Mouthpieces Recommended: Selmer 1729 clear mouthpiece patches

[VirusKiller]

If you like a big chunk of rubber to bite into, these aren't for you.

If you want a thin patch to protect your mouthpiece from teeth marks and DON'T want the feel of rubber against your teeth, then these are great. About £5 for three; they work well for alto and tenor, and probably sop (might need to trim) and bari (positioned carefully) too.

I got these as the feeling of my teeth against thicker rubber patches makes me shiver. These Selmers, made by 3M (at probably under 1p cost!), just protect the mouthpiece and, being transparent, are discreet. The top of the mouthpiece feels softer as you would imagine, but not uncomfortable at all, and the additional friction provides more purchase for your teeth. They seem quite durable too.

 

[Young Col]

VK, I use Vandoren clear ones (recommended to me by Griff). Sounds like they are much the same - perhaps they are rebadged 3M ones. .014 in. thick. Just the same feel you describe. Last ages.
YC

 

[VirusKiller]

I was going to try the Vandorens, but didn't want to fork out a tenner without being able to try one first. My local music shop just happened to be selling the 3M ones singly for a pound each...

 

[AndyG]

I changed to the thin clear ones as I was getting through the thicker rubber ones too quickly.
I purchased Kolbl ones from reeds direct at £4.95 for a pack of 6 also available in thicker rubber version.
Here is a link to them.

http://www.reeds-direct.co.uk/woodwind-accessories/clarinet%20or%20saxophone/mouthpiece-patch-rdc/8dot001.html

 

[jazzdoh]

The best clear patches i have tried are the one`s from FAM Enterprise run by Mike [Face Ache Mike on SOTW] they £9.95 for 10 and they are excellent.

 

[Filton]

I tied patches on my metal piece but found they only lasted about half hour and then started to slip. Perhaps I didn't clean it enough prior to applying the patches.

I have to admit to not being a fan of the thick rubber patches as they seem to make an already large mouthpiece (eg my Yamaha and Metalite Tenor Pieces) even bigger.. I much prefer without the patches (and even more prefer the slimmer profile of the metal mouthpieces).

However, I don't have any pricey HR pieces yet so maybe when I do I will be more worried about protecting them.