Mouthpieces Another Mouthpiece Question

[rs2sensen]

I'm currently looking for a cheap mouthpiece with a "bright" sound for use on a classical piece I recently acquired that really requires it. Typically I use a Selmer C* for this kind of stuff, but it just doesn't have the right sound.

I do have a Meyer Metal Jazz Mouthpiece, which gives me a sound closer to what the work requires, but I'm afraid to squeak on it (the thing does if the reed isn't completely soaked or in perfect shape).

I've been trying to remember how the Yamaha 4C sounded...but if anything around that price range jumps out, please post! (I really don't want to spend $100 for another mouthpiece at the moment...)

Thanks!

 

[Pete Thomas]

How about experimenting witha temporary removeable baffle for your Selmer? I've never done this, but some people have.

Griff may have some ideas how this could be done.

 

[rs2sensen]

That's an interesting idea, hadn't thought about baffles. I'll have to look into it. Thanks, Pete!

 

[griff136]

You can make a baffle out of some thin stainless steel and some dental molding.

I have one somewhere - I'll fish it out and post some pics.

Griff

www.dg-music.co.uk

 

[impulse]

Folks a moment. What does the temp baffle do for the sound? Could a baffle be used on other MPCs, I have a Yam 4C?

 

[Bobby G]

A temporary baffle would presumably speed up the airflow and brighten the sound? Would it be easy to make one, just from the point of view of someone who likes to tinker with things?

Also, I have heard of these things called spoilers, how do they work? What do they do? Could I make one?

 

[griff136]

here's a link to runyon mouthpieces that can be fited with their own spoiler (removeable baffle)

http://www.runyonproducts.com/spoiler.html

I'm not sure how they work baffles or spoilers but they do make a difference.


Griff

www.dg-music.co.uk

 

[Pete Thomas]

I can't see the difference between a spoiler and a baffle.

I recently got a muthpiece made by Joe Walton in Yorkshire, that has 5 different removeable baffles:

http://www.petethomas.co.uk/saxophone-rare.html

I bought this out of nostalgia as he was my repairer when I went to Leeds College of Music.

 

[spike]

Quote from Jody Espina's website:

"The Spoiler is a patented invention. It adds volume (projection) and brightness to the mouthpiece. Spoilers consist of a wedge which creates a higher baffle giving the mouthpiece a brighter more cutting sound. Attached to the wedge is a small metal "reed" which actually vibrates when air is blown into the mouthpiece. This vibration disturbs the air stream causing more complex harmonics and creating more volume. This device slips easily in or out of the mouthpiece. It's like having two mouthpieces in one."

there are pics on his website at jodyjazz.com - if it was up to me I'd call the wedge bit a baffle and the metal bit a spoiler and file it under voodoo. No - I did have a Jodyjazz for a while and the baffle does make a difference but the spoiler I'm not too sure on.

 

[AlistairD]

At 09:32:16 AM 04/05/06, spike wrote:
Quote from Jody Espina's website:

"The Spoiler is a patented invention. It adds volume (projection) and brightness to the mouthpiece. Spoilers consist of a wedge which creates a higher baffle giving the mouthpiece a brighter more cutting sound. Attached to the wedge is a small metal "reed" which actually vibrates when air is blown into the mouthpiece. This vibration disturbs the air stream causing more complex harmonics and creating more volume. This device slips easily in or out of the mouthpiece. It's like having two mouthpieces in one."

there are pics on his website at jodyjazz.com - if it was up to me I'd call the wedge bit a baffle and the metal bit a spoiler and file it under voodoo. No - I did have a Jodyjazz for a while and the baffle does make a difference but the spoiler I'm not too sure on.

I've got a Jody Jazz Classic and have both a baffle and a spoiler (with the baffle.) The baffle is actually a spoiler where someone has removed the metal reed in the past.

With out a doubt the baffle brightens the sound. The spoiler on the other hand seems to increase the volume and can make some pretty wild sounds.... I tend not to use either as I prefer the tone without them but sometimes I have a go just for a laugh...

 

[griff136]

I agree with pete re no difference - its just a name and a marketing thing. I was given a hand hade baffle around 10 years ago and it is the same shape as a spoiler. Maybe i was given a spoiler!

I have a mouthpiece - Strathone - that has a sliding baffle that can be moved up and down without unscrewing anything.

Pics to follow.........


Griff

www.dg-music.co.uk

 

[Bobby G]

Hi Griff. Does the sliding baffle, or spoiler (spaffle?) make a lot of difference to the sound? More than you could make by altering your embouchure? Cheers, Bob

 

[griff136]

At 11:04:29 PM 05/05/06, Bob Green wrote:
Hi Griff. Does the sliding baffle, or spoiler (spaffle?) make a lot of difference to the sound? More than you could make by altering your embouchure? Cheers, Bob

Hi Bob,
hey I like that word spaffle ! yes it does make sublte differences and with the baffle at its foremost position ie near est to the tip it creates far more resistance when blowing and makes it louder - in my opinion.

I will try and get the pics uploaded next week. (I'm away from my camera at the moment)

Griff

www.dg-music.co.uk

 

[kymarto]

....

I do have a Meyer Metal Jazz Mouthpiece, which gives me a sound closer to what the work requires, but I'm afraid to squeak on it (the thing does if the reed isn't completely soaked or in perfect shape).

....

Squeaking and chirping often are the result of a bad facing: uneven table and rails. High baffle mpcs are especially sensitive to this. I have had several metal mpcs that were almost unplayable until after a good refacing, after which they became quite friendly. This is something that you might check out with your Meyer if you like the sound.

Toby

 

[Bobby G]

I have a really old (suspect from the 50's) metal Brilhart mpc for my alto which is fairly battered-looking, but played fine straight out of the box, if a little scary - like, too piercing, man. A cheapie off ebay, but it's ok. On the other hand, I've tried a couple of brand new metal pieces that I couldn't get along with (both Yani's). Maybe just me, though...

I wonder if, apart from embouchure, if it's the dimensions, rather than the material, of a mouthpiece that shape the sound more.

 

[Pete Thomas]

At 6:07:35 PM 13/05/06, Bob Green wrote:
I wonder if, apart from embouchure, if it's the dimensions, rather than the material, of a mouthpiece that shape the sound more.

Yes

 

[Bobby G]

come on Pete, don't mince your words, spit it out man.

Is there a reason ebonite mouthpieces are not made in similar dimensions to metal ones? Strength, presumably. I must say I prefer the feel of a chunk of ebonite in my mouth. Are any other materials practical for making mouthpieces? Plastic, obviously, but anything else? Mouthpiece making seems to be a very exact science, is there any reason a prototype with given sound qualities cannot then be 'copied' via a mould and produced by the ton in plastic of a similar density?

 

[rebellion117]

I made a baffle for my Link STM6* for my bari. I took a piece of 3" PVC pipe, cut out a little piece that fit inside the mouthpiece, then shaved it and countoured it so it didn't provide much resistance. With that baffle, the Link, and a Bari* medium reed, I can honk and pierce and generally outblow almost anyone.

Cory