High-baffle metal mouthpiece for bari?

[Subtone Sam]

I'm looking for one.There are several I've been thinking about,Lawton BB,Dukoff D,Runyon metal Q etc.Any recommendations? I would probably get one with bigger tip opening (.125-.135) because of the hígh-baffle.I'm currently playing on steel Berg 125/1 sms and looking for something a tad brighter,yet still easy to play.

[melvyng]

I tried a Lawton 6*BB, 6*B, Berg 130/110, Yanagisawa 7 and a Lamberson 7SB when I was shopping for a piece for my Yani 992 bari.

The Lamberson roared but I had trouble playing in tune through the whole range of the horn.

Surprisingly the Lawton 6*B was more edgy and powerful than the 6*BB, go figure. I bought the 6*B and I do love it, been playing it for about 6 months now in a big band. I too am a fan of the Ronnie Cuber sound.

I didn't care for the Berg but don't remember why.

I bought the Yani 7 rubber piece for in case I do any theatre or concert band work. It's not as aggressive sounding as the Lawton but plays well and in tune through the whole range.

Mel

[MojoBari]

You picked out good candidates. I would add a Delrin Quantum to the list if you want something a little brighter than the metal Q. A Juaguar or RIA if you want something a little darker. To me, the Lamberson SB was darker. So was a Berg HR 2 baffle. I haven't tried a Lam BB or Duk on bari.

[Subtone Sam]

Thanks for your comment,melvyng&mojo.

I have a Lawton for bari too,a 7*B.It plays fine but I'm still looking for something a tad brighter.I've had couple of high-baffle pieces for bari in the past and they were quite difficult to play but since I'm looking for a bit brighter sound with more projection,I'm willing to give them another try.

I'm actually thinking about Dukoff Ds since they are relatively cheap and if they don't play well enough out of the box,they can be made to play well.I used to have a D7 for bari for a while but that didn't play well at all,the tip was only around .100 so I'm loooking for a D9 or even D10.I'm not looking for a big-band piece,I have some I can use for that kind of work but a solo bari piece in R&B vein.

[shmuelyosef]

To me, the Lamberson SB was darker.

I'm amazed at how different everyone is...I play a Lamberson SB on bari for R&B/rock gigs. It has the richness of a large chamber, but I find it very bright, especially above G2. When I need a darker, more blending piece, I still fall back on my HR Berg 110/1...I consider that 'darker' than the SB.

[MojoBari]

I did not want to imply that the SB was dark, just darker than some of the other bright high-baffle pieces. Bergs vary a lot.

[super20dan]

sam -as a long time r&roll bari player i have been tru a lot of high baffell mpcs and the ponzel custom is the bomb! hands down the best -bright and very easy to play .i urge you to try one of these

[RS]

The Lawton BB chamber has good edge and power and responds well throughout the whole range of the horn. I played one for about ten years then switched to a rubber RIA which gave me a fatter sound though I had to work harder to get the same volume. Then I started experimenting with add-on baffles like powertones and spoilers. The spoilers work well in the RIA but the powertones don't do much. I now use an epoxy baffle that I got from Mojo. It brings the RIA close to perfection--lots of power, enough edge, and a nice mellow sound when I back off. But for something right out of the box the Lawton is hard to beat.

[1saxman]

Go ahead and at least try a Runyon Metal Quantum Spoiler, maybe a 12. Make sure you get the optional plastic beak insert - otherwise it'll come with a thick rubber patch on the beak, which is just like an old Level Air. With the hard insert it has the same comfort of the Level Air but delivers a much more sophisticated sound. I don't play one, but I really liked the one I tried. My problem was my old Martin bari goes sharp in the high notes and needs a larger-chamber piece than the Quantum. On a modern bari (Selmer-style, not necessarily new) the Q should be hard to beat. I didn't need the spoiler although it really puts the blast on.

[MojoBari]

Quantums have medium sized chambers (using Theo's defs). They are the same diameter as the the cork (like most MPs) until they get to the high baffle.

For sharp palm keys, a smaller chambered, long shank piece should be used. This allows the player to pull out more to tune the palm keys while obtaining the proper chamber volume for the rest of the sax.

[Bootman]

Lamberson 8DD with a Plasticover reed is very dark, huge and thunderous. An RPC with a baffle is a good option.

Lawtons, Quantums, Jaguars are all good. Have a go at most of these mpcs. Ed Pillinger has the numbers for most of my JVW modifed mpcs here.

[JimMetcalf]

Sam,

I have a SS Lawton 6*BB that is very easy playing(use Bari* med reed) for small groups and when I want a bit more dark power switch to my Lawton 8B with a Bari* Med reed. The 8B takes a bit more air-but seems to be as bright as the BB plus has a more raw big Fat Sound. For big band-it can make the trumpets cringe! Sax is a Yamaha 52 and both Lawtons play best when almost covering entire cork.