View Full Version : Morgan M chamber
Is there a Morgan M user out there that can tell me the relative size of the medium chamber. It say's in the description that it is a "squeezed" throat. Does this mean it is a pea shooter or is it more along the lines of a Jody Jazz HR and Selmer? I am trying rollover pieces right now and am really digging the Jody Jazz. I wonder if it's because of the slightly smaller chamber. However, I feel I need to try a Morgan if I am trying these types of pieces. Thanks a lot.
Oh yeah. If the chamber is slightly smaller than an L and not a pea shooter, what size should I try. I'm looking at an 8 but from doing a lot of reading it seems these pieces were more designed to be a 6 or 7. Any insight would be greatly appreciated?
TJS,
This is one of my favorite topics! I would suggest a Morgan M for anyone looking for a sound that is a little more focused and a little brighter than a Link (or other large round chamber low baffle Link type piece including a Morgan L). I use a 7M (for almost 10 years now), have an 8M, and am waiting on delivery for a 6M. They all play the same, it's just a matter of narrowing down the match between reed stregnth and tip opening for me. So far, a Java 3 with the 7M seems the closest.
The real difference in the chamber is most noticeable when looking in the butt/shank end of the piece. The throat is smaller than on the L model, but is still perfectly round and smooth. The chamber/baffle seem to be identical between the L and M, its the narrower throat that seems to be the main difference. You can feel the difference between an L and M when you run your little finger through the window and into the throat. The facings are impeccable, and all will be very responsive. I would not call them pea-shooters. The design provides a little brighter sound with more focus than a Link. I think that's what most people are looking for (brilliance/focus) when they try baffled pieces, but this design provides this some more brilliance and focus without the thin upper register, sharp palm keys, and harsh/brittle sound of a high baffle. Because the chamber is still round and the baffle is still low, it is very warm, very easy to control, and surprisingly flexible.
You do not need hard reeds or real big tips for these to work. They have slim beaks to facilitate taking a lot of the piece into your mouth. Taking a lot of the piece, really getting your chin/jaw down, and using medium reeds with medium tip openings and playing with a "warm breath" really makes these M models sing. In my opinion, this is how you should play any piece. Also, cuts like Java or regular Superials seem to work better than things like RJS, V16, or DC's.
The result should be a warm, open (still big sound) with plenty of focus, center, brilliance, and flexibilty to create a sound to fit most styles of music.
This is my experience with them, but others may vary. I am fortunate that I have been able to discuss some of this with Ralph. I highly recommend them!
I hope you find this info helpful!
Roger "THE Morgan Expert" Aldridge - are you out there??? Any input to add?????
super20dan
12-24-2005, 02:00 AM
rodger only likes the L and el . i have tried for years to convert him to the m. this is morgans masterpeice if you ask me. truly a great tenor mpc. the above post give s a great description of this mpc. nothing else to add
I can't believe it. When I went back to wwbw to order an 8M they were sold out. I ordered a 9M. We'll see. Thanks.
bruce bailey
12-24-2005, 06:04 AM
OK, I am considering getting either an E or EL (6) to add in addition to my slant Link. Which is the more popular. On alto I like the SS or the S-80 and on Tenor I have a slant HR 6* that is around .093. I was leaning in the EL direction. Any feedback?
tonyg
12-24-2005, 06:57 PM
I have both the JJ HR* 6* and Morgan 6M tenor pieces. Took a good look at the insides for comparison and they are very similar, interestingly the throat area is larger on the Morgan.
As mentioned above the Morgan 6M has a more focused and a bit brighter sound compared to the JJ HR*, one of the things I like about it is that it isn't harsh sounding even when pushed, and the tuning is very good. I tried the 7E and 7EL version but prefered the 6M.
Bruce,
The E and EL are 2 different animals. The E is identical to an M, but with much thinner walls, making for a slightly brighter sound. The EL is identical to the L but with thinner walls. Both are very flexible and allow you to create many different sounds. If you are looking to come close to your slant, probably the EL over the E, but you should try both. The E might be a little bright to match your slant. There is no subistute for you trying both.
Tonyg, what strength reed are you using for the 6M?
Mike Ruhl
12-27-2005, 03:00 AM
carr - that was a great description. fwiw, the Hite 128 is of similar design to the Morgan M.
rispoli
12-27-2005, 09:43 AM
carr - that was a great description. fwiw, the Hite 128 is of similar design to the Morgan M.
What is frightening about the Hite is that is now made by Babbitt.....
Anyways, wwbw has a safe return policy, I think I'll order one together with a Meyer G.
Mike Ruhl
12-27-2005, 12:17 PM
What is frightening about the Hite is that is now made by Babbitt.....
Anyways, wwbw has a safe return policy, I think I'll order one together with a Meyer G.It was always made by Babbitt. The Hites did the hand-finishing, that's all. Since Mr. Hite passed away, Mrs. Hite sold the business to Babbitt. The only difference now will be where they're finished.
As this thread illustrates, it's really the chamber design that dictates a mouthpiece's true character. Ralph Morgan understands this, as did David Hite, obviously. I wouldn't hestitate to buy another Hite mpc. That is, unless I decided to buy a Morgan instead. :wink:
Don't let all trash-talk about Babbitt fool you. They know what they're doing.
tonyg
12-28-2005, 02:18 AM
Carr, I am currently using rico jazz select 2Ms. Ralph's chart for the 6M mpc I have, recommends a reed strength in the 2-3 range, although I think it all comes down to preference. I tend to always play softer reeds so thats not due to this specific mpc.
Tony
Mike, Have you ever played a Morgan M? I'm curous as to what you thought of them. There have been many occasions when I have read your praises of the Hite and thought "Gee, I bet he would like a Morgan M". I've even thought of suggesting you try one, but have never gotten around to it.
I owned a Hite several years ago, and I was stupid to get rid of it. I could use that peice for any style of music. It was a great piece, but I still prefered the Morgan in the end.
Tonyg, it's nice to see someone else who does not use big tip openings and hard reeds.
jazzbluescat
12-31-2005, 12:18 AM
I can't believe it. When I went back to wwbw to order an 8M they were sold out. I ordered a 9M. We'll see. Thanks.
Just curious: Did you order only one, or did you order multiple to pick the best? [I selected my NY Link from a group of three. (Am glad I did because they all blew quite differently.)]
Thanks.
I only ordered one but probably should have ordered more. It came today and I don't like it at all. Oh well.
TJS, what did you not like about it?
It was really stuffy and hard to play. Maybe it's a bad one or maybe it's too big but I just didn't like it. I tried a bunch of different reeds on it and found nothing I liked. I have a Vintage on soprano and love it and plan on trying one of those for tenor as well. I have a feeling I would have liked the 8 better. Oh well.
jazzbluescat
01-01-2006, 07:33 PM
It was really stuffy and hard to play. Maybe it's a bad one or maybe it's too big but I just didn't like it. I tried a bunch of different reeds on it and found nothing I liked. I have a Vintage on soprano and love it and plan on trying one of those for tenor as well. I have a feeling I would have liked the 8 better. Oh well.
Stuffiness is what I found with some of the Links, too. I mean, like a sock stuffed in neck/horn somewhere, ridiculous.
Thanks for your reply.
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