Mouthpieces Mouthpiece Materials.

[old_git]

In my journey to the tenor sax, passed through many pieces of windware including keyless flute. These are normally made from wood, plastic water pipe or Delrin. My Delrin Dixon could be used as an offensive weapon as well as for the odd Morris dance out, as it is so tough.
Has any mouthpiece maker tried Delrin? It machines well but it might be the resonance, cost or no income from experiments that is the deciding factor.
Opinions and information please.

 

[Linky Lee]

As I don't believe the material makes any affect, I myself, if I were a mouthpiece maker wouldn't experiment unless it was significantly easier to tool.

 

[Rogerb]

There is a member of the SOTW forum who makes highly regarded mpcs from Delrin, I believe...if I remember his name, I'll edit this post!
He started on tenor and they were called Uptown & Downtown... maybe Pete remembers?

Ah, it is www.saxscape.com and the maker is Ken Barry

 

[Jules]

Yes- Runyon Quantum mouthpieces are made from Delrin- and, yes they're tough as old boots!
According ot jody Espina- the actual material a mouthpiece is made from has minimal effect, though the significant element is how thin the walls can be machined down..... Delrin appears to be the winner- the quantum has very thin walls indeed.

 

[Pete Thomas]

I also believe material makes no or very little difference to the sound, However it makes a difference to the design, because I would imagine if you want thin rails and subsequently a small external dimension, you would need something very strong, e.g. metal. I haven't seen any hard rubber mouthpiececs as thin as many metal mouthpiececs.

Ed Pillinger uses amaterial called Bronzite, which I think is a mixture of resin and teeny particles of bronze. I hadn't actually heard of the Delrin stuff, or if I did it went in one ear and out the other.

 

[maggiesimpson]

So, Pete, when you suggested that I could up-grade to a Yamaha (4C, I think you said), what is it about that particular mouthpiece that will be good for me - size? shape? walls? strength?

Not that I can differentiate at this point in my sax playing experience, but I'd be interested to know for reference and also a greater understanding of how these things work.

8|

 

[Pete Thomas]

maggiesimpson wrote:
So, Pete, when you suggested that I could up-grade to a Yamaha (4C, I think you said), what is it about that particular mouthpiece that will be good for me - size? shape? walls? strength?

Sound mostly. They are nice mouthpiececs that sound good, give you a good response, ie they feel nice to play. At this stage you don't need to worry about things like walls, materials, strength etc. that's a more for mouthpiece manufacturers to worry about. All mouthpieces have enough strength I think.