Mouthpieces

[Tin Man]

The mouthpiece my P. Mauriat came with was a crappy one.I couldn't play loud at all and it just wouldn't project compared to my Selmer C*, and it looked so cheap and used.Did anyone elses P. Mauriat come with a crappy mouthpiece? And what kind of mouthpiece are you sporting on your P. Mauriat?

[SassenachSax]

Yep, my PMXA-67R came with a crappy plastic mouthpiece, complete with moulding marks, I don't know why they bothered. I've only tried playing it once and I wasn't impressed.

I'm using an ebonite Otto Link 5* at the moment which sounds good on the P. Mauriat.

Disclaimer: I've only been playing six months, so anything I might say could be misinformed or plain wrong.

[thj]

I have a PMA 67 and use a Morgan Vintage 6. It's free blowing and sounds wonderful to me. Low notes just bubble out even very softly. I've had the mouthpiece about a year, and sometimes think I'd like to try a Morgan Excalibur.

[bradshawm]

Mine also came with a worthless plastic piece that somewhat resembles a meyer. The rails were extremely uneven and the reed would not seal. I use a Morgan Jazz 6L and absolutely love it.

[nachoman]

My 66R tenor is currently sounding superb with a Berg Larsen grained ebonite 105/2- superb mellow tone and really big projection. love it...

[shotgun]

I'm using an early Babbitt Otto Link STM #9. Just got the horn and I'm still working on getting the right reed.

[bari_saxxy]

I have a PMSS-64 soprano that I love! I play mainly classical music, so I play a Vandoren Optimum SL3 on the curved neck. I haven't had the chance to try it in a jazz setting, but I'd probably use the straight neck. The original mouthpiece is crap. I heard that PM isn't very happy with the current pieces from their supplier and will be changing suppliers soon.

[Yellowhorn]

Gentlemen,

The general consensus on original mpcs that come with horns (any brand, not just PM) is that they are CRAPPY.

In my experience with a tenor and alto (both black pearl) from PM, the mpc that came with the alto was exactly how you all have described yours. As for the one with the tenor, the mpc was even chipped at the neck end of it. NEVERTHELESS, I have found that my PM tenor mpc makes the best sound on the horn, despite being chipped and all. I tried it next to some Vandoren and Lebayle mpcs (metal and ebonite), and it came out the winner. So, I keep using it on my tenor because of the sound it makes.

As for the alto, I am using a Vandoren A45 Java, and it sings.

[The Salmon Thief]

I've got a PMXA-67R (best sax I've ever played, I should add) , which did not come with any sort of mouthpiece :\ ...I play it with a Selmer C*, though. Sounds quite good. Still experimenting with different ligatures.

[senior]

I have a P. Mauriat 66R Tenor that came with a chunk of plastic that is laughingly refered to as a mouthpiece. I exspected that when I bought it. I had Springer make me a mouthpiece that works very well but not quite as good as my Otto Link NY STM 5. I have on occasion tried other mouthpieces but nothing works as well as the Otto. In my case, it seems to be a perfect match between the Sax and myself.

[BBJQSAX]

I had a fantastic time trying the rolled tone-hole tenor at IAJE with my Freddie Gregory mark II 7**. True, the mouthpiece IS incredible, but the combination with that horn is downright lethal. First time I just could NOT put a horn down when it comes to tenors.

[JuliusTole]

BBJQ,

still thinking about that 66R. Played w/ your brother @ Swing 46 Mon- killin as usual. Good luck at the Kennedy Center this weekend. Did something there with Louis Hayes not too long ago. I think they might be broadcasting it today on NPR.

as far as the post.
My alto came with a mpc that was pretty horrible, but have you checked out the ligature!!! I think it plays great and I'm gonna have them send me some more. Roger G mentioned to me awhile ago that they're working on a quality mpc for the horn.

[GAS_Wyo]

Julius has them all!

I played an Otto Link Tone Edge 6* on the 67R alto
...an Otto Link NY STM 7 on the 66R Tenor.

[92hatchattack]

Wow, ive been reading some mouthpiece threads here about whats best with the PM horns. I can honestly say my head hurts. There seem to be so many diffrent pieces. I guess you guys that have been around and try diffrent ones out from time to time know more about them, but im lost.

I originaly thought that i would just use the moutpiece that came with the horn at first, but if its as bad as most say, maaybe i should took into investing into a moderate mp. I hear the otto links come up alot. Is this the versions more of you own or are talking about ??? http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Otto-Link-5-Tenor-Sax-Metal-Mouthpiece?sku=462453

[jazzhart]

That is the Otto Link folks are talking about when they mention the STM Link. I have tried a Link STM 8, and 6 and they did pretty well for me. However, I'm most pleased with the tone quality, response and color that my Ponzol ML 100 gives with a Hempke 3 reed. This combo simply pops for me in my big band setting. As far as the original MP... makes a fair doorstop!

[92hatchattack]

is there a difference between the tone master and the super tone master???

[-88-]

I think you mean the Tone Edge, it's a black HR piece. I have two Super Tone Masters (STM), one reworked by a mouthpiece artist (Mojo). They are metal. The Link-Mojo STM is a fine piece.

For substantially less money than a well worked STM, you can get a Vandoren V16 T77 and the chances that it will be excellent RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX, are large. Vandoren, IMHO puts a lot of focus on details.

The T77 plays and sounds to my ears as the twin brother to my Dukoff Hollywood 7* (a vintage piece if you can find one, you'd likely need to hire a mouthpiece artist to fix, add up to $250 to the acquisition cost). The T77 will play better for the money than an STM unless you have luck on your side and get a good one (else you'll need to send it off to a mouthpiece artist to make it right). You won't likely have that problem with the Vandoren T77 and it only costs $250 to begin with (add $85 for the Optimum ligature or you can use a cheapie till you can buy the great Optimum). Plus the T-77 is drop dead beautiful workmanship. Oh, and I like the sound better than my STM.

Just figure you are going to spend a sax worth of money on mouthpieces -- oh you know you will! Everyone says don't do that. Everyone has a closet full of mouthpieces. Hah! So at least get the best.

The ones mentioned here are good plus the last two are great HR pieces.

Ponzol ML 100
Link STM 6 or 7 or 7*
Dukoff Hollywood 6 or 7 or 7*
Vandoren T-77
Morgan Jazz 6L
Lamberson 6sb
RPC 105

Buy the most affordable one first, play it for a year, then try another.

[92hatchattack]

88,

Thanks for the post. Ive actualy been talking to mojo, and he strongly recoemended that i not start off with too wide a tip opening as it could force me into bad habits. He definatly recomended me not going any more open than .090. Actualy recomended that i stay around .080, but i may go a little more open so that i have room to grow with the mouthpiece.

So right now im between the vandoren t20 and the vandoren Jave T45. Any insight on either of these??? Also, like u said i may not want to invest into the ligature right away. Will the cheapy off the stock P.M. fit and work on the vandoren for a little while????

[The Meat]

P.Mauriat has recently upgraded their stock mouthpiece. I have seen the old ones and you guys are right, pretty bad to say the least. But the new MP coming with the horn is decent, rails look very nice and the tip is even.

The stock MP would never influence my purchase but it would be nice to have something decent. I think they've got something very playable in the case now.

[BBJQSAX]

Well, on the 67R, I had to switch from a Vandoren A9 Medium (chamber) to a A9 Small chamber in order to get a more traditional "alto" voice out of the instrument. Very happy with the sound and the axe since making that switch.

I play a Freddie Gregory MK II (7** or 8) on tenor and I'm digging the sound of the horn, though its playing REALLY sharp above G2 at the moment. Trying to figure that one out. Still learning both horns right now, so we'll see how it goes in a week.

Peace,

Rahsaan

[Yellowhorn]

Rahsaan -

I have yet to see the new stock PM mpc you mentioned, but in my experience with several PM horns so far, the pieces that have the PM logo engraved on them are better than the ones that don't. I don't know why that is the case.

[silentbutdeadly314]

I have a P.Mauriat Black Pearl and the instrument is just beautiful by the way. Right now im using a Guardala Super King mouthopiece and the sound im getting is too bright and when i play above a high E and up into altissimo it sounds to thin. Im a contemporary player(smooth jazz,gospel) Any suggestions to what mouthpiece could be a good fit??

[buddy lee]

I just picked up a PMXT-66R last night, and I'm using a Meyer 6 Medium chamber on it. Extremely easy to play, projects like a beast...

Really, try one out.

[tombg14]

I picked up the same horn from a seller on this forum about a week ago, and I'm really enjoying it too. I'm playing a florida link STM 6* on it, and it gives it a nice edge, especially in the higher register. I got to bring it to rehearsal for the first time tonight--the guys in my band, who probably wouldn't notice if I came in with a flaming pink sax, immediately heard a difference in the sound without me telling them first I had bought a new horn. It seems to really project. From just playing it at home, I was a little concerned that the sound would be too 'round' for the funk-ish band I'm playing with, but it feels like its actually got a lot of punch to it. I think the link helps alot too.

[trane in training]

I use Selmer soloist D and C** (depending on how quiet I need to play...;)) on my 66R-GL and they're both phenomenal, but if you are going to try any mpc, get at least three or four to try, as most mouthpieces, even of the same model, vary considerably in all aspects.