Facing Curve Significance?

[gary]

I've recently been playing an SMS Berg mpc. Based on the following description of facing types from the Berg site, I am assuming I have, to date, been playing mouthpieces with "American" facings (Jody Jazz, Meyer, Ponzol):

"The term 'SMS' or 'M' indicates the choice of facing. The SMS, or French facing is usually shorter with a steeper curve. The 'M' or American facing is slightly longer with a flatter type curve."

Could someone please tell me the differences in playing characteristics, such as response, articulation, etc. between the two? Thanks.

[singlereed]

I think the definition you gave there is from Berg Larsen and they don't even keep to it themselves! I use an Berg SMS baritone piece and yet I am a fan of longer flatter facings, which I tend to associate with certain French mouthpieces, especially Selmer. So there you go, there is no standard amongst manufacturers any more than there is about tip opening numbers. Personally, I can play Meyer, Selmer, Runyon, most Vandoren, Bari, some Berg Larsen but not Otto Link, Beechler and a few others that to me seem to have shorter facings. I say 'seem to me' because I am sure it depends on your embouchure, the tip opening you are trying and the type of reed you use.

[MojoBari]

Short facings are said to favor the high notes, long facing the low notes. But if you construct a good medium-long or long facing curve, you get both. But a good short facing curve often has poor low note response and/or no subtone ability.

Berg facings seem to vary more from piece to piece than they do from M to SMS.

[gary]

Thanks guys. The low notes on my Berg are wonderful. When I bought it, I was told that it had been refaced, though, so maybe practically speaking the curve is not so significant in this case.

I just noticed one thing that surprised me and that's that the two tenor mpc's I seem to be going between these days, a Ponzol and a Berg are both 105 openings, both (I thought) had medium baffles (the Ponzol is an M1 baffle and the Berg is a #2 baffle) yet they don't take the same strength reeds. I need a softer reed for the Ponzol than the Berg. Hmm.

[MojoBari]

The Berg is probably .010" or so smaller than marked.

[gary]

The Berg is probably .010" or so smaller than marked.LOL. Quality control, as it were, wot?! 8-)