Several months ago while having my VI Tenor overhauled I decided to try a darker and mellower sound for the small-venue gigs I was playing.
I had been on a Guardala and a Lakey for many years..Both very good mpcs..I bought a couple of good links but I did not feel at home and I found the sound really wasn't what I was after.
Now I don't usually go for all the hype, and after 15 yrs on the forum I've seen many fads come and go. But after reading a lot of reviews and hearing actual players (Euge for one) I ordered a 10mfan "Black widow".
..Well it took a few weeks to get my BW order filled and while I was waiting saw a "Boss" metal on ebay at 1/2 price. long story short I now have both and man they are something else..in fact better than I imagined.
It's a nice feeling isn't it? I recently traded for a Phil Tone Mosaic, and I feel as if my search is over too. I am strongly considering selling (nearly) every mouthpiece I own and committing (scary word) to the Mosaic 1000%. So what am I waiting for? I'm playing only the Mosaic for 3 months and will evaluate my feelings for it... if I'm still feeling this way, I'm selling all but one piece as a backup. Now which one to keep as a backup, that's the question lol
I've sold mpcs in the past and sometime regretted it later...My DG is a recently refaced Super King, it is a jewel and not for sale. My Lakey is also a killer, it is an older handmade, and a rare 9*3 so it won't be on the block anytime soon either. But I must say I am more than impressed with my new mpcs. The sounds and ease of play are simply amazing on both.
Cash,
Thank you, my brother. So glad you are digging both mpc's so much!!!!
I hope everyone can find the mpc or mpc's that give them just what they have been wanting.
Thats the goal for all of us.
I wasn't fully happy with the vintage pieces, but I made them work for me the best I could. I had a great Slant and a great Berg that took care of the gigs for me, but I was never "thrilled" or felt they were over the top pieces that fully satisfied me.
Then I decided to make my own mpc's and thats when I finally got satisfied.
The thing is, your tastes change as you go along year after year. Eventually you start to become dissatisfied with how you sound. its great that we have so many kinds of mouthpieces now to satisfy every whim.
I have certainly briefly tried a few substitutes for my DG along the way, but I never experienced any other mpcs like these.
I can't imagine running out of steam on these beauties. They really cover the sound spectrum. I should mention I picked a #9 for the metal Boss and an 8* for the widow. They both play super easy. I use synths, so far mostly fibracell, I have some Legere's on the way.
I like having a Rubber and a metal versatility like I did with the DG and Lakey. Both the 10mfans could easily be a main mpc. Here's a pic of the new additions to the stable:mrgreen:
PS the reeds you see are only holding the Ligs on..haha I dial the proper reed before the gig.
The signature series are very good. The classic series I don't like. The studios are nice but they are a little thin and Buzzy sounding. Definitely harder to control than the signature series.
I hear ya Mark..I had tried Studio Cuts as well previously a couple yrs ago..I bought one each for Alto and Tenor..I agree, I did not like either one. I even tried shaving them, nada.
But I really had good luck over the last few months with a Signature on my Tenor mpcs.
While I was searching around on Fleabay I saw Sam Ash just had a sale on the classic model ($15), thought I'll try one for fun.
:twisted:here's a little update..Getting ready for the gig tonight..8* widow + Signature 2.5=Tenor Heaven oh yeah first real gig on my newly resto'd VI...life is good.
I find the Studios run about 1/4 strength softer than the regulars. I use the Studios I purchased for tenor on bass clarinet. I prefer Fibracells on tenor.
Hi Mojo..I use Fibras a lot myself on S/A/T. They play good but man they soon start peeling on the back. I've taken to scraping the residue off with a blade (or fingernail) to smooth them out a bit and get more mileage out of them. My experience with Legere's is limited. But they certainly have one good thing going, you can exchange !! I found on my first real job with the Black Widow that the 2.5 did prove too stiff for perfect comfort. I'll swap for a #2 signature this week. The 2.5 Classic seems to run stiffer than the Sig so I'll try a 1.75.
I've sent both the 2.5 Sig and Classic to Legere for exchange.... I've ordered the Sig in 2.0 and the Classic in 1.75..now I gotta wait...............hopefully they play on both my Widow and Boss.
Well I think the Dust has settled..I've got my Tenor mpc collection up to Six total. They're all players. My tips range from .105-.125
1) M7 Metalite .105 tipped mellow or screamer biker bar mpc..
2) Lakey HR 7*3 at .113 great all purpose mpc, big sound and easy blowing.
3) 10mfan 8* Black Widow hard rubber .115 tip..unbelievable player.
4) Gold 10mfan BOSS metal at #9.. it measures .120. Total balls-to-the-wall monster mpc. A treasure..!!
5) 9*3 Lakey HR at tipped at .121 Huge sound, great versatile mpc.
6) Laser Trim DG Super King recently refaced and restored, tipped at .125. Another monster mpc. The ultimate paint-peeler.
..so I think I got a good spectrum here. I don't feel any need to explore Tenor mpcs any further, this is PLENTY..!!
OK I confess I do have an unplayed in-the-box Gold Plated LT Super King tenor 'piece stashed away but that's another story..:twisted:
Memphissax I hear hear ya, If I could only have one Tenor mpc it would be one of Mark and Erics. It would be tough to choose between the 2 I have..
Btw I'm a former Navy Musician myself..I graduated music school in DC, shipped out with the 7th Fleet Band then ended up at Treasure Island in SF. (circa '67) Man that was a long time ago, I have many fond memories..
I played my second full job last Sunday on my 'widow..I used a correct rico H tenor lig and tried a couple different Fibracells (still waiting for my Legeres) ...honestly the thing is scary GOOD..boys (and girls) if you need a new tenor mpc I don't think you'll find better. I love my BOSS too, that thing I'm still feeling out and getting to know.. but it feels incredible too..:evil::evil:
Hallalujah... Finally I have received my Legere Signature #2. I think I'm dialed..
On my 8* 'widow the Legere is the best set-up I've ever played. I haven't spent any quality time with the Sig on my BOSS yet as I've been having too much fun with the 'widow. The alt response is nothing short of amazing. I been chasing a strong G3 for many years, I bought all the books and tried all the fingering ad nauseum..the Black Widow pops that elusive tone like a real note. Up from there is just as good.
The overall sound with the spider on my Buescher 400 tenor is huge, very easy response and the thickest subtones I ever produced. On my softer side brunch gig this Sunday I'll probably play it on my VI tenor for the ultimate good time.
I'm looking forward to playing my BOSS on some upcoming harder blowing gigs and I'm thinking my other tenor 'pieces will probably gather dust for awhile..
I’m so glad to hear that, Greg! People keep writing me telling me they are having a hard time putting their horns down because they’re enjoying playing so much.
That stuff makes me incredibly happy and I feel the same way, myself.
I look forward to a new recording from you whenever you are ready with the Legere reeds and black widow.
Actually on the gig today I played both the BW and the BOSS, it's a 3 hr non stop job so plenty of time for both:mrgreen:
My newly overhauled VI feels like a bit of a stranger to me as I been playing my beater 400 a lot more for the last few months. My beautiful silver VI has fresh tenor madness pads/big resos and all new felts corks etc...I played the thing for 30 yrs and I guess I miss some of the rubber bands and duct tape not to mention some of the 30 yr old Noyeks..honestly feels a little weird to me all fixed up. Sounds a bit different to me as well.
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