Mouthpieces where have all the mpc's gone?

[peedee]

Hi all
why is it, when I am looking for one, there are hardly any mpc's, not the type I'm looking for anyway, on Ebay?
I've been playing my tenor for about a year now, with my trusty, cheap and cheerful plastic Yamaha mpc 5C and now feel I want to widen the gap a little, and try a 6 or 7.
I bought a Vandoren Java T75 S/H off Ebay a while back, and found the beast too hard to tame, at the moment anyway. At the start it sounds great, but after a few bars my lip starts to flop a bit, and I'm panting for breath. So I decided I'm not quite ready for that one yet!
After having an ebonite mpc in my mouth, it felt better than the plastic Yammy, never liked plastic anyway! So rather than upgrade to another one, I thought I would look for a Berg Larsen, or Otto Link, or somesuch mpc. Looking on Ebay (I don't want the cost of a new one) there's nothing of that ilk to be seen. A couple of new ones, and a vintage hard rubber, which looks a little worse for wear.
So, if anyone has, or knows of one for sale I would be most interested. If after rummaging through your drawers you find a 6 or 7 lay ebonite mpc you don't want, I'm your man! A percentage to Pete's charity of course.

Pete

 

[mfox]

just go to a good music shop try out a whole load of MPs and buy one.. (the music shop will be glad of the custom) otherwise you will buy a load of crap off of EBAY looking for the right MP..

support local independent traders

 

[peedee]

mfox wrote:
just go to a good music shop try out a whole load of MPs and buy one.. (the music shop will be glad of the custom) otherwise you will buy a load of crap off of EBAY looking for the right MP..

support local independent traders

Ok,point taken, but know of no local music shops that stock that many to try. Would have to travel up to sax.co.uk in London for that. Anyway, don't want to spend ?80 upwards for a mpc I may not like.

 

[TomMapfumo]

Hi PeeDee.

Nothing I've got, sorry. I would seriously recommend trying a Rico Graftonite Tenor (available in 85, 95, and 105 facings - 95 is a 6 - and S, M & L chambers) from Trevor Jones online at ?17.41.

I have just got an 7 facing medium chambered Soprano Graftonite and it
is great, competing very well with my ?90 -100 pieces. It would be worth trying and might help to see whether a 6 is right for you at this time.

Otherwise, do go softer on the reeds front if you can. I use a V16 T77
and started off playing a Marca Jazz 2. Now going to a 2.5 (they are fairly soft reeds, but if they are good enough for Gilad Atzmon then who am I to complain.

So:-
1. Get a 6 facing Graftonite for ?17.41
2. Buy a box of Marca Jazz 2's from Howarth's at ?9.00
3. Relax, and enjoy the increase in pleasure of 2 new playable options
for B****r All Money!

Only a thought.
Kind regards
Tom 8)

 

[griff136]

I have an older ebonite otto link 7 mouthpiece in great condition if you want it its ?40 no lig or cap though. It produces a really beefy dark tone I like it but I have my berg which suits me better.

if you want some pictures email me

[email protected]

 

[Basil]

You could always get yourself to John Packers in Taunton...not as far as London and you can spend all day trying them out. They have loads...and are really helpful (I find).

 

[peedee]

TomMapfumo wrote:
Hi PeeDee.

Nothing I've got, sorry. I would seriously recommend trying a Rico Graftonite Tenor (available in 85, 95, and 105 facings - 95 is a 6 - and S, M & L chambers) from Trevor Jones online at ?17.41.

I have just got an 7 facing medium chambered Soprano Graftonite and it
is great, competing very well with my ?90 -100 pieces. It would be worth trying and might help to see whether a 6 is right for you at this time.

Otherwise, do go softer on the reeds front if you can. I use a V16 T77
and started off playing a Marca Jazz 2. Now going to a 2.5 (they are fairly soft reeds, but if they are good enough for Gilad Atzmon then who am I to complain.

So:-
1. Get a 6 facing Graftonite for ?17.41
2. Buy a box of Marca Jazz 2's from Howarth's at ?9.00
3. Relax, and enjoy the increase in pleasure of 2 new playable options
for B****r All Money!

Only a thought.
Kind regards
Tom 8)

ok thanks for the advice Tom - noted.
re going soft on the reeds; was having trouble with squeaks on my gold plated metal mpc, tried various reeds, then found a Rico 1 1/2 (dunno where is the half sign on the keyboard) in my box, great! works fine no squeaks and I can even reach high E/F, and not too flat, would never have thought it. Had a few 1 1/2's when I first started then went up to a 2 and now 2 1/2.
Anyway, will consider your advice cheers
Pete

PS how did you enjoy Swanage. I think you were a week early for the folk fest. We didn't go as was peeing down anyway.
😡

 

[peedee]

griff136 wrote:
I have an older ebonite otto link 7 mouthpiece in great condition if you want it its ?40 no lig or cap though. It produces a really beefy dark tone I like it but I have my berg which suits me better.

if you want some pictures email me

[email protected]

Thanks for the offer Griff, sounds it could be what I'm looking for if you sure you don't mind parting with it. Will Email you.

 

[TomMapfumo]

Hi PeeDee!

Swanage was very enjoyable - even managed to get to the Badger brewery, along with Monkey World, The Ginger Pop shop and Lulworth Cove.

May go that way again, for a longer stay, but need to find somewhere to play my sax/trumpet.

Kind regards
Tom 8)

 

[peedee]

TomMapfumo wrote:
Hi PeeDee!

Swanage was very enjoyable - even managed to get to the Badger brewery, along with Monkey World, The Ginger Pop shop and Lulworth Cove.

May go that way again, for a longer stay, but need to find somewhere to play my sax/trumpet.

Kind regards
Tom 8)

Hi Tom
for busking anywhere on the front. There's a covered area used by performing bands if it's raining.
If just for practice, up on the hill behind the car park, school playing fields on the road out of Swanage, on the edge of the cliff overlooking Old Harry rocks, but look out for local music haters who might try to push you off!! The residents of Monkey World might appreciate a tune or two!
Tell me when, and I'll join you!!

Pete

 

[nosaxyet]

I've an ebonite Link 6 for sale in the yardsale area if you haven't found anything yet.

 

[peedee]

nosaxyet wrote:
I've an ebonite Link 6 for sale in the yardsale area if you haven't found anything yet.

ok cheers
didnt see that, noted anyway

 

[peedee]

TomMapfumo wrote:
Hi PeeDee.

Nothing I've got, sorry. I would seriously recommend trying a Rico Graftonite Tenor (available in 85, 95, and 105 facings - 95 is a 6 - and S, M & L chambers) from Trevor Jones online at ?17.41.

Hi again Tom
been looking at these mpcs and they have some great reviews. The material graftonite looks interesting too, some sort of rock crystal. Anyway, might well order one, at that price can't go far wrong. If I do, and like it, the breakfast room will know about it!

cheers

 

[TomMapfumo]

I have ordered a Tenor one - the C5 (small chamber) so will report if it ever arrives.
Would I ever let you down?! 8)

Kind regards
Tom

 

[peedee]

TomMapfumo wrote:
I have ordered a Tenor one - the C5 (small chamber) so will report if it ever arrives.
Would I ever let you down?! 8)

Kind regards
Tom

ok i'm gonna fone tomorrow for one, probably a C6. What you using on your tenor now then?

 

[TomMapfumo]

Hi PeeDee!

A C6 does not exist. A 3 (5*), or 5 (6*) or 7 (7*) are the options in either A (large chamber), B (medium) or C (small). I am interested in trying a C5 - should sound quite bright and tolerate a harder reed - for rock/funk type sounds (just out of curiosity, given the price)

I currently use a Vandoren V16 Metal T77/ Optimum Ligature/ Marca Jazz 2.5's, which is a pretty satisfying sound, but am keen on trying a Jumbo Java (I have a Java T55 as my back-up piece).

I still prefer my overall sound on Alto, however (Selmer Ref54/V16 7M/Evo-5/FL 2.5's), and that will remain my main instrument of choice.

Nighty night!
Tom 8)

 

[Lockjaw]

Hi PeeDee

Sorry for the late response, recently joined!

You might have sorted yourself out by now, but if not I have a Yanagisawa metal tenor #6 up for grabs. Nice smooth mouthpiece, barely used. I've not put it on Yardsale yet, but let me know if you're interested.

[Weirdly, when I bought it i quickly realised I needed a wider tip. So I then went on a long expensive jurney through Berg Larson, Guardala etc - anyone else been there? None suited me as well as my alto MP, so one day I went into Allegro Music in Oxford and described the problem. The guy said 'try this' and stuck an MP on my horn without showing me what it was.

We've never been parted since. The mouthpiece? A Yanagisawa metal tenor #8!]

Simon

 

[peedee]

Lockjaw wrote:
Hi PeeDee

Sorry for the late response, recently joined!

You might have sorted yourself out by now, but if not I have a Yanagisawa metal tenor #6 up for grabs. Nice smooth mouthpiece, barely used. I've not put it on Yardsale yet, but let me know if you're interested.

[Weirdly, when I bought it i quickly realised I needed a wider tip. So I then went on a long expensive jurney through Berg Larson, Guardala etc - anyone else been there? None suited me as well as my alto MP, so one day I went into Allegro Music in Oxford and described the problem. The guy said 'try this' and stuck an MP on my horn without showing me what it was.

We've never been parted since. The mouthpiece? A Yanagisawa metal tenor #8!]

Simon

Hey Yanni's all the way then!
Thanks for telling me about your mpc but fixed up ok now with a Rico Royal Graftonite, very satisfied, hope you sell yours ok
Pete