Big vs small Mpc's

[Coufman]

Since adding the sop (alto & bari), I have noticed that the smaller size of the sop mpc still doesn't feel right to me. My Bari Esprit is bigger than my other mpc and is more comfortable, but I was wondering if others have the same problem. I have considered adding a thick Runyon mpc patch to see if that helps.

Also, which mpc's are known to be larger than others? I had someone tell me that the Runyon Custom (I was thinking of getting one) is fairly small for some people.

I will probably use WWBW's option to try several pieces at a time, but I am seeking opinions first to help with the choices.

[rrex54]

The Runyon Custom 6 is not small -- it's tiny. (See a similar comment in the Bari Esprit thread.) I know of no soprano mouthpiece smaller. It is just wide enough for the standard reed -- although I have some Eugene Rousseau reeds that were actually a little wider than the mouthpiece. I sold the Custom precisely because it was so uncomfortably small. I also like a dark sound and play vintage sops. While the piece played wonderfully in tune on my horns and can provide a reasonably dark sound, I found the sound thin for my tastes.

I have not played the Esprit sop piece so I can't help much comparatively. But of the other pieces I have played: vintage Conn Eagle, vintage Conn adjustable, vintage Buescher, vintage Goldbeck/Kaspar (metal), vintage no-name stubby, modern Meyer, and modern Vandoren S15, I think the S15 is the largest. I sold the Meyer (a great playing piece! -- in a 9 tip!), so cannot remember much about the size, but think that was a bit larger. Of the vintage pieces, the Conn Eagle is the largest I've played -- nice dark sound.

Other than the Runyon, I have not had any problems adjusting to the smaller sop pieces, including the Buescher which is the next smallest.

BTW I like the sound of the S15, but the resistance is way too much. I feel like I'm constantly fighting the piece.

[dolphyo]

hey coufman, if its sheer size of a soprano mpc(beak,body). then you must try a berg larsen mpc. its the biggest around.

[MojoBari]

The Runyon Custom Quantum (Delrin) is the smallest.

[singlereed]

I agree small ones do feel a bit weird, I never totally got on with a Jody Jazz for that reason - based on a Runyon Custom. I'd be inclined to look at a rubber Selmer, Otto Link, Meyer or Vandoren for something that's easier to get a hold of. The thick patch will also help, I always use them.

[Mike Ruhl]

Been there, done that, got the t-shirt, sold it on ebay...

I added soprano about 4 years ago after nearly 30 years playing tenor only, and went through exactly the same thing. I even had and sold a Runyon Custom for the same reason.

I also have a Bari Esprit, and find it to be pretty much a standard-sized soprano mpc, compared to the 6 or 8 other rubber soprano mpcs I've tried (the usual suspects: Vandorens, Links, Selmer, a couple of vintage gems, etc.).

Recently I trialed a Hite Artist model from ww&bw. Surprisingly, it was noticeably fatter than the Esprit. It comes with it's own ligature, which was too big to work on the Esprit. So you might want to try a Hite. Very fine mpcs. I absolutely love my tenor Hite Artist.

[Coufman]

Been there, done that, got the t-shirt, sold it on ebay...

LOL!!!! :D

Thanks Mike.

How does the Bari Gold compare size (bite) wise?
I want to get an edgy piece, probably metal, but it needs to have a good size bite to be comfortable. I don't want to mortgage my house for it either.

For those who use the thick patches, how often do you go through them?

[MojoBari]

A Dentist can take care of a pointy tooth problem. My patches last for years.

[Mike Ruhl]

How does the Bari Gold compare size (bite) wise?
I want to get an edgy piece, probably metal, but it needs to have a good size bite to be comfortable. I don't want to mortgage my house for it either.Oh, you want metal...my metal mpc is a #10 L.A. Sax silver-plated supposedly-bronze affair that I got on "clearance" from www.wwbw.com The bite on it is comfortable for me - about the same as the Esprit. Those are the only soprano mpcs I own, btw. I use the Esprit at church, and the LA Sax for everything else.

[Coufman]

Mike, how would you compare the Hite to the Esprit ? I noticed that the tip is only 52 where as the Bari is 57 if memory serves.

[Mike Ruhl]

The Hite was visibly just a little more closed than the supposedly .058" Esprit. It felt a little more closed when I played it, too. Otherwise, I didn't noticed enough difference in the playing of it to justify replacing my $10 Esprit with the $80 Hite.

Keep in mind that I'm just a active hobbyist player. If I was a giggin' pro, I'd probably put more time, effort, and money into trying out soprano mpcs. And sopranos too, for that matter.