Mouthpiece outer shape

[dukesboneman]

I know this might be goofy , maybe it`s lack of performance.
Is there a outer shape of a certain brand(s) that you like?
I have always liked Giardinelli`s and (I don`t say this out loud) Jet Tones

[Posaunus]

Perhaps I'm ignorant, but I've never understood the necessity or advantage of the extra mass in the bowl-shaped exteriors of so many mouthpieces (Bach, Schilke, Yamaha, ...). Of course I happily play all of these, but I'm usually just as comfortable with more tapered or streamlined exterior / less massive pieces like Marcinkiewicz / Giardinelli / Denis Wick / Josef Klier.

But what do I know?

[harrisonreed]

The Lindberg outer shape is the best.

[Burgerbob]

Perhaps I'm ignorant, but I've never understood the necessity or advantage of the extra mass in the bowl-shaped exteriors of so many mouthpieces (Bach, Schilke, Yamaha, ...).

That mass can make a pretty massive (pun intended) difference in feedback and response at dynamic extremes. It's not all snake oil, or you'd seem mouthpiece makers using as little brass as they could get away with!

That said, I dig the kind of classic look of a standard weight Greg Black mouthpiece. No nonsense!

It's interesting, I don't put a lot of thought into how mouthpieces look. Now that I have, most of them seem pretty boring or ugly.

[Posaunus]

The Lindberg outer shape is the best.

I agree with Harrison. Lindberg pieces are functional, effective, attractive. No wasted material. But perhaps not "massive" enough for working orchestral pros like BurgerBob. I can't tell, since the only place I play these days is the spare bedroom!

I am attracted to the visual appeal of the Bousfield "S" series mouthpieces. (The "V" series are similar.)
Christan Griego seems to have a good aesthetic sense.

[Burgerbob]

The Lindberg outer shape is the best.

I agree with Harrison. Lindberg pieces are functional, effective, attractive. No wasted material. But perhaps not "massive" enough for working orchestral pros like BurgerBob.

Lindberg pieces are pretty heavy, actually. The problem is definitely not with the exterior shape on the Lindbergs!

Heavier does not always mean better, of course.

[harrisonreed]

They are unusually heavy, considering the outer shape and how large the throat and backbore is. Is probably because the cups are shallow. Maybe the blank is made out of lead.

I really like the look, but the fact that they play in tune and can be played VERY loudly is why I always liked that design. I want all of those design factors, but scaled to a DE 106 rim.

[BGuttman]

The kick on Lindberg mouthpieces is the very thin rim. If you use a lot of pressure it can really dig in and affect your endurance.

I personally like the "tulip" shapes since I used a Conn Remington since High School (later changed to Denis Wick).

Still, I use any shape that works.

[Doubler]

I like the look of vintage Conn mouthpieces. I also like the look of Bach Megatone and Curry mouthpieces. Traditional bowl shape mouthpieces seem easier to hold, though, with not much chance of one slipping out of one's hand due to the almost slippery taper of a tulip shape. Thin rim mouthpieces look ill-proportioned to me.

I agree that mouthpiece mass is an important component in mouthpiece design, and I think that placement of that mass can affect its playing characteristics.

[olivegreenink]

Y’all are on the same page with me.

I love looking at (but also playing Lindbergs). Ive put more mileage in my life on 2CLs and 4CLs than anything else. But boy howdy have I fallen in love with Curry mouthpieces in the past year. It occurred to me that even though I was a tuba major, I literally had not purchased a new tuna mouthpiece in my life until this year. I had always been given hand my downs. And - don’t freak out - I used a large shank trombone Bach 3G when I first started doubling on tuba. I think the band director took pity and gave me a Jupiter tuba piece that I would up playing all the way into college and I have to this day.

So when it was time 3-4 months ago to buy my first ever shiny new tuba mouthpiece I got a gold Curry and love it!

Cheers

[olivegreenink]

Odd - the system and/or I somehow did a duplicate post. So I’ll just say I 100.0% agree with the post above

[Posaunus]

The kick on Lindberg mouthpieces is the very thin rim. If you use a lot of pressure it can really dig in and affect your endurance.

I personally like the "tulip" shapes since I used a Conn Remington since High School (later changed to Denis Wick).

Still, I use any shape that works.

Lindberg rims don't bother me much. But I've never tried playing them for more than a rehearsal or practice session (< 2 hours). They definitely don't feel to me like a "cookie cutter."

And though I never got along with the Conn Remington that came with my 88H, I do like the Conn 3 (and perhaps Conn 2) mouthpiece with Conn small-bore tenors such as the 6H, and the Connstellation 3B mouthpiece with a 71H bass trombone, and (I think after a limited trial) the Connstellation small-shank mouthpiece with a 79H - all "original equipment" pieces that work quite well.

These shapes do not seem "tulip-like" to me. A tulip flower is bell-shaped - more like a Bach mouthpiece. The flared Conn mouthpieces are more "trumpet-like" (or at least like a trumpet bell). In the floral category, perhaps they more resemble a morning glory than a tulip.

[harrisonreed]

They are shaped like the Mercury and gemini space capsule

images (2).png

[walldaja]

The shape of the Lindberg got my attention then I got one from another member. It was exactly what I was looking for sound-wise. The rim has never been a problem for me and I find it gives me more flexibility. My granddaughter really doesn't like that so I should be able to keep mine.

[heldenbone]

They are unusually heavy, considering the outer shape and how large the throat and backbore is. Is probably because the cups are shallow. Maybe the blank is made out of lead.

I really like the look, but the fact that they play in tune and can be played VERY loudly is why I always liked that design. I want all of those design factors, but scaled to a DE 106 rim.

Perhaps a depleted uranium option will be forthcoming at some point, as the next move in the instrumental arms race.

[boneberg]

I think the DW Heritage mpcs. look goofy

[Bonearzt]

I have a Bach NY 7 that has THE most sexy shape of any mouthpiece I've ever owned!!

20180120_145637.jpg

[paulyg]

I think the brassark mercury blanks are beautiful.

[dershem]

I still do not understand why so many rag on Jet-Tones.
That said, except for mass (which can make a big difference), the outward shape of a mouthpiece is not a big deal. I've had discussions with Joe Marcinkiewicz, who touted his 'concert hall' series that have elaborate fluting on the outside, and ... the differences are minimal, at best.

[tjonz]

This thread gave me an idea. I created silhouettes of four mouthpieces. The first three are pretty common, the last one not so much. Can you identify them?

[BGuttman]

Todd, for some reason your image doesn't scan here (for me). I was able to go to it in a different window and I offer my guess:

A - Pretty generic. Looks like my Bach.
B - Doug Elliott
C - Reminds me of a Rudy Muck or a Giardinelli
D - Martin

For those of you who want to try what I did, Quote the post and find the URL inside the URL tags, and open a new browser tab (or window) and put the URL in.

[tjonz]

Bruce writes:

> A - Pretty generic. Looks like my Bach.
> B - Doug Elliott

Yup.

> C - Reminds me of a Rudy Muck or a Giardinelli
> D - Martin

Nope.

[Burgerbob]

Bruce writes:

> A - Pretty generic. Looks like my Bach.
> B - Doug Elliott

Yup.

> C - Reminds me of a Rudy Muck or a Giardinelli
> D - Martin

Nope.

C- Kelly

[tjonz]

Burgerbob writes:

> C- Kelly

Yup.

[Geordie]

D - Olds?

[Posaunus]

D - Giddings?

[tjonz]

Posaunus writes:

> D - Giddings?

Give that man a cigar!

[MTbassbone]

Doug Elliott, Griego NY blank, Stork heavyweight blank. I wouldn't discount a mouthpiece only by the outer shape, but aforementioned seem to work for me.

[Posaunus]

Posaunus writes:

> D - Giddings?

Give that man a cigar!

I had to give up cigars. How about a nice bottle of wine instead? With bubbles?

[Seabass]

They are shaped like the Mercury and gemini space capsule



images (2).png

If I only could get a MP shapes like an Soyuz space craft!

Jokes aside, I have always thought the Ferguson MPs looks neat, wish I had one. Griego also makes some nice looking pieces!

[harrisonreed]

The Ferguson's are straight up Minick blanks, from the looks of it. Very pretty.