Mouthpieces Berg Larsen Alto Mouthpiece

[Pyrografix]

Whilst trawling the Devils Junkyard a couple of days ago, I came across a Berg Larsen mouthpiece with a £10 buy-it-now, so I did. Mainly out of curiosity.
Well it arrived today and seems to in very good nick, but I can't find reference to the model on any websites. I'll have a go at posting pics later, but in the meantime a brief description:
ebonite (plastic?), with Berg Larsen signature in red on shank. No other detail stamps (size/model etc)

So can any of you officianados tell me more about it - it may even be a fake for all I know!

Haven't tried to play it yet....something to look forward to this eve!

 

[TomMapfumo]

It may the very same as featured on the Trevor Jones website - where they mention a plastic one - have a look on their website where they list a Berg Larsen Student Alto Sax mouthpiece at £25. www.trevorjonesltd.co.uk

Kind regards
Tom

 

[Nick Cook]

I've just bought a metal Berg Larsen mouthpiece for my Tenor (see my latest blog post).

I was talking to my teacher a few weeks ago about tone and whether a better mouthpiece would give me a better tone (currently playing a student plastic Yamaha mouthpiece), and she said 'probably'. She had a couple she didn't use that she was thinking of selling - the Berg Larsen and an Otto Link. I didn't get on at all with the Otto Link, and gave to back quite quickly, but I've enjoyed playing the the Berg Larsen, so bought it off her!!!

 

[Derek A]

If it's an old one you're a lucky so-and-so! I had a 40 year old 110/2 (mellow) M (american long lay). You could get a that breathy, buzzing Getz tone with a softish (PTD synthetic) reed; a 'big-band' sound for section work; and still really blast out rock and blues numbers. A lot of young guys used the PTD/Berg setup.
Tried out a new Berg for my alto couple of weeks ago - disapointing. Bought a Beechler Bellite.
M/pieces always sound different depending on the player - teeth, bone structure, throat, chest. Lots of guys like the Link. I borrowed a Lawton and it didn't do much for me but they have a faithful following and players swear by them.
Not worth spending loads of cash on a m/piece until you've been playing a couple of years - I used to play a plastic Yamaha 7 (big difference to the 6) - otherwise you get bored and start a never-ending search for the 'golden fleece'.

 

[kevgermany]

My teacher's been singing the praises of Bergs for ages. Last week he walked in with a Zinner on his tenor and started paising that.... Really, I don't know. I think he's hinting, cos the PPT squeaks a little. lol.

 

[milandro]

praising modern Bergs and Zinner is definitely an account to a peculiar taste ........
Anyway, Bergs on alto are not the most common of the set ups , we have a major (one of the most seniors ) player (don't normally like his style but there is nothing wrong with his sound.......listen to this......) in Holland Piet Noordijk who uses the Berg Larsen-Selmer combination, here at the Bimhuis

 

[kevgermany]

should have said, these were old ones.....

 

[milandro]

Ah.........the good old times! ;}

 

[johnboy]

Wish I could play like this. Think I'll slash my wrists.
Bye all!

 

[milandro]

no deed to, you can get there.........he played for 60 years.............started at the age of 15

 

[johnboy]

no deed to, you can get there.........he played for 60 years.............started at the age of 15

I didn't have the bottle to do it! sorry guys.

Hey Andre, I'm from the "Teddy Boy" era. My hero was and still is, Rudy Pompelli. What an inspiration he was!!!!!!!

I had a metal Berg. m'piece '64 - '65, cant remember the model, wish I could, it was fantastic.
John.

 

[milandro]

I didn't have the bottle to do it! sorry guys.

Hey Andre, I'm from the "Teddy Boy" era. My hero was and still is, Rudy Pompelli. What an inspiration he was!!!!!!!

I had a metal Berg. m'piece '64 - '65, cant remember the model, wish I could, it was fantastic.
John.

Senex rock!

 

[johnboy]

Thank's for that Andre. I can't remember what I did this morning, but I remember all of the words to all of Bill's numbers, and all of Rudy's solos. My favorite of course, being "Rudy's Rock", which I copied, note for note.
Those were the days, Out playing all along the South coast, five nights a week (working for Reg. Calvert). Getting in at 2am. and up for school in the morning!
We earned £5 a night each then (1957), work that out in today's cash!!!! There were seven of us in the band.

I'm going on again, sorry.

John.

 

[ProfJames]

Just found a Berg Larsen mouthpiece in one of my bags. Must have come with a sax I bought. Berg Larsen is written in red. No other details on it. I want an Otto Link 5* so I was wondering if anyone can help me to find out what the Berg is worth? My Otto Linke is around £80 would the Berg mpc be worth as much?

I can then sell and get my Otto!

 

[Pyrografix]

Check out my thread which I've just unearthed Berg-Larsen-Alto-Mouthpiece - it might be a similar student m/piece. In which case it will help towards the Otto fund but not by a huge amount!