Should I return my new mouthpiece?

[mikeyska]

I just got a new Meyer 6M alto mouthpiece for Christmas. I opened it up and inspected it and found that the thickness of the rubber on the tip of the mouthpiece is not the same. The left side is thin and gradually gets thicker on the right side. Is there something wrong with it and should I return it?

[bruce bailey]

Yes.

[Martinman]

You could either play the great crapshoot of random exchange, send it to someone to reface for half again the cost of the mouthpiece, or try to get a full refund, and shop at a store and try before you buy. I know what I would do...

[mikeyska]

Thanks, I know I should have tryed it out first but it was supposed to be a present with some element of surprise. So I should definately return it?

[king koeller]

It really should be checked out on the gauges first.
Find a mouthpiece maker who can check it out.
Besides, how did it play? Believe it or not what really matters is how it plays.
It's a shame that the tip edge is uneven, but once it's measured by guy's like Ralph Morgan, Phil Barone, Ed , Pat Springer, or MOJO, you'll know if its correct on the gauge's, or misfaced.
Good Luck!

[bruce bailey]

Still, the tip is place where you may even feel the difference and since it is new, now is the time to return it. Why start with an imbalance? Even if it is refaced, the appearance may still be there.

[king koeller]

You know...
Maybe it's better to return it and start from scratch, and get a better piece to start out with ...

You see,
I always want to fix everything first, instead of returning things...

[Phil Barone]

I just got a new Meyer 6M alto mouthpiece for Christmas. I opened it up and inspected it and found that the thickness of the rubber on the tip of the mouthpiece is not the same. The left side is thin and gradually gets thicker on the right side. Is there something wrong with it and should I return it?

You should JUST go by the way it plays, nothing else. Phil

[shmuelyosef]

I have a Link NY that goes from about 1 mm to 2 mm thickness along the tip end; got it along with a bunch of others from a going-out-of-business sale at a music store. It was the best player of the bunch, and it's my loaner to students who want to try a 'traditional' metal tenor piece. It's a 7*, also very rough at the end of the window, but it's a real good player. It bothered me intellectually, but it blows nice...so whatever.

[Phil Barone]

You all would not BELIEVE what I have seen that plays GREAT. The saxophone is very forgiving like that and if you want to talk asymmetrical start taking a look at your reeds. For all the self-proclaimed experts, the blindfold test tells all and you will lose every time. So much is psychological. Which reminds me.

Had a customer that bought a solid silver Hollywood, plays it for a couple of years, drops it. The mouthpiece doesn't play anymore. He calls me up and makes an appointment to come over. I look at it, measure it, all that. I tell him it's fine, puts it on his horn and in about sixty seconds it's playing like new.

Charles McPherson comes over, gives me a mouthpiece, I do this I do that, I spend TEN hours doing this, doing that. He keeps saying "I feel like something is happening HERE" and points to the inside of the mouthpiece, I do this, I do that, give it back. Points to another spot, I take the mouthpiece back and I don't do anything, just pretend, hands it back and says "I feel like something is happening HERE" and points. I don't do a single thing, I fool him ten times. I say, F this, I can't help you let's eat.

I have MANY, MANY stories like that. That's why I'll only see players for one hour. Your head is spinning; you lose all perspective in X amount of time. I lose my perspective in fifteen minutes. Please don't spread folklore; it makes mine and everybody’s job harder that’s in the business. I'd like to add that you really don't know how a piece of equipment is going to play in a week once you've found the best reeds and once you get used to it. I've been doing this twenty-five years, I have nothing to gain, I have a long waiting list and I don't make a lot of money. Listen to me, practice and you will eclipse your equipment and history proves that. Phil

[jd]

You should JUST go by the way it plays, nothing else. Phil
right . play it..... then decide. sometimes poor looking pieces feel and play right.