Saxophones Earlham Alto Sax Mouthpiece

[NigelP]

I've been playing a Pro Series II Earlham Alto Sax EAS309 for some 20 years and I have to say I rather like its sound and have used it mainly for jazz/blues/latin etc. It has the original supplied special Bill Lewington Earlham Gold-plated mouthpiece and I've always been curious as to whether it is plastic or ebonite. It seems quite tough and the gold plating is still in good condition. It was bought from Sax.co back in 2004. I use Rico Royal 2.0 reeds, sometimes 2.5 but usually revert back. I'm waiting for some D'Addario Select Jazz 2M to arrive to try out.

I keep "looking" at other saxes and mouthpiece options but so far I still like the sound I get so I can't yet convince myself I need to change anything! (money is not neccessarily an issue here within reason).

However I've been looking at the PPT-5 alto MP and I need to understand what might be the difference compared with my Earlham MP. Measuring my Earlham (marked 5 on the side) it's about 1.3mm opening whereas, if I've understood it properly the PPT-5 is 0.065" = 1.65mm; seems quite a big difference. That Earlham appears to be similar to a Yamaha AS5CM @ 1.3mm.

Problem with the PPT is I can't simply go to a music shop and try one out, so it's a bit of a gamble as to whether it would be suitable for me.

My music experience is purely amateur jazz band gigs (and also other instruments/genres).

Can anyone provide some useful information/opinion on any of the above, particularly whether the Earlham MP is plastic or ebonite?

 

[Pete Thomas]

However I've been looking at the PPT-5 alto MP and I need to understand what might be the difference compared with my Earlham MP. Measuring my Earlham (marked 5 on the side) it's about 1.3mm opening whereas, if I've understood it properly the PPT-5 is 0.065" = 1.65mm; seems quite a big difference.

Neither the marking ( 5, 6 etc...) nor the actual tip have much relevance in regard to comparing.

You mention sxa.co.uk so if you are in the UK then you can either use the return policy (which we pride ourselves on being very rarely used except to swap a 7* tenor for an 8*) or else by appointment you can try one out at PPT Central in sunny SE London.

 

[NigelP]

Which particular part of sunny SE London????🙂