Mouthpieces Metal Mouthpieces

[SaxDon]

Hi guys,

I've just bought a used metal mouthpiece. It's the first one in awhile as I've tended to play V16/Jody Jazz HR pieces over the years (the exceptions being stints on Yani and V16 metal pieces.

Anyway, I've always had new mouthpieces and looked after them. The one I've just got has a lot of pitting (particularly on the table) and I don't know if I need to worry - either from a health or reed perspective? To be fair the few reeds I've tried on it work pretty well (Retro Revival seem to be putting out some pretty good stuff - albeit with thin plating!), but wondered what others thought, particularly health-wise!???

Cheers
Do

n

 

[Saxlicker]

I personally, don't see anything to worry about there.
Ugly yes but if you don't tend to 'suck back' moisture there won't be much going on as far as I know.
So many people place on refaced brass piece that are bare you'd have to wonder about the risk there.

 

[skeller047]

Do the reeds seal? If so, just keep it clean. If not, send it back or sell it on.

Health-wise I doubt there will be an issue. The thing I’d worry about most is more plating flaking off in my mouth. Gool cleaning will catch those kind of issues before there is a problem.

 

[Dr G]

That pitting on the table is what happens if you leave the reed on after playing. Trapped moisture forms local galvanic cells that result in pitting corrosion.

To avoid further pitting, seal the pits with something like Meguiars Cleaner/Polish or similar, then ensure that the mouthpiece is dry before putting it away.

I agree that it does not pose a health risk.

 

[SaxDon]

Thanks guys, useful info

 

[Woodpad]

I personally, don't see anything to worry about there.
Ugly yes but if you don't tend to 'suck back' moisture there won't be much going on as far as I know.
So many people place on refaced brass piece that are bare you'd have to wonder about the risk there.

Some copper miners got green hair while other people died instantly from liver cirrhosis when they ingested a large amount of copper salts.

 

[Ivan]

Some copper miners got green hair while other people died instantly from liver cirrhosis when they ingested a large amount of copper salts.

How is occupational copper poisoning even remotely relevant?

 

[Dr G]

Some copper miners got green hair while other people died instantly from liver cirrhosis when they ingested a large amount of copper salts.

And hatters used to go mad from chronic exposure to mercury. Drinking water used to run through lead pipes. Sewage used to run through ditches in the street.

What are the greatest factors affecting people today? Bad information? Social media?

 

[Saxlicker]

Some copper miners got green hair while other people died instantly from liver cirrhosis when they ingested a large amount of copper salts.

I'm no expert and obviously that level of exposure would be dangerous but this isn't apples with apples is it.

How much nitrogen is in the air? but don't go breathing in pure nitrogen.

 

[Colin the Bear]

And hatters used to go mad from chronic exposure to mercury. Drinking water used to run through lead pipes. Sewage used to run through ditches in the street.

What are the greatest factors affecting people today? Bad information? Social media?

Social media is a sewer ditch running through the world. I've heard the Internet described as writing on a public toilet wall.

 

[Dr G]

Social media is a sewer ditch running through the world. I've heard the Internet described as writing on a public toilet wall.

Funny you should mention “writing on a public toilet wall”. When I was in the US Navy in the ‘70s and on, I used to carry a grease pencil in my pocket, ever ready to correct spelling and grammar of stall graffiti.

 

[Woodpad]

How is occupational copper poisoning even remotely relevant?

Saxlicker was wondering about the risk of playing on a bare brass mouthpiece. 40 years ago someone asked me the same question and I told him how too interpret the toxic risk with those examples.

 

[Dr G]

Saxlicker was wondering about the risk of playing on a bare brass mouthpiece. 40 years ago someone asked me the same question and I told him how too interpret the toxic risk with those examples.

The example of copper miners getting toxic exposure levels was just as relevant then as now. Not.