Martin Mouthpiece Combos....Looking for love

[Sigmund451]

Im currently playing a THE MARTIN 1958 vintage tenor with an otto link NY (current run). I really like it, the dynamics and projection are great but Im looking for a sister mouthpiece that is demeur, velvety, Dark, and sweet. Any one out there got any ideas? .....and preferably ones that dont cost a freaking fortune like some of the 2 and 3 bill vintage units....wallet is too thin for that.
thanks

[Bootman]

Tenor or Alto?
Tenor,
try a Ponzol M2 or a Lawton B chamber or a Guardala SKRB. I have a '57 tenor which is the best RnB? Rock horn I own which when coupled with a SKRB and a Plasticover 3 1/2 will blow down brick walls.

Alto,
Try a JJ ESP, Lawton B chamber or a Bari Richie Cole modified. Selmer mpcs also play well if youcan find a good one with even rails, tip and window.

[Sigmund451]

Tenor sax...sorry I wasnt clear. I thus far havent found a selmer I care for too much.

[Alan G]

Don't laugh at me now... but for that dark, sweet sound I use a stock Martin tenor MP. This is a mid 50's model. They pop up on ebay all the time. Not too much $$$.

On alto - the newer stock Martin MP is similar to a Meyer 5m, with a little less edge. I don't have a tenor Meyer to compare with the Martin.

Good luck on the search!!!

[Sigmund451]

Actually Alan, the guys at WorldWideSax.com gave me some of the same advice... so your right in there with the experts. I will keep my eyes out for one. They are on ebay all the time except for when I want one and they are ususally cheap. Thanks for affirming what I was already told. I had a couple of other suggestions but I just cant drop 250 on a Mpc...just gives me a pain in the stomache!

[Alan G]

Awesome!

As I consider myself an "Idiot"...it's really nice to know that my info is valid!

Do note there is a diff between the early and later versions. The better ones have the Martin logo on the body of the MP, not the shank area. A friend tried my alto MP, then bought one of of ebay that was an early version - and was quite disappointed.

Good Luck!

[Stencilman]

Yes, I have a few Martin mouthpieces and they ain't bad. My favorite is an alto Martin piece that looked like an animal chewed on it. JB Weld to the rescue to reform the tip and rails, then a little more to make a medium-high baffle. The result is a great all-around jazz mouthpiece, a little too closed for my taste, but in my top 5 alto mouthpieces.

[Bootman]

Old Links can play well on these Martin tenors for a Jazz sound. Ponzol M2, Guardala, Dukoff, Quantum, RPC 150 is fantastic too. The Jaguar is also a nice option.

My Lawton 8*BB is a nice option but it never responds as well on the Martin as it does on the Keilwerth or Buescher.

[Honeyboy]

I have a Brilhart plastic 4* tenor piece I bought around 1977. It sounds dark, almost cello-like on my mid 50's The Martin. This doesn't have a serial number on it so I think they are sold pretty cheap. Even some of the serial numbered ones are available for $100.00 or less- see Saxquest.com and similar websites.