Mouthpieces Bamber - most underrated...

[syevad]

I have 4 Bambers - 2 for tenors (very open) and 2 for alto (very close). I didn't choose the openings...I just bought them second hand many years ago (what was on offer). Only one of them (the Concert 4 - Alto) wasn't that "impressive"....until I've tested it on a M6 (I've just repaired recently) - never played a 6M before so there is an element of a new setup here...
Apparently the Concert 4 is supposed to be a copy of the Selmer Soloist (horseshoe chamber) - but the Bamber sounds much better than my Soloist E on my Conn 6M despite of the fact I feel more confortable (and sound better) with larger openings...unless, this Concert 4 had been opened by some skilled pro in the past.
In fact, there are some telling signs and maybe many of these "cheap" Bambers have been bought by experienced players and technicians to experiment a bit? (eg. opening and refacing etc.)...and maybe re-sold after a quick testing not realizing they were "chucking" away perfectly sounding if not greatly improved MPs?
In fact, in my case, I'd rather keep the Concert 4 and sell my Soloist E (substance above all).

 

[Pete Thomas]

I have to admit I don’t think I’ve ever heard of Bamber.

 

[syevad]

I have to admit I don’t think I’ve ever heard of Bamber.

The most well kept secret...
I stumbled into a very cheap Bamber Jazz alto many years ago - it was sold as a good rendition of a vintage Mayer....it surprised my expectations it has a layer of extra "rubbery, gummy" warmth which is very pleasant to my ears and it plays much better than the conventional Meyers I've tested (not vintage). Bambers aren't easy to find usually sold used the USA market - I've bought 4 of them in all at ridiculous prices...mind you, maybe by now some have realized their worth and maybe they'll keep them or selling at much higher prices than in the past?

 

[Colin the Bear]

A quick Google leads to sotw where they are mentioned for their poor finish quality.

 

[JayeNM]

They seem to sell for around $50-100 used and $130-150 new (was not easy to find sellers of new online).

So that would be a pretty inexpensive price point, used. New pricing, it starts putting them up against a stock contemporary Meyer or Link Tone-Edge in rubber....

Looking at pics, some seem not particularly 'contemporary', IOW engraving and general aesthetic of some appear sorta 80's-ish or even earlier (?), while the paint logo ones seem more recent.....

 

[syevad]

I bought my first Bamber for about £13 (15 odd years ago) still very cheap - it sounded better than the average I had at that time. The other 3 I bought later (also at ridiculous prices) also didn't fail - very cheap and of decent quality (if not excellent depending on the setup). I have tested some decent vintage Mejers and Brilhart (Designed By Arnold Brilhart) and others which are very expensive but Bamber's aren't far behind in terms of quality.