Mouthpieces Looking for Berg Larsen-esque mouthpiece

[lrntp]

I've just bought for myself a new tenor, so I'm looking for a Berg Larsen mouthpiece, for I kinda like the sound of Evan Parker on my tenor. The problem is that I don't want to risk my money for a brand with notoriously bad QC. Thus, I'm looking for brands of mouthpiece that while are not Berg Larsen, they have a sound profile that resembles it. Maybe a bit less expensive than a Berg Larsen too.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Maybe a bit less expensive than a Berg Larsen too.

I don’t know about less expensive, but are you aware our very own house brand is inspired by the concept of a Berg (but better of course).

 

[Sacks Of Phones]

Do you know what Berg baffle height? 0, 1, or 2? Forget 3. The following recommendations are somewhere between 1 and 2.

Saxscape Hudson,
Ted Klum New London

 

[rhysonsax]

Do you have a preference between metal and Hard Rubber (ebonite) ? One route could be to get a HR Berg Larsen of the right general spec and then have it refaced if necessary.

Rhys

 

[sax panther]

Ted Klum London is a great bergy mouthpiece, but does cost a bit more money.

 

[JSL]

PPT for sure, and as Pete suggests, even better.

I also tried a PhilTone Rift on a pass around and I think that might be a contender (again, likely for the better).

 

[lrntp]

I prefer something of 115 or 120/0/SMS but I don't think there will be much of a difference between ebonite and metal.

 

[lrntp]

I don’t know about less expensive, but are you aware our very own house brand is inspired by the concept of a Berg (but better of course).

I really didn't know that. Maybe I'll consider one, were I to have the chance of visiting UK.

 

[progger]

Along with the fine suggestions thus far, I used to have a Lawton 8*BB that was somewhat in the Berg tradition but with seriously phenomenal quality. Ended up selling it to someone on SOTW since other designs ended up being better for me (including slightly smaller tip opening with harder reeds! And more of a Link design), and I'm not sure how the newer Lawtons compare, but I assume they're still very good.

 

[Dr G]

I prefer something of 115 or 120/0/SMS but I don't think there will be much of a difference between ebonite and metal.

Your profile cites “beginner”. Is that still accurate? What mouthpiece have you been playing? 115/120 seems a large leap. Why so large?

+1 for Ted Klum mouthpieces. The “London” series are very good although I haven’t played a tip larger than 110 in those.

 

[jazzdoh]

I have to agree with Dr G here, if you are a beginner then maybe 115 to 120 might be a challenge, when i played a lot of tenor 20/30 years ago i never played more than 115 but mainly settled on 105.
I find that Berg's are relatively cheap now compared to 5/10 years ago, most of the alternatives are more expensive.

 

[davidk]

A Drake Pete Christlieb is based on a Berg 120/0 SMS.

 

[lrntp]

Your profile cites “beginner”. Is that still accurate? What mouthpiece have you been playing? 115/120 seems a large leap. Why so large?

+1 for Ted Klum mouthpieces. The “London” series are very good although I haven’t played a tip larger than 110 in those.

I currently play a Vandoren Jumbo Java A75 with a Fiberreed Carbon Onyx M on my alto and it works like a charm to me so I think 115/120 wouldn't pose to me that much challenge. I have just learnt the saxophone for 7 months so I am very much still a beginner.

 

[jazzdoh]

I currently play a Vandoren Jumbo Java A75 with a Fiberreed Carbon Onyx M on my alto and it works like a charm to me so I think 115/120 wouldn't pose to me that much challenge. I have just learnt the saxophone for 7 months so I am very much still a beginner.

A 75 on alto is not very wide but a 120 on tenor is, so be careful because it can be quite expensive if you get it wrong.

Whoops an A75 is not the same as a 75 tip, but still tenor is not the same as alto, i played most of my time on 90 tips and above on alto but still was comfortable on 105 on tenor.

 

[Dr G]

I currently play a Vandoren Jumbo Java A75 with a Fiberreed Carbon Onyx M on my alto and it works like a charm to me so I think 115/120 wouldn't pose to me that much challenge. I have just learnt the saxophone for 7 months so I am very much still a beginner.

Are you saying that you have not yet starting playing tenor and this will be your first tenor mouthpiece?

Regardless, I guarantee that you do NOT have the embouchure and air support to get a good sound out of a Berg 115. Nor do you need a tip opening of that size to get the sound you cite in your OP.

If you want some input on a reasonable mouthpiece to use on your journey, let us know what TENOR mouthpiece you are currently using.

(FWIW, I am a tenor player of 50+ years.)

 

[Colin the Bear]

I think it's safest launching a journey into a different horn with a safe mouthpiece. A Yam 5c can be picked up for a song and sold on kept as a backup.

Once your tenor chops have developed you'll have more idea what sort of tenor embouchure you've got. Don't make the mistake of thinking a tenor is a big alto. It is very different. Different embouchure and playing style.

Remember that the mouthpiece is just an interface that let's you be you. It needs to match you and the horn. Two players on the exact same set up can sound quite different. Picking the same setup as your inspiration is no guarantee that you'll sound anything like them.

The frustrating thing about saxophones is that, you always sound like you. The trick is to be the best you.

 

[skeller047]

Since you cited Evan Parker as your sound model, I spent some time listening to some of his music. Having done that, I wonder why you are looking specifically for a Berg Larsen mouthpice. I would not consider those to be appropriate for a beginning player.

Mr. Parker’s music seems to rely heavily on advanced saxophonic technique, but it is obvious he is a skilled saxophonist. So since you are beginning your saxophone journey I strongly recommend that you pursue a more conventional sound, using a more or less conventional mouthpiece. A Link Tone Edge, or Meyer, or Vandoren mouthpiece would be a good solid choice. The new Links and Meyers are excellent, and not too expensive. Vandorens are a bit more but are also generally made very well.

Once you get a solid footing in standard technique you can branch out into the more advanced realms that Evan Parker employs. A good quality mouthpiece of any type should accommodate those sonic explorations.