Mouthpieces Why (or why not) PPT mouthpieces?

[BalancedReaction]

I've got a tenor PPT 7 last summer, and I'm very happy with it. The first impression was actually the best of any mouthpiece I've experienced. It's the semi-unique "Garbarek" model with RM facing.
From the photos, I was afraid of squeaks due to the height of the baffle, but in person, it's much less pronounced, and it's actually easy to control overall.
It has strong and accessible altissimo. Where it stands even more apart is the subtone. It's absurdly effortless. I can blow as lazily as I can, and it still won't choke.
To put it to perspective, it's louder, more agile and a bit brighter than both my D'Addario Select Jazz and Phil-Tone Eclipse.

These mouthpieces are also diametrically (pun intended) different. I can barely squeeze the D'Addario onto the cork, whereas the PPT has huge bore and wobbles.
Moisture even seeps through the PPT shank on the cork. I guess it must then also leak air which probably somehow hinders its playability. Well, it plays great anyway.

Would I be interested in soprano or alto PPT? Well, definitely, if I weren't playing tenor almost exclusively.

 

[dooce]

I've used PPT pieces on sop, tenor and bari and at various times they have all been my go-to, do-anything mouthpieces. I'm not great at describing their attributes in meaningful terms and I suspect that every sax-player will find they work, or not, in different ways. All I can say is that for me they always been affordable, consistent, flexible, trouble-free and a pleasure to play.

 

[cappers]

Update as promised.........

I think this is a lovely mpc and I'm sure I'll 'grow' into it.

Booked the alto in for a service and hope this will sort out any issues. I'll update once it's been seen.

The alto (YAS-25) is back from a full strip down service with new pads and had never played so easily and nicely.

Using the PPT-5M (as marked on the table) and now the horn is fixed there is no more squealing or overtoning. It's going to take some time and practise to control it but the mpc is very responsive, articulation is easy and I can play softly and quietly to loud and full. Looks good too. A Rovner L1-R (L5) Bb clarinet ligature fits perfectly.

Very different to and nicer than the Yamaha 4C, far more depth and colour. My only criticism, and it's early days and more likely me not the mpc, is that it can be a bit bright. I've heard @Pete Thomas ' PPT alto soundclips and I know it can be made to sound darker/warmer so I need to work on that.

Looking forward to 'taming' it, I can hear it's potential.

 

[Pete Thomas]

alto soundclips and I know it can be made to sound darker/warmer so I need to work on that.

Try with your embouchure so you dont take in so much mouthpiece. This could be the issue along wit needing to relax a bit more.

 

[cappers]

Try with your embouchure so you dont take in so much mouthpiece. This could be the issue along wit needing to relax a bit more.

Yes, trying to find the sweet spot. My embouchure is more relaxed now after playing the tenor for a year but I know I can tense up. Same for breath support. But listening to a short recording I made it actually sounds less bright than I heard when playing it, if that makes sense.

Just need some time on it.

 

[Pete Thomas]

But listening to a short recording I made it actually sounds less bright than I heard when playing it

Total sense. Recordings often seem less or more bright due to many many factors from recording equipment quality to bone conduction.

 

[cappers]

The more I play the alto PPT the more I love it! Using Alexander Superial DC 2s.
Easy to blow, from the quietest I've ever played to roaring loud without losing control. Flexible too, I am able to bend and manipulate my sound far more than on the 5C.
Beginning to tame any brightness by adjusting mouthpiece depth and proper breath support.
Managed subtoning today, no Ben Webster but a lovely soft, smokey, woofy sound.
A work in progress but so far very good. Glad to know I didn't make a mistake in my fit of GAS!

 

[Colin the Bear]

To be Frank, I don't know why not. Probably because at this present time, I'm quite settled on my mouthpieces. Being a bit obsessive I'd have to go for The SATB set.

They're on my radar. A new alto is next on my shopping list. Then, who knows?

 

[Dr G]

The more I play the alto PPT the more I love it! Using Alexander Superial DC 2s.
Easy to blow, from the quietest I've ever played to roaring loud without losing control. Flexible too, I am able to bend and manipulate my sound far more than on the 5C.
Beginning to tame any brightness by adjusting mouthpiece depth and proper breath support.
Managed subtoning today, no Ben Webster but a lovely soft, smokey, woofy sound.
A work in progress but so far very good. Glad to know I didn't make a mistake in my fit of GAS!

Huzzah and congrats! Isn't it fun to discover just how broad a range of tones and dynamics can be covered with one mouthpiece? One mouthpiece to rule them all. That's the cure for GAS.

 

[cappers]

I'm happy. The PPT for the alto and the Soloist for the tenor gives me what I'm looking for. Now to master them.

 

[Cimarron]

Every once in awhile (maybe every five years or so) I like to post a marketing thread, I think that’s fair enough isn’t it?

First thanks to all you PPT players, all the money we make helps to keep the forum alive and of course goes towards our fund to help special needs music education.

But also I do sincerely believe these are stunningly great mouthpieces.

So here’s a little market research, please let us know your thoughts, maybe we could do a pass around

We’re ready for another one let’s go