever been at least mildly disappointed with the finished product? I'm thinking of having my old STM Link 5* cleaned up a bit and opened, but I don't want to ruin its intrinsic properties. Any comments/advice would be appreciated.

[paulwl]

I think the key is to have in mind HOW you want your mpc to sound - instead of just prescribing "open up the tip, bring down the baffle, etc." Which could theoretically lead you anywhere, if you weren't 100% sure what that would do to that mpc.

My only experience along these lines was in buying 2 Gregory Masters that had been refaced for someone else. Understandably perhaps, I was a bit underwhelmed.

[MojoBari]

I think a good reface initially satisfies, like, 90% of the players who get them. The other 10% are a mix of big and little disappointment. Some will send them back to a refacer for another shot. But this is only good if the refacer has a another plan in mind. Also, there is a real good chance that some players in the 10% expected too much. A mouthpiece will not give them instant "chops".

Some will send it to another refacer. This costs more $, but sometimes works well. It can confirm that the piece needed a little more work or it can confirm your practicing needs more work. I've worked on pieces refaced by others and have changed minor things to make them better for my clients. I would expect that some of my work will end up with other refacers and they will be able to make adjustments too. No one knows it all.

If you sense that the 10% people are trying to be polite by not posting their disappointment, I think that is going on. But a 90% chance that you are going to be satisfied are pretty good odds.

[Anonymous]

I thought K-Tel was showing "Instant Chops" on QVS this week!

Buy the "Tenor Chops" at the low, low price of $99 ($2,000 Canadian) and get "Alto Chops" and "Bari Chops" ABSOLUTELY FREE!

Apparently there is no such thing as "Soprano Chops".

Act today and receive, as our gift, an exact replica of the syringe that killed Charlie "Yardbird" Parker and a life-like puddle of plastic vomit, just like "Bird's" final up-chuck!.

[dragan32]

Dude, If you've ever known someone who's struggled with a drug abuse problem, or like me, had a friend who DIED as a result of one, you wouldnt make stupid jokes like that. Yeah, this place gets a little "happy" & people make some unintellegent posts, but why are you jumping on Mojo? He's aknowlegdable guy & has his own refacing website. Grow up & just keep spending your time selling over priced horns on eBay (or practicing--Ive heard you play & you still gotta a long way to go...)

[MojoBari]

I tool SelmerFudd's reply as a supportive illustration of the sillyness of looking for "instant chops".

It is tough to be humorus here without offending someone. I'm OK.

[Paul Coats]

It is helpful to a refacer for the customer to tell him:

What other mouthpieces he plays, which he likes and why, which he does not and why, sizes, etc.

What does he want from the refacing or mouthpiece modification?

What are the problem areas in his playing? Too resistant, not resistant enough? Weak top or bottom end? Tone wanted? Too much or too little edge?

[CashSax]

Yes they can be messed up..my 1st time for a reface I said make it "better" he says "what do you mean", I says "oh you know, like a bigger sound, brighter, easier response, mumble, mumble"..

Okay!! he says.. "I know what to do"..well evidently he didn't.. I got my favorite 7* link back stuffy and unplayable.I fought it for mos thinking I'd get used to it..never did..OK maybe I was too vague in what I asked for but, actually truth be told, the guy basically "sold" me the re-face idea while shopping for a used horn at his "shop". like sorta bragging to me how good he was with altering mpcs..Well I guess it sounded like a good idea at the time.. :(

[Thomas]

I've not been disappointed by refaces done by the big name guys we all know but have been dissappointed with pieces I've had custom built by some of the big name guys we all know-and I'm extremely detailed in my descriptions as to what I expect,it's very important to be. In their defense they're not mindreaders but should keep working on it,without complaint, till they get you what you want. In that case the $$ isn't an issue.