Is it hard rubber or plastic

[haonhien]

Before I got on this board, I thought all mouthpieces are made of plastic.

After I got on this board, I thought all mouthpieces are made of hard rubber.

(Well, except the metal ones, of course.)

Then I found out some are made of hard rubber and others are made of plastic.

How can I tell the difference? When I pick up a black mouthpiece how do I tell "this is hard rubber" or "this is plastic"?

Outside of the saxophone world, I didn't even know there's such a thing as "hard" rubber....

[Dave Dolson]

FWIW, I have a Conn Albert System clarinet made of hard rubber. Dave Kessler sells mouthpieces that are a combination of the two products.

I agree it is difficult to determine which material is involved, but I believe the plastic pieces are lighter and smoother to the touch. Could be wrong . . . DAVE

[makemyday]

From what I learned here "plastic" is a name used for a synthetic material consisting of several components. So one "plastic" can be harder or softer or lighter or whatever than the other "plastic". The same can be said of "hard rubber", although there may be a significant degree of another ingredient in there that causes people to talk about HR instead of plastic. But basicially they mean the same product: the black stuff that the mpc are made of, as opposed to metal (brass, copper, silverite - there you go) or hard wood. If you really want to know, use the search function (I was feeling too lazy to do it for you, so you're stuck for now with my two eurocents worth of advise).

[hornimprovement]

As previously indicated there are mouthpieces made of combined hard rubber and plastic. As a general rule, plastic mouthpieces have more shine and the black color is darker. Many mouthpieces by Brilhart, Runyon, or Beechler are made of plastic. Hard rubber mouthpieces are a bit duller (visually, not tonally)
and are more prone to discoloration. Some typical hard rubber mouthpieces are Meyer, Otto Link, Morgan (professional models). A Morgan Vintage is an example of a rubber/plastic combination. Try not to get too hung up on what it is made of. Try it out and see how it plays, that's the bottom line.

[Swingtone]

I agree, but still love that smell of a brand-spanking new HR mouthpiece--like a vintage Phil Barone or Otto Link Tone Edge. They also "taste" kind of good when you first start using them. So now it's out of the bag--like Michael Segell in "The Devil's Horn," I am truly a slave to this thing called sax--I drink, eat and sleep it (wasn't going to say drink until I remembered the spit I occasionally draw back up when I'm playing vigorously and taking a big breath--gross) :shock:.

[hornimprovement]

I just love the smell of sulphur in the morning...

[haonhien]

Thanks for all the information!

My next question is, is there a quality difference between one material or another? I can sort of guess the difference between wood or metal and rubber/plastic, but what quality of hard rubber makes it different from (and apparently preferred to) plastic?

BTW, is the rubber in a hard rubber mouthpiece vulcanized? Does the sulfur do something to/for the music???

I agree, but still love that smell of a brand-spanking new HR mouthpiece--like a vintage Phil Barone or Otto Link Tone Edge. They also "taste" kind of good when you first start using them.

Ummmm. What do they smell and taste like? If it's rubber (hard or otherwise) wouldn't it smell and taste like a car tire? :?

(This is off-topic, but while we're talking about smell and taste: they're selling flavored cork grease. What the hell???? :P)

[Swingtone]

Actually, it's even tastier...

[hornimprovement]

Haonhien, you're only about 20 minutes up the freeway from my shop. You should come down to the shop and try out most mouthpieces you will ever want to try.Taste them all, and see for yourself if hard rubber is the magic.
-Jeff

[Bernards20040]

(This is off-topic, but while we're talking about smell and taste: they're selling flavored cork grease. What the hell???? :P)

What !!! Dont you use yours as Chap stick as well as cork grease:shock:

[haonhien]

A tube of grape-flavored cork grease came in with a used saxophone that I bought. When I first took it out to grease the cork, the grape smell hit me and I had to look again to make sure it isn't a chapstick placed in there by mistake!

The things people invent these days.....

Haonhien, you're only about 20 minutes up the freeway from my shop. You should come down to the shop and try out most mouthpieces you will ever want to try.Taste them all, and see for yourself if hard rubber is the magic.
-Jeff

Maybe I will. Just sent you a private message.

[jacobeid]

The way I've been able to tell mostly is the shinyness of the material. Plastic will be very shiny, while HR may be more dull and maybe an off-black. Also the smell is a clear giveaway.