"The Bill Evans mouthpiece Rocks, it simply plays itself."
"The best mouthpiece I've ever played."
"If you had to compare the Bill Evans mouthpiece to bicycle, his has 21 gears and the rest have 3."
"A dream to play, like sweet velvet."
"The Ferrari of all mouthpieces"
Ken Gioffre, a guy I went to college with in the 80's is playing one. I just saw this on facebook. Although, I think Ken switches mouthpieces more than I do......
I played with him the other day on a gig and he sounded great on it.. Of course he was playing my horn :bluewink: but still in all he was very satisfied with the MP and still uses it at least up to this week . My 10mfan Boss is still killing for my needs..
I meant that the free market will decide if there are enough players willing to pay the price to buy these, and if not how long Mr. Evans is willing to keep doing this.
If he isn't in this "for the money", or put another way, as supplemental income he could well have a high tolerance.
I saw Bill play live some years ago, I generally don't listen to much fusion, but I do remember this gig, he played the hell out of the saxophone, if I get a chance to see him play live again I will. He was really going for things, and had the wherewithal to get them. Had he made an announcement after that gig that he had a few mouthpieces for sale, he probably would have sold them, good luck to Bill.
People pay $1500-$3500 for handmade G#######s,and more for silver Francois'.
Bill Evans(I would have added a middle initial ...)is follically challenged and wears a scarf,so what.A baseball cap looks better?
Bald guys like to cover up.
He is a monster player,like most of us aspire to be.
Now go practice....(on your "double ring...)
My favorite moment of his comes in about 3:07 of this Gil Evans orchestra recording
This business venture does have me scratching my head.
Value is in the eye of the beholder? Or it's in the psyche of a musician? Who knows?
I'll enjoy his solo and this entertaining thread nonetheless...
At 4:10 or so he sits on the major third a few times in his solo over the minor vamp thing that's going on. Haha, you don't hear to many guys doing that. It's all how you treat it, he's good.
Noticed that Ken Gioffre is selling his on eBay right now..... a steal at $1495. He posted a video of himself playing it on a gig and he sounds KILLING on it.
No doubt Ken is a great player, but I doubt he'll get more then $500 for this used mouthpiece. How many do you think have sold so far, and already great players are putting them back in the market?
I respect Bill as a player but I think he completely missed the mark setting these pieces at this astronomic price new. As said above, it's a 'mostly' a free market, but ...
He sounds great on every mouthpiece clip of him on YouTube so I'm not going by that. Maybe he'd rather have $1400 in his pocket and play a $400 piece instead?
He does sound amazing on everything, but that clip sounded especially good to me. I think most mouthpiece related clips I've heard of him are in a more tame studio setting, so maybe it's the live energy and the band that makes him sound extra good to me there.
I think most guys play Guardalas for a bit because they are great blowing pieces, but the good players move on once they realize that the piece locks them into a particular sound. Even Brecker wished he could play something else....
First, thanks for your kind words and encouragement!
That clip was from a "step up and blow" while earballing my way through a tune I rarely play in a loud setting without much monitor support. So I guess that shows some positive attributes for this mouthpiece. I did end the listing (twice!) while chickening out, but I think I've settled down now.
As some of you know, I switch pieces relatively often, playing one for a while and then moving on - sometimes for the better, sometimes not. I enjoy playing different makes and designs, but I'm most comfortable on relatively large tip openings (8*-9) and that's why I'm moving on now.
I've played Guardalas (although not exclusively) since the mid '80's, which I guess now makes ME vintage! I can say without reservation, that the sound quality, intonation and ease of play of this piece far out shines any hand made Guardala I've owned.
I'm not chiming in to hype a sale or convince you and I prefer to stay out of the fray that can sometimes develop on the forum. I just thought since my name was mentioned in this thread, I should say hi and tell you my first hand insights on this subject.
That's enough out of me. I hope you're all well and enjoying life!
Sorry for the quick OT diversion, but... the guitar player in Ken's video looks very familiar!
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