Who Knows Zimberoff

[MAXSAX]

I listed (8/13/06) a Zimberoff 7*" house of note" hard rubber tenor sax mouthpiece on ebay and I can't find any information on these hard rubber models. I've seen Theo Wanns website but it seems to be talking about metal Dukoffs that went to Zimberoff.Anyone out there know about these? I took some nice photos check'em out.Also,I listed 2 Simpson Hollywoods by MCGregory a tenor and an alto I'd like to know when these were made.

[paulwl]

I listed (8/13/06) a Zimberoff 7*" house of note" hard rubber tenor sax mouthpiece on ebay and I can't find any information on these hard rubber models. I've seen Theo Wanns website but it seems to be talking about metal Dukoffs that went to Zimberoff.In putting together his pages, Theo tended to stick to what's most in demand - the high-dollar items people ask about. Maybe the rubber Zimbys don't carry the same mystique. How's it play?

[MAXSAX]

Hello Paul,Thanks for responding.The mouthpiece plays great with a full warm,and strong sound,a little sizzle up high,and a shade on the dark side on the bottom end a really fine Jazz mouthpiece.I think it's pretty free blowing .105 opening,carved rails,and large chamber take up air pretty fast it projects very well.This mouthpiece requires a strong diaphragm,and solid embouchure .It subtones really nice,and has great harmonics.I play Jazz (when I get the chance)on a Brilhart Personaline HR S6 I opened up to about .090 it has a brighter sound,and blows easier with a little more projection than the Zimby.It just fits my ear better.Do you know who made the Zimberoffs?

[MAXSAX]

Hello Paul,Thanks for responding.The mouthpiece plays great with a full warm,and strong sound,a little sizzle up high,and a shade on the dark side on the bottom end a really fine Jazz mouthpiece.I think it's pretty free blowing .105 opening,carved rails,and large chamber take up air pretty fast it projects very well.This mouthpiece requires a strong diaphragm,and solid embouchure .It subtones really nice,and has great harmonics.I play Jazz (when I get the chance)on a Brilhart Personaline HR S6 I opened up to about .090 it has a brighter sound,and blows easier with a little more projection than the Zimby.It just fits my ear better.Do you know who made the Zimberoffs?

[Tryptykon]

Hello Paul,Thanks for responding.The mouthpiece plays great with a full warm,and strong sound,a little sizzle up high,and a shade on the dark side on the bottom end a really fine Jazz mouthpiece.I think it's pretty free blowing .105 opening,carved rails,and large chamber take up air pretty fast it projects very well.This mouthpiece requires a strong diaphragm,and solid embouchure .It subtones really nice,and has great harmonics.I play Jazz (when I get the chance)on a Brilhart Personaline HR S6 I opened up to about .090 it has a brighter sound,and blows easier with a little more projection than the Zimby.It just fits my ear better.Do you know who made the Zimberoffs?

I seem to remember Theo Wanne having some backround info on who made
the Zimberoff blanks .. I wanna say the Woodwind Co., but maybe, not ?

I have HR Personaline L4 that I want to send to Ed Zentara, soon.
It's fairly closed now, but I can hear where it would be a very good 'piece
if opened up-- not sure how open he could get, though- it's pretty closed,
as it sits,now.

[MAXSAX]

Hello Tryptykon,Yes I have seen Theos site he mentions the brass BD Dukoff Hollywood 1949 and says 200 were made and that 100 of these were sold to Zimberoff who produced a mouthpiece under their own name,but he doesn't mention the hard rubber models.There is a photo of a fluted chamber Dukoff the tip and baffle area look very similar to my Zimberoff only it is not fluted.
My Personaline was originally about .080 opening it up really made it come to life.Originally someone had drilled through this Brilhart to install a pick-up mic (no not I) they did a terrible job of repair with some sort of glue trailing all the way to the tip rail. I ground up a Selmer S80 hard rubber piece for some dust and filled the hole.The original repairer had tried to clean the tip,but wound up nicking the tip instead.So,I opened it up til the nick was gone,and what a difference.Good Luck with yours.

[Tryptykon]

Hello Tryptykon,Yes I have seen Theos site he mentions the brass BD Dukoff Hollywood 1949 and says 200 were made and that 100 of these were sold to Zimberoff who produced a mouthpiece under their own name,but he doesn't mention the hard rubber models.There is a photo of a fluted chamber Dukoff the tip and baffle area look very similar to my Zimberoff only it is not fluted.


Ahh, that's right--now I remember . I've no idea about the HR Zimberoff's.



My Personaline was originally about .080 opening it up really made it come to life.Originally someone had drilled through this Brilhart to install a pick-up mic (no not I) they did a terrible job of repair with some sort of glue trailing all the way to the tip rail. I ground up a Selmer S80 hard rubber piece for some dust and filled the hole.The original repairer had tried to clean the tip,but wound up nicking the tip instead.So,I opened it up til the nick was gone,and what a difference.Good Luck with yours .

Thanks. I'm certain it'll turn out well in the hands of a good refacer.

About your S6: does it have the scooped or straight inner sidewalls ?
Also does the S stand for "small chamber".

My L4 actually, seems to be more of a medium chamber, and its sidewalls are
scooped like a Link-styled 'piece.

[MAXSAX]

Hello again Tryp,Yes the insides of the rail are carved out.I would say the chamber is mediumish sidewalls kind of funnel back a little bit into the chamber.Chamber seems to match the shank diameter.I'm not sure about Brilharts numbering system maybe the S&L stand for long or short facing length? Have to research that one.I'm fairly new to this site,and I see a lot of things have been discussed this might be one of them.Hope your piece turns out smokin.

[Tryptykon]

I think that is correct; I'd forgotten about that, but it had been pointed out
before--the letter indicates the facing length.

What Theo had to say re: the HR Personaline:

The hard rubber version had a slightly smaller round chamber than the one stamped 'hard rubber' on the shank, and also had a bit darker sound. These hard rubber mouthpieces can be VERY good mouthpieces.

[MAXSAX]

Thanks for the info Tryptykon. If you get a chance check out my mouthpiece sales on Ebay I think I took some pretty good photos (nice carved rails yeah!).My Ebay I.D. Is maxsax

[Tryptykon]

Will do, thanks !

[Chicken 'Lil]

I have a few of these hr pieces. They are the best HR pieces money can buy - if you can find them. I know Ben Zimberoff refaced them at his shop in LA back in the early 50's. The rubber is outstanding the facings were excellent. They only made about 50 hr pieces, according to Bobby Dukoff. This is rare and totally underappreciated.

[MAXSAX]

Tom ,What a blast talking to you about OlyWA,and those great players,great folks,my friends .Thanks for the info on the Zimberoff. I received another offer on the Zimberoff, but turned it down. So I guess it's back to shed for me. Look forward to meeting you ,and hearing you play some day.--Vince--