Zephyr Special Alto MPC recommendations

[A.C.]

I have a Zephyr Special alto (237777)with a Buescher MPC that plays so much more in tune on this horn than newer MPC's (and I've tried a lot). I've had the Buescher opened up and refaced, and I'm really happy with it's tone. However, sometimes I want something that's a little more responsive.
Have any Zephyr players had luck with other vintage mouthpieces? The Buescher is shorter than all of the newer ones.

[Hornlip]

Best playing mouthpiece so far on my '37 Zephyr is an old Brilhart Special. They only came in one facing/tip opening. Nice tone, maybe just a trifle too dark for my taste.

[A.C.]

I just got a Broadus perfected model, and I couldn't be happier with how it plays on the Zephyr Special. It reminds me of the Buescher mouthpiece tone-wise, but it's more responsive and can be pushed more. The intonation is good, too: I will probably stick with this one after going through about 1/2 dozen other mouthpieces.

[shimshon]

A.C., I'm waiting for delivery of a 229xxx Special alto. Wondering what other pieces you've tried. Have you tried a Meyer, or Meyer type; Berg
Larsen or Berg Larsen type? What I've got for starters are a Vandoren V16 A6M, and a Lawton ebonite 7*B. I'll post results with these, in a few weeks.

[mr00420]

I have an early Zephyer II so it shouldn't be much different than the Zephyer Special... I'm currently using a Meyer 5M and a Lakey 6*. I prefer the Lakey for a rougher sound. The Meyer is great for anything really, but it's really got a generally more "bop" sound... (it's good for practicing in cramped, paper thin walled apartments too.)

[A.C.]

Every mouthpiece I've used had its pluses and minuses. The problem with the newer ones wasn't the sound, it was the tuning. The older short shank mouthpieces brought my Zephyr Special more in tune with itself.
Ive tried a Link - nice, rich, focused, smooth sound - need chops galore to play it, though. A Selmer C* - nice tone, but somewhat lacking in personality. A JodyJazz - very "modern" sounding and flexible. A Brilhart Personaline - it could peel paint - very loud and very bright. But playing bright mouthpieces on a King is like pouring sugar on frosted flakes IMHO.
The Broadus is nicely balanced; it's sound reminds me of saxophonists that I like to listen to. Broaduses have often been compared to Meyers. There's a website (http://mpcroom.hp.infoseek.co.jp/AltoMouthpiece.html) that has a lot of different mouthpieces and how they sound. I would say that the Broadus reminds me of the Meyer tru-flex on that sight, maybe a little more projection and brighter. The new metal Link on that sight sounds just like mine - although I'm sure he probably wasn't playing a Zephyr Special.
Each piece has unique voicings and "adaptations" that you need to make with them. Each piece has different areas of the horn that they are strong in. If you know that, you can adapt your technique to bring out the richest tone. That's why I'm going to stick with this one for a while - switching around mouthpieces has its drawbacks - chiefly not being able to really refine the way you interact with it to get your desired sound.
However, I'm glad I have experimented up to now.
Now it's on to reeds!

[yaucante]

I'm late on this one. I recently bought a 229x silver zephyr that is close enough to a special. It makes quite a difference from my Yam custom of course but I must say this instrument is so capricious when it comes to set-ups.

I've always played Berg (105/2 SMS, mostly, for a darker sound with some air) and I first tried a Meyer 7M. The result has been very disappointing in the high register (really out of tune). I also have a Meliphone special k5 that sounds very nice but it still has this intonation problem that may also come from the double-octave shift between G2 and A2. Finally, the berg is the winner, although I will probably go down to a smaller tip opening. I'm curious to know about your intonation problems guys !!!

y.