New Mpc suggestions

[Sax Ball]

Hi everyone. I'm currently looking for a new mouthpiece for my Martin tenor. I'm currently playing a 7* Otto link HR piece with Ultimate lig and while I really dig the sound, big, fat, sultry and fuzzy, it just doesn't cut it for the funk stuff I'm getting into and the way my sound concept in general is going.

So I'm after something a bit brighter and more centered with some good edge while still being nice and fat with the versatility to quiet down and remain sultry enough for trad ballads. I'm sort of wondering whether to look for a metal Link, an older Berg or something modern like a JJ ESP, SR Tech or Ponzol etc.

Thanks in advance for any help

[Dr_sax]

Why don´t you just try it first with a temp. Baffle. Cheap thing to see how much baffle you need. Just take some putty.

[dirty]

I would look into a metal link, around the same tip as you have. I can get mine to do traditional jazz to funk just by blowing a little differently. You might want to try a berg, too. If you can find a good one, I think a 110/2 has a similar amount of resistance to a Link 7*, and those can be nice too.

[rispoli]

So I'm after something a bit brighter and more centered with some good edge while still being nice and fat with the versatility to quiet down and remain sultry enough for trad ballads.


I play a The Martin Official Music Man tenor and my Jody Jazz ESP-X seems to give me what you are looking for. It's a marvellous piece. I came to prefer it to my older favorites, OL NY and V16 T77 and, let me warn you, it is not that bright. No dukoff, no M2+, it is much mellower than those.
If you were into dark playing I'd have suggested a Morgan Excalibur EL, which is the one I play the most on The Martin along with the JJ.

[sinkdraiN]

If your used to a link 7* you will love a Morgan Excalibur. The Morgan has all the fatness of a link but compacts and focuses the sound to really let it cut through. It's compact in the way a guardala is but much warmer. A V16 is my main piece but I find that the Morgan is easier to match the funky breckerish tone. It gets brighter as you push more air and never loses focus which is what you want for projection.

[gary]

I'll add to the confusion by saying I would suggest your playing all of the above suggestions, LOL.
In one way or another they all have qualities you seem to be looking for..only different. :roll:

I like a core Link sound with some added edge but that's just a general base from which to depart. At the moment, I'm switching between a 105 Ponzol M1 and a Berg 105 2 SMS and they both give me a good jazz sound as well as working really well in pop/R&B bands. Good body, good presence and not too shrill.

What to do, what to do, LOL.

[Mike Ruhl]

The Morgan Excalibur is a good suggestion. I'll make my usual suggestion of the Hite 128, as well. It's design is similar to the Excalibur (round chamber, slimline design that takes an alto ligature). When I got a Hite 128 three years ago, I put my 7* Florida Link STM in the drawer.

[EZ]

While I love super fat Links, I'm really digging the Dukoff H chamber. Low rollover like a Link, but a medium chamber. Nice low end with a bit more projection - not edgy by any means. There's a lot more to the Dukoff line than their edgy, bright D chamber.

[gary]

There's a lot more to the Dukoff line than their edgy, bright D chamber.
Right. Didn't Bobby Dukoff play one? ;)

[Grumps]

A good buddy of mine has a The Martin tenor and I've played it with both my rollover and high baffle RPC's. My buddy prefers the rollover, and bought one himself, but I really dug it with my high baffle RPC, and that might be the combo you're looking for. It's got plenty of edge, cut and volume from the baffle, but the large chamber will also give you that fat low end you're seeking and will enhance that natural Martin warmth. Keep an eye on the Marketplace or go to Ron's site and call him yourself for a custom made piece. http://www.saxmpc.com/

[BayviewSax]

Grumps, you stole my thunder. Get yourself an older RPC and end your search. I have a brand new piece and I'm not diggin' it too much... too bright. I can cut through anything, but I have a lot more control (and a deeper tone) from my older, .120 RPC (red letters) high baffle. Either way, the man makes a strong piece. But buy used unless you're made of time.

[Grumps]

I've got five RPC's now and have traded and/or sold about three or four others. I don't know if it's too safe to generalize the differences between the new and older style pieces. When picking these pieces up second hand, it's important to keep in mind that Ron may have customized the piece in question to cater to the particular needs of the initial purchaser. It may have even been sent back for adjustment by said initial purchaser before ending up on the second hand market. So there's going to be some variation in pieces. I've been lucky, having picked up mine on the second hand market and found styles and sizes that worked for me. There were a couple that didn't work for me, and had they been the first RPC's I tried, perhaps I wouldn't be recommending them today. So I guess to sum it up, the ideal way to get an RPC would be to order from Ron directly, but that may take three months (but you will get it). Should you go the second hand route, try to find out as much as you can about the history of the piece in question and whether or not it was initially a special order; and know that if it doesn't work for you, it may not be representative of Ron's pieces in general.

[BayviewSax]

Excellent point, Grumps. However my two favorite pieces are Custom pieces made for others, so don't fear those, as it is very hard to LOSE money on one of these pieces. The only point I would differ with you on is the time table of 3 months. That is HIGHLY optimistic. I've yet to wait less then 4-1/2 months for a piece ordered from Ron. Nice guy, but his customer service regarding turnaround leaves MUCH to be desired.

[Grumps]

Ron may be back down to three months, as reported by another SOTW member. He's acknowledged the past delays, and at least by that last account, is back on his timetable. To some, that's still a long time to wait, but as long as you know up front, I don't see a problem with it considering the quality of his pieces.

It's true though. It's hard to lose money on these pieces when buying/trading them on the second hand market. They're in demand and they hold their value. One might want to try one second hand, and if they like it, special order another to more preferred specifications. Then resell or trade the one they don't prefer.

[Dave dix]

I found my metal berg 100/1 plays nicely on my The martin tenor and on my old handcraft typewriter
Dave

[JL]

So I'm after something a bit brighter and more centered with some good edge while still being nice and fat with the versatility to quiet down and remain sultry enough for trad ballads.....

Reading this, I'll second, or third, the recommendation for an RPC. I've been playing one (.115 baffle) on my Aristocrat tenor for several months now and it is the most versatile piece I've played, with all the characteristics you describe in the quote above. I've tried a Martin tenor before and it reminded me of my Buescher, so I bet the RPC would be an excellent match for the Martin.

I'd recommend calling Ron and telling him exactly what you're looking for. He has a knack of making it to your specs. At least he did for me. And regarding the wait, well, if you don't order one, then those three or four months will go by anyway and you'll probably still be looking.......

[Sax Ball]

Wow... So many suggestions! I'll try and follow up as many of these as possible because I think Gary's right in saying they all have the qualities I want. Problem is I live in Australia, which severely limits my options for trying before buying. I think I'll look around e-bay and see what I can dredge up there before getting into talking to Ron about a mouthpiece etc. I'm in no rush to get this sound on tenor as I'm not YET playing much tenor in my funk band, It's mostly just my own desire currently ;) .