Want a new mouthpiece...

[Mikie F.]

Hey everyone. Well I decided that I should get a new mouth piece, because I want a new sound out of my horn. I play a SML Gold Medal Mk. 1, and I was wondering what kind of mouthpiece would go nicely with it.

P.S. I play alto.

Thanks!
--Mike

[BrianL]

Someone's probably going to beat me to telling you this, but you're gonna have to try out a bunch of pieces before you find one that gives you a tone you like. Another factor is this: What kind of a tone are you trying to get? Classical? Jazz? Funk? Some mouthpieces are more suited to some music styles than others. Just test a bunch of pieces til you find something you like.

But, to answer your immediate question, here's what I'll suggest:
Otto Link metal or rubber
Jody Jazz
Meyer (Cant fail with a Meyer)
Morgan

[colibri]

Most alto players are on rubber mouthpieces and some will even tell you never to use metal on alto, but I'd say go with what sounds good to you.

[Roger Aldridge]

I agree with Brian! What often happens with a question like this is that a lot of people jump in and just give their personal favorities. Trying out a selection of mouthpieces yourself and finding one or more that speak to you is the best way to go. Having said that, it would be helpful for you to be more specific about the kind of sound that you like. We could then try to narrow down our responses to that tonal quality.

All of the mouthpieces that Brian listed are excellent. They are definitely good pieces to try out. The only point where I'd differ is that I don't care for current production Meyers. This is just a personal preference. A lot of players like them. But, I don't think that they are as good as the old Meyers regarding the quality of the hard rubber, facing work, and design. Personally, I prefer a Morgan M (medium chamber) to the current Meyers. It plays more like an old Meyer...but with Ralph Morgan's special touches. I'd also suggest trying a Morgan EL (Excalibur large chamber). It combines the easy blowing response and flexibility of a medium chamber piece with the richer sound of a large chamber. It's a very impressive mouthpiece.

Good luck on your search!!! Please let us know what you end up with.

[Mikie F.]

Well if I was trying to get a sound close to someone, it would be Sanborn. I like a nice jazzy mouthpiecce, but I don't know where to start. So many out there. ;)

[SaxColuss]

Sanborn uses a Dukoff....get one,dude..

[John Robinson]

Sanborn uses a Dukoff....get one,dude..
Last I knew Dave used a Beechler #7 metal - worth a shot and probably easier to play...

[Balladeer]

The Dukoffs are very bright in a harsh way. Few people can control them like Sanborn. Also, Sanborn's mouthpiece is probably much better than what you will pull out of the Dukoff bin at WWBW. From what I read here, you'll have to try several Dukoffs to find one that is ok. My recommendation is Beechler Bellite. The Bellite will get into similar tone territory, and it plays real warm and smooth in the first octave and a half. You'll be able to blend with others easily, yet have the brilliance and power to rise above the group.

[Mikie F.]

I'm looking at some Dukoff's on the net right now. I was just wondering what kind I should get? D7? D8? If you want to see the site I'm looking at, the link is below.

http://www.brookmays.com/department.asp?prodcode=lb24

[Johannes Gerber]

What mouthpiece and tip opening are you playing on now?

Most Dukoff's are very badly finished.

JG

[Johannes Gerber]

What mouthpiece and tip opening are you playing on now?

Most Dukoff's are very badly finished.

JG

[MojoBari]

What do you play on now?

If you buy new, make sure you can return it. It would be best to get them to send you several to try. Or go to a store that has a bunch to try out. These are the only reasons to pay full price.

Most, like 75%, of the Dukoffs I've seen have significant problems. Maybe it is because I get them in trade or eBay and people are keeping the good ones, but i doubt it. Uneven facings, horrendous chamber anomilies, tip size way off. Tips can be +/- .020"! So it is not uncommon to find a D7 that is more open than a D8.

How can I not look like a wizzard refacing these?

[Mikie F.]

Well here's the story. My dad used to play alto, and decided he wanted to play soprano, so I picked up his alto. He got me a new MP when he gave it to me, but he still had 2 in his closet, that until 3 days ago, I didn't know existed. So I don't know much about the bear with me. The one he got me with the sax was a Vandoren A35 JAVA.

I found an Ideal? That's what it says on it. IDEAL Paris, France. Then on the other side, where you put the reed, is says FRANCE. Then near that, it says 3.

The other one I found was Berg Larsen. But there is writing below the brand, but it's sort of...faded out I guess? I mean it's a metal mouthpiece, but I guess the engraving wore down or something. Then on the reed side, is says...

95
0
M



I'm COMPLETELY clueless about them. Sorry :-/

--Mike

[MojoBari]

Well the Ideal sounds like it is what we call a stock mouthpiece (one that came with the sax). If it is not chipped at all on the tip and side rails, it may be the best choice for a beginner. A lot of beginners are started on 1.5 reeds, but I would favor starting on 2-2.5. But I do not teach for a living. I just know mouthpieces.

The Vandoren A35 is a step-up mouthpiece. A beginner may be able to start on it, but it is more suitable to someone who has played for 1-3 years or so. If it is in good shape, you may never need another mouthpiece.

The Berg 95 should be reserved for an experianced player. If it is near size, the tip is .095" open. That is the gap between the tip of the MP and the tip of the reed when the reed is at rest. This is very open for an alto mouthpiece. You may never want to play on one that large.

[Mikie F.]

I play on all 3 of them, and have quite a nice sound on each. I alternate on the song. I'm very capable of playing fairly open mp's. Anyway, I would be trying them out first, so I wouldn't just jump out and buy one. I would make sure I could play it :D Anyways. So you wouldnt go for a Dukoff? I mean it doesn't sound like they are great quality, if many of them (especially over half!) have faults. :roll:

[MojoBari]

Its OK to shop for a Dukoff, just be aware of what they can be like. For a Sanborn sound, it is easier to get it with a high baffle piece like the Dukoff D. You can also consider Vandoren Jumbo Javas, a Runyon Smoothbore or XL.

Actually, your Berg 95/0 may work fine if you can play it. By that I mean get all the notes and dynamics you want and control the pitch. Experiment with it to see if you can make an edgy sound on it. Play it LOUD. You can try a Platicover or Bari-brand reed on it. They tend to be buzzy and edgy.

There is a Japanese site where a player has a bunch of sound clips of his MP tests. He appears to be looking for the Sanborn sound since most of licks sound like that style.

http://mpcroom.hp.infoseek.co.jp/AltoMouthpiece.html

You can run it through bablefish to get a rough translation to English.

http://babel.altavista.com/tr

[Mikie F.]

Alright. Well I'm going to really test that mp today and see if I can get it. I've gotten somewhat in his ballpark before, but I'm REALLY looking to try to duplicate it, or get very close. Well thanks for all the opinions, tip, and help guys!

--Mike