How long does it take to trial a MPC?

[Jazzed]

How long does it take for you to decide to keep or pass on a mouthpiece? Do you know right away if a mpc isn't going to work for you?

I've recently picked up a few new-to-me mouthpieces. A couple of them seem like they are just not what I'm looking for as soon as I put them on my horns. Tried a few different types of reeds, tried them on a different horn (I have 3 tenors at them moment). I feel like I should try to live with them for a while, but each time I play them my first impression returns and I switch to my old mpc's rather than endure the sound and/or response I do not care for.

[ving]

Depends on various factors, the first being the size of the opening--I can tell straight away if its too small or large, and I can eliminate a piece quickly based on that. Other design factors matter as well, what kind of chamber, and the material--or the physical feel of the mouthpiece. If those are all in line with what I prefer, I can play piece for a few days and tell if its something I will want to keep playing on...and it helps to play a piece in a bunch of different settings to really be able to tell what it will work best for...

[Pete Thomas]

It can vary, but usually a few days, sometimes a couple of weeks. Often you have to get used to a different way of playing. It's odd - my tenor mouthpiece (an RPC) I knew straight away that it was for me so ordered an alto RPC, but didn't like it - it seemed to be too edgy. The problem was I was playing it in exactly the same way I'd been playing my Selmer and I think with that one I'd been taking quite a lot of the mouthpiece into my mouth to get more edge. After awhile I stopped doing this with the RPC, tried it a bit further out from my mouth and - hey presto - suddenly it worked beautifully.

So again, in answer to the question, it can vary A LOT. The important thing is to keep an open mind and not assume you have to carry your bad habits over from one mouthpiece to another.

[JL]

I can usually eliminate one that I don't like immediately. If I do like one, then I need to play it for a few days to fully adjust and also to try it in different settings. I generally have to play it on a gig or jam session to make sure it will really do the job.

[Dr G]

I can usually eliminate one that I don't like immediately. If I do like one, then I need to play it for a few days to fully adjust and also to try it in different settings.

Exactly. A bad or mediocre one is immediately obvious. If it is a contender for "great", it needs to be compared critically against my best 'pieces in a variety of settings - not just the mouthpiece friendly ones. For the potentially great mouthpieces, I do my best to find the best reeds to complement the mouthpiece as well and that is not always going to be the reeds that work best on my other mouthpieces.

I guess this is the reason that I buy a lot of mouthpieces since the usual trial period is only sufficient to weed out the dogs. It also means that if I have mouthpieces for sale, they made it past the trial period but failed to meet my every need over time.

[Danstr]

My experience on alto was similar to Pete's posting. I played a hard rubber Beechler m7S for about 10 years. I decided to try out a Morgan Jazz piece. When I first started playing it, the piece played well but seemed really bright & edgy. I decided to work with it for a while and was able to adjust to it in a rather short amount of time. It is a very nice piece.

[Rackety Sax]

Excellent question, and so far, excellent answers. Another variable is how clear is your concept of what you are looking for in a mouthpiece.

I think people too often shortchange what a serious mouthpiece trial entails. The responses above ought to help rectify this.

[shmuelyosef]

Similarly, the crap sorts out immediately. Generally, I try new mouthpieces because I'm looking to access something I can't get with the piece I'm using. I sort it to wanting perhaps a slimmer beak, or a bigger chamber, or more baffle or less baffle near the tip, etc...I have long ago found the range of tip openings that work for me on different horns (S-.070, A-.085, T-.105, B-.110). Then, I have to devote myself to getting all I can out of the new design, because my playing habits are fitted to 'old familiar'. Then, when I think I've really got and I'm starting to like the new piece, I A/B against my standard. It is rare that the result is to change my longterm piece.

[Jazzed]

Thank you all for your insightful responses. You have really helped me and hopefully many others here. It looks like I'll have some mpcs for sale soon.