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Is there such difference between mouthpiece companies?
Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2020 2:05 pm
by ThienHuynh43
Is there really a difference between mouthpiece companies such as Greigo, Greg Black, Laskey and Hommond? Is there a different in quality between those companies?
Re: Is there such difference between mouthpiece companies?
Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2020 2:07 pm
by Burgerbob
A difference in quality? Probably not. A difference in design? Yes.
Re: Is there such difference between mouthpiece companies?
Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2020 5:44 pm
by harrisonreed
Yes
Re: Is there such difference between mouthpiece companies?
Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2020 6:20 pm
by BGuttman
Consider a mouthpiece to be like a pair of shoes.
If the size doesn't fit your feet they are useless.
They come in different kinds. You don't want to wear a pair of dress pumps to work out in the gym, and you don't want to wear Tennis Shoes to a fancy ball.
Generally you try to find a mouthpiece that fits your embouchure and is comfortable. Then you may choose it for certain characteristics understanding that there are always tradeoffs. You can correct for the things you traded off by practice.
Re: Is there such difference between mouthpiece companies?
Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2020 7:17 pm
by tbonesullivan
Definitely differences in design. It's really a very subtle combination of craftsmanship and art. Each maker has little tweaks and secrets that they use to get the effect they want.
Re: Is there such difference between mouthpiece companies?
Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2020 8:51 pm
by Thrawn22
tbonesullivan wrote: ↑Sun Mar 29, 2020 7:17 pm
Definitely differences in design. It's really a very subtle combination of craftsmanship and art. Each maker has little tweaks and secrets that they use to get the effect they want.
Or its completely random like throwing darts at board in gusty winds while blindfolded with a midget punching the designer (the thrower) in the nads with brassknuckles all the while a person using sign language is narrating the whole scene to Stevie Wonder.
Re: Is there such difference between mouthpiece companies?
Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2020 11:22 pm
by ZacharyThornton
Thrawn22 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 29, 2020 8:51 pm
tbonesullivan wrote: ↑Sun Mar 29, 2020 7:17 pm
Definitely differences in design. It's really a very subtle combination of craftsmanship and art. Each maker has little tweaks and secrets that they use to get the effect they want.
Or its completely random like throwing darts at board in gusty winds while blindfolded with a midget punching the designer (the thrower) in the nads with brassknuckles all the while a person using sign language is narrating the whole scene to Stevie Wonder.
None of the markers listed fit that profile. Everyone one of them are (or were in the case of Mr. Laskey) artists in their own right.
Re: Is there such difference between mouthpiece companies?
Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2020 12:12 am
by BGuttman
There are some mouthpieces that should be avoided. Often these come in boxes labeled "Mouth of Trombone" or some such. Very cheap and almost coincidentally related to the size marked on them.
The brands which we have discussed are all worth looking at. On the low cost end are Faxx and Kelly (plastic). Medium prices are Bach, Schilke, Yamaha, and Wick.
The number of better makers is huge. Ranging in price from just a little expensive to "holy cow!"
Note that a high price does not guarantee a great result.
Re: Is there such difference between mouthpiece companies?
Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2020 1:50 am
by DougHulme
We should mention Doug Elliot who not only has the most encyclopedic knowledge and skill when it comes to anything embouchure or mouthpiece but actually his design and modus operendi are almost unique and give a versatility unsurpassed by everyone else. Some do screw rims but few do a 3 part approach to the mouthpiece (Picketss maybe?) thats more versatility and opportunity to fine tune than most of us (without Dougs input) can cope with. I think Doug can claim a uniquness that almost no one else can?... Doug
Re: Is there such difference between mouthpiece companies?
Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2020 2:33 am
by FOSSIL
At the end of the day, design trumps engineering every time...as long as the engineering is adequate.... look at the price Mt Vernon and New York Bachs go for...build wise they are behind all the top modern makers, but they can be magical to play ,though the engineering quality means they vary hugely . You pay a lot and take a big risk.
Chris
Re: Is there such difference between mouthpiece companies?
Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2020 12:40 pm
by WGWTR180
DougHulme wrote: ↑Mon Mar 30, 2020 1:50 am
We should mention Doug Elliot who not only has the most encyclopedic knowledge and skill when it comes to anything embouchure or mouthpiece but actually his design and modus operendi are almost unique and give a versatility unsurpassed by everyone else. Some do screw rims but few do a 3 part approach to the mouthpiece (Picketss maybe?) thats more versatility and opportunity to fine tune than most of us (without Dougs input) can cope with. I think Doug can claim a uniquness that almost no one else can?... Doug
Your thoughts on Doug are spot on! Terry Warburton does offer multiple piece/part mouthpieces but I'm not sure if his line are 2 parts or 3.
FOSSIL wrote: ↑Mon Mar 30, 2020 2:33 am
At the end of the day, design trumps engineering every time...as long as the engineering is adequate.... look at the price Mt Vernon and New York Bachs go for...build wise they are behind all the top modern makers, but they can be magical to play ,though the engineering quality means they vary hugely . You pay a lot and take a big risk.
Chris
Very true on all accounts!!!
Re: Is there such difference between mouthpiece companies?
Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2020 4:19 pm
by BGuttman
Warburton has two part. Great mouthpieces, though. At least for me...