Guardala Studio vs. Ponzol M2

[Nefertiti]

Anyone else have opinions on how these 2 compare. I have a Studio on loan from WW&BW. I like it alot surprisingly. For that bright loud sound. Is the M2 something I should try too? Is there a big difference between the two?

[T.J]

I currently play on a Ponzol M2 90 w/ Rovner lig, and to my surprise it isn't bright at all. It has high baffle small chamber, but the level of 'brightness' is comparable to a Vandoren Java or a Dukoff 'M' model. I don't know about the current production of Guardalas, but the Ponzol M2 has very compact, centered sound. I've just ordered the Olegature to brighten it up, and should look cool as it matches with the gold color on Ponzol. :)

[Subtone Sam]

I play a Studio (lazertrimmed) and have tried both M2 and M2+.Studio is brighter and louder than the Ponzols.Even the M2+ was not really bright at all,imo.Basic tone quality between DGs and Ponzols are quite different.M2 or M2+ might be better for all-around playing but Studio is hard to beat when it comes to rock and altissimo playing.Even if Guardala says Studio can be used for "swing to fusion",I think its too bright for swing.Personally,I didn´t buy the Ponzols but would not sell the Studio,its a great piece.

[Nefertiti]

I played a lasertrimmed studio last night. It played really really well. Very loud but not overly bright I don't think. I used to have a Super Gonz II and a Guardala Brecker II that to me had more of a bright sound.They would hurt my ears. This studio is bright but it seems to boost the mids more. I used a rovner dark lig and a Superial DC reed 3 1/2 on it. I tried the metal lig and a rico royal and it had more of the bright sound to it. The hardest thing was balancing the volume. There is so much more of a variation from soft to loud.I actually am happy with my ESP and links but I have an itch to have one really good high baffle piece in my arsenal for those special occassions :lol: Let me know if anyone else has any thoughts on these two pieces. Also this studio is much easier to play for me than the Brecker II was. I can't understand why people are paying so much for them. If they were so good there wouldn't be so many for sale.

[Chris-Sax]

Nefertiti, I have just ordered a Guardala studio (silver) will take a week or so to arrive from the U.S! Do you have any other experiances or feelings about this mouthpiece? it would be great to know what im in for! Im a huge Brecker fan + i listen to alot of Bill Evans (sax), who also uses a Guardala studio!
Thanks Chris! 8)

[Bari Gordon]

I was fortunate to have a Ponzol M2 120, a laser trimmed Guardala SKRB, and two Lambersons (8DD and 8SB) in my possession at one time. I have since traded the Guardala SKRB for permanent possession of the Lamberson 8DD and both of us are happy with the deal.

I really like the sound of the Ponzol. It projects well, can be bright or dark, and can subtone really well. It is very consistent and reed friendly. Although I use the Lambersons more often, I rotate in the Ponzol regularly and am pleased with it.

The Guardala also played nicely. What I really liked about it was the way it seemed to make every note pop out in a tounged phrase--very responsive. I was impressed that it could get very nice subtone, what with its reputation of being a bright piece. I traded it because I had too many mouthpieces that were similar (the ponzol, a Yani Metal 9, and a Dukoff D7) and the Lamberson 8DD (an older model) was so unique.

[Noel Mac]

I have never played the ponzol M2 but I do own a HR custom which is supposed to be the M2 in rubber. It can get bright when you push it but for the most part I find it to be a very good all around piece.

I just got a Guardala Laser-trimmed studio and I love it. I don't find it too bright at all. But I think I will try out some M2's this next weekend to see what they are like.

[tomsch]

Bari Gordon - What is the tone difference between the Ponzol M2 and the Lambersons DD?

[Bari Gordon]

The Lamberson 8DD that I have is an older one. It's baffle was made with epoxy I think. The 8SB is made with Fred's newer blanks and I purchased it used on ebay. I had a problem with it chirping and sent it to him to look at the table & facing. When I got it back I liked what he had done so much that I sent the 8DD for a tune-up. When I get the 8DD back, I'll repost.

One of the differences is the way the pieces feel. The older 8DD has more of a clarinet style beak, whereas the newer 8SB is scooped out (duckbilled?) and IMHO more comfortable to play. They both use HR alto ligatures so are fairly streamline. The 8SB tip is sharply pointed as opposed to the Ponzol which is relatively blunt. The 8SB is longer than the Ponzol.

The 8SB plays as bright as I want--brighter than the Ponzol M2 120. In fact, I thought that the 8SB was brighter than the 8DD--so it will be interesting to compare them after Fred has resurfaced the 8DD.

No matter what, metal and plastic feel different. Even if a listener doesn't hear much difference, the response and inner tone to the player is there. The hard rubber to me sounds dryer than the metal, and the metal in turn sounds warmer. Set up with a good reed, all three respond well in all registers and play great altissimo. I think the Lambersons can get louder than the Ponzol, but all three can be played soft & pretty.