Markey 87/90 vs…

[TheBoneRanger]

Anyone with some face time with these pieces?

I tend to gravitate towards the Greg Black 1.25 rim, which we all know is bigger than most 1.25’s.

Is the 90 my best bet for the Markey pieces, or the 87?

Is the 90 smaller at the rim than, say, a Doug Elliot 114 or Greg Black 1G?

Andrew

[BassBoneFL]

I would suggest emailing Christan via Griego's website. He's very accessible and usually very quick to respond to clear, direct inquiries such as "I play X and was wondering which of your Markey pieces would be the closest fit?"

[tbonesullivan]

That's always a tough question, as you have the specs "on the sheet", but depending on the shape of the rim and where the measurements are taken, everything can vary. I'm always curious as to why the Bach 1 1/4G is "officially" 27.5 in diameter, but most "1 1/4G Size" mouthpieces are larger. The Greg Black 1 1/4G is 28.5mm, as is the Laskey 85MD, and the Hammond 20 is 28.58mm. All of these are supposed to be "1 1/4G" size.

On paper, the Markey 87 is 28.58mm and the 90 is 28.83mm

[Boneuphtoner]

The earlier comments that comparing specs can be difficult is spot on. However, on a recent trip to NJ, I recently got a chance to try both of these - the Yamaha Yeo at 28.7 mm is my usual bass piece. Using the Griego specs, the Yeo is in between the 87 and 90. I started off with the 87, because, using Laskey nomenclature (ignoring Griego's specs), that should be the exact same size as my Yeo. And the 87 definitely felt smaller on the face. The 90 felt about the same as the Yeo in terms of rim size - but the overall feel was still somewhat different as the Markey has a wider rim. If you are playing a Black 1-1/4, that on paper should be very close to the 87 as my Yeo is close in specs to the Black 1-1/8.

[ZacharyThornton]

I feel the 87 is closer to a Black 1 1/4 but there are so many other elements to consider. If you are not near a dealer to try them both out, try Dillons. They offer a 7 day trial period.
Good luck!

[Burgerbob]

I'd say 87.

[JeffBone44]

I have both a Markey 85 and 87. I would say that the 85 feels like DE's 112, and the 87 feels like DE's 113. But it is hard to tell because the rim contours are very different. For Doug's mouthpieces I use the medium wide contour, and the Markeys have a narrower rim width.

When I had the Greg Black 1 1/4 I felt like it was right in between the 85 and 87.

[Kbiggs]

I have both a Markey 85 and 87. I would say that the 85 feels like DE's 112, and the 87 feels like DE's 113. But it is hard to tell because the rim contours are very different. For Doug's mouthpieces I use the medium wide contour, and the Markeys have a narrower rim width.

When I had the Greg Black 1 1/4 I felt like it was right in between the 85 and 87.

I second this for how things feel on my chops.

FWIW, the ID rim of a GB 1 5/16 feels almost the same as a Markey 87, which feels almost the same as a DE 113. To me. The rim profiles are all a little different, though. YMMV.

[TheBoneRanger]

I ended up purchasing a Markey 90.

Very similar diameter to a Greg Black 1.25g, perhaps a fraction more room at the rim.

I can’t remember the last time I was this impressed with a new mouthpiece out of the box. From the first note on my Bach 50, it felt terrific. Laskey-esque in terms of clarity and overtones, but with more heft. Easy focus. Ringing, vibrant. And this may be my new favourite rim contour.

It’s everything that Christan and James describe. They’ve really nailed this design. Bravo