Your favorite soprano metal MPC

[MB-913]

For Jazz - Standard, Contemporary & Smooth Jazz. Which is your favorite soprano 'Metal' mouthpiece ? How's the sound you think ?

Lawton P, B, PP Chamber, Beechler Bellite, Otto Link STM, Philp Barone, Dukoff, ESP (just came out to the market), Yanagisawa Metal, Selmer Metal,.....etc.

[saxmanglen]

Jody Jazz's ESP, WOW


I'm really digging the 80 size piece with 2 1/2 size reeds. Give one a blow and let us know what you think.

[Dr G]

My favorite METAL sop mouthpiece is the one that holds my door open. :shock: I used to use a Dukoff tenor D7 for that function but it was too obtrusive. :)

I find a hard rubber Bari .068" (refaced by Jon Van Wie) to do it all on the sop (Selmer Serie III). Why the emphasis on material? It's the geometry that matters. Do you actually think that metal makes a mouthpiece brighter or better? Ever played a Selmer metal sop 'piece? I have an old "E" that is much darker than several of my hard rubber mouthpieces.

Ah well, if you really want to know my last favorite metal sop 'piece, it was a sterling silver Barone Hollywood. It's now on the end of someone else's sop. 8)

[Dave Dolson]

Again, I must agree with Dr G. I've owned and played a variety of metal sop pieces, but my hard-rubber Super Sessions are SO much more superior, at least with my chops. My latest test was a metal Selmer in F - no contest for the SS. DAVE

[Roger McWilliams]

Yep, that silver Barone Hollywood that Dr. G mentions is on the end of my soprano. I used to like the Selmer Super Session J piece best, but for some reason the Barone just fits my mouth well and gets close to the Lester Young tone I seek. The material of the piece is immaterial. It's all about geometry, the curves, isn't it?

If anyone thinks material in a mouthpiece matters, take a look at the study I did on that in my physics laboratory. The study is posted at http://hal9000.ps.uci.edu/Presentations.htm . Feel free to disagree.

[MB-913]

Dr G, Roger McWilliams

It's very interesting. I'm looking for a new metal soprano MPC for my Yamaha Custom YSS-675 silver. Initially my choice is a Lawton B chamber. I owned a Lawton P before, which sounds very special, real big dark sound but too dark for me. I prefer a little bit brilliant tone but too bright & edge like STM soprano MPC is never muy choice (I know someone may not recognize this).


Have you ever compare with a Lawton B silver with a Barone silver Hollywood ?
You know Barone is much expensive than Lawton.
Can you describe how's the difference in sound between these two MPC ?

[pinoysax]

I'm using Dukoff D7...with fibracel MS....haven't tried other metal mpc....anybody knows better combination for this setup?... :roll: ...

[SaxyAcoustician]

MB-913,

I just got a Beechler 9 metal and a Bari 8 metal for my soprano (similar mouthpieces used by Eric Marienthal). They are very good pieces. I get much more flexibility with them than my Selmer E metal (classical) that I've been using for so many years. They're dark yet have that edge I so love on saxophone. Good luck on your search. Always tough, this mouthpiece thing.

[MB-913]

SaxyAcoustician

I also got a Beechler Bellite Metal #7 soprano MPC. First the sound is not what I like. Second, the tip is very narrow, I need to squeeze my mouth.
For Bari Gold (I guess you are talking about this), I've never try before.
For Selmer Metal, it's very Classical music sound, not I want.

I think my target is a Lawton B Chamber. The tip is not too narrow but not too width, I feel comfortable on it if it's like their P chamber (I owned before but sounds too dark, I sold to my friend). Also, most Lawton are well made, not need to make any reface or modification. However, it' not cheaper, I'm not sure if I like the sound or not if cannot test it. Unfortunately, I need to mail order this MPC, cannot test.

BTW, can you tell me compare the sound with Beechler Bellite Metal & Bari Gold, which is more bright ?

[Stencilman]

I'd recommend a Runyon Quantum Metal Spoiler or a Smooth Bore. The Quantum has an open chamber and medium-high baffle. These are great all around mouthpieces and are ideal for getting some edge on vintage horns. The Runyon Smooth Bore is brighter with a high front baffle. With both mouthpieces, the spoiler lets you change the brightness.

On soprano, I've moved away from small chamber mouthpieces like the Dukoff D and Runyon XL.

[JimMetcalf]

I am a primary tenor player-so use a full airstream. Most "player friendly" piece I have found is the Lawton Stainless 9B. Have a Yanigasawa 9 -good intonation but a lot of resistance. (good) Dukoff D7 is a bit close for me(better)-so the Lawton 9B.(BEST) (I use bari* hard reeds)

[Morry]

I really like my new Yani metal on my JK SX90II soprano. Fairly rich sound, and easy to control.

[dingfelder]

runyon spoiler

[Jack W.]

Favorite metal soprano mpc? That's easy: Lawton 6*B. I also have a metal Link which is loud as you-know-what and gives very easy palm key notes, but the Lawton seems to have more refinement. I can use it for concert band or classical type playing with no problem.

Actually I've been trying and trying to find a HR soprano mpc that I like. The closest I've come is the Super Session, but it doesn't work on my Conn stencil soprano in the intonation department (at least in my hands). I may try one again soon when the Antigua Winds A590LQ comes in next week, though I expect that the Antigua, like most modern saxes in my experience, will not be very picky about mpcs. I could be wrong, we will see!

[Dr G]

Have you ever compare with a Lawton B silver with a Barone silver Hollywood ?
You know Barone is much expensive than Lawton.

The Barone was made of solid silver, the Lawton is silverplated. Perhaps that will help explain some of the difference in cost. That aside, even Phil says that there is no difference in sound from the choice of materials.

From my experience with the tenor 'pieces - I have played (and owned) MANY Lawtons (including silverplate 8*B) and Barones (NY, Hollywood, Jazz, silver Jazz) - the Lawton B is brighter than the Barone Hollywood. I actually would be happy with either one if I were working in that sound spectrum.

[Durand]

I have found that for me, Rico metalite works excelent.
It's not a metal mpc but it works like that, and its easy to blow and control in low register. On alto, metalite doesn't work as well for me.

[citizn cane]

Metal Otto Link, STM, 7*. Large, round chamber is the key. Once you get into narrower chambers, that duck starts to quack.