Mouthpiece reviews Reviews Sought - Alto Durga & Mindi Abair Mouthpiece?

[Craig Selwyn]

Hi All

I'm considering a new mouthpiece for pop & jazz playing.
On my shortlist are the Alto Durga & Mindi Abair pieces from Theo Wanne.
I just wondered if anyone has played these pieces and could please give me their thoughts?

I generally play on a Meyer HR but need something that will cut through in a pop environment but also be flexible enough to play jazz ballads as well ! 🙂
I'm looking for something that is full bodied with not too much edge and is pretty free blowing.
Do feel free to also recommend any other pieces that might fit the bill?

Many thanks, Craig

 

[David Roach]

I have played a few of the Durga 3 altos in ebonite and this new ART material that Theo Wanne is now promoting.

Although I've been used to playing mouthpieces with much lower baffles over the last few years, I played a Dukoff 8 and a Brillhart Level-Air in the 1980s so I sort of know what to expect.

I played mostly #7 & #8 tips with Java reeds. I found them all rather shallow feeling and was not able to achieve a comfortable depth of sound from them. This was maybe because I was not used to the extremely high baffles, BUT, I played a couple of Shiva tenor pieces recently (an 8 in ebonite and a 9 in metal) and had no problem getting a good balance of sound, within the spectrum of a high-baffle mouthpiece (and liked them, but not quite enough to buy one).

I have not played the Mindi Abair. But, I have played a Drake Contemporary recently that IMO had a much better balance of sound than the Durga 3s and is half the price.

I do like Theo's pieces, and played exclusively on a Gaia tenor for a couple of years; I like the new New York Bros alto pieces too, but I find the Durga altos too thin in tone. It seems to me that there is a huge gap in Theo's alto pieces at the moment because the difference between a Gaia alto and a Durga is emormous. If he made something in between I would probably buy one.

I have found that getting access to high baffle pieces is a bit tricky nowadays. In the 80s and 90s you couldn't avoid them, but now it seems shops are less inclined to stock them, I've been quoted a 5/6 month wait for a Drake Contemporary tenor by Sax.co.uk!

 

[Craig Selwyn]

I have played a few of the Durga 3 altos in ebonite and this new ART material that Theo Wanne is now promoting.

Although I've been used to playing mouthpieces with much lower baffles over the last few years, I played a Dukoff 8 and a Brillhart Level-Air in the 1980s so I sort of know what to expect.

I played mostly #7 & #8 tips with Java reeds. I found them all rather shallow feeling and was not able to achieve a comfortable depth of sound from them. This was maybe because I was not used to the extremely high baffles, BUT, I played a couple of Shiva tenor pieces recently (an 8 in ebonite and a 9 in metal) and had no problem getting a good balance of sound, within the spectrum of a high-baffle mouthpiece (and liked them, but not quite enough to buy one).

I have not played the Mindi Abair. But, I have played a Drake Contemporary recently that IMO had a much better balance of sound than the Durga 3s and is half the price.

I do like Theo's pieces, and played exclusively on a Gaia tenor for a couple of years; I like the new New York Bros alto pieces too, but I find the Durga altos too thin in tone. It seems to me that there is a huge gap in Theo's alto pieces at the moment because the difference between a Gaia alto and a Durga is emormous. If he made something in between I would probably buy one.

I have found that getting access to high baffle pieces is a bit tricky nowadays. In the 80s and 90s you couldn't avoid them, but now it seems shops are less inclined to stock them, I've been quoted a 5/6 month wait for a Drake Contemporary tenor by Sax.co.uk!

Hi David

Many thanks for such a detailed reply, that gives me some food for thought.
Sounds like the Drake Contemporary will be added to my short list! (I do like a bargain!)

Thanks again, Craig

 

[David Roach]

Hi David
Many thanks for such a detailed reply, that gives me some food for thought.
Sounds like the Drake Contemporary will be added to my short list! (I do like a bargain!)
Thanks again, Craig

Hi Craig, no probs!
I should say that I prefer the shape of ebonite mouthpieces. The Mindi Abair and the Mantra which are both metal probably do fill the gap in Theo's pieces that I mentioned. I tried a Mantra alto some time ago and thought that it played like a very good version of a Beechler Bellite (which is not surprising because that's basically what it is) but the thin shape is no longer to my liking.

 

[Craig Selwyn]

Hi Craig, no probs!
I should say that I prefer the shape of ebonite mouthpieces. The Mindi Abair and the Mantra which are both metal probably do fill the gap in Theo's pieces that I mentioned. I tried a Mantra alto some time ago and thought that it played like a very good version of a Beechler Bellite (which is not surprising because that's basically what it is) but the thin shape is no longer to my liking.

Thanks David, My preference would also be ebonite if possible due to the shape and feel.

 

[Jeanette]

Sounds like the Drake Contemporary will be added to my short list! (I do like a bargain!)

Contact @Dick Hamer at Mouthpieces South Wales Woodwind he stocks Drake mouthpieces 🙂

A really nice guy.

Jx

 

[Craig Selwyn]

Contact @Dick Hamer at Mouthpieces South Wales Woodwind he stocks Drake mouthpieces 🙂

A really nice guy.

Jx

Thanks Jeanette, I appreciate you letting me know.

 

[Nick Wyver]

And PPTs, of course.

 

[Craig Selwyn]

And PPTs, of course.

Thanks Nick