[Bill C]

I am looking to try some Beechler Diamond inlay mpc's and am looking for a good starting point.

I currently play either a Dukoff D6 or a Vandoren Jumbo Java A45 with Java 3 1/2 reeds.

What suggestions do you have for a beechler diamond inlay?

I was thinking prob a s6s or an s7s.


thanks Bill

 

[jd]

I use the jumbo java a45 and a d6 dukoff too. Ive tried the beechler diamonds and they were good too but harder to control for me. id say stand pat unless you can try first.they flat sharper than the ones your using so tuning is an adjustment but you might like them.

 

[MM]

I would say S7S or S7L. If you want to go a bit rounder sound, M6S or S6L. For some reason, the long L facings are harder to find. Yes, I have noticed the S small chamber to be difficult to tune.

Also worth trying is a Lakey 7*3.

Certainly it is best to try before buying if possible.

 

[Bill C]

Thats my plan, I want to find a few to try an order off wwbw. I pretty much decided to sell the D6 I think the jumbo has more range. But Its still not "the sound" I am looking for...close, but not it.

 

[SaxyJ]

Beechlers are brutally LOUD, however...

I bought one (Beechler Diamond Inlay) some weeks ago (S4L). Although I bought it with a small tip of .0070 and a long facing to lower the volume, it was still brutally too loud for my use. It was also obvious to the listeners that that the mpc was just too loud as well (though, I must admit, it has a beautiful sound). I returned it and replaced it with a Meyer 5 large chamber, which I must say, is my kind of mouthpiece (I love a thick, rich and dark sound).

Overall, however, Beechlers are very good mouthpieces. Though the one I had was loud, it gave a similar sound to the popular metal mouthpieces that cost significantly more (think of artists as Gerald Albright). If you are looking for a loud, contemporary-style sound, do not hesitate to try the Beechler Diamond Inlay with the small chamber.

 

[MM]

The medium chamber Beechlers are not brutally loud, just a notch up from a Meyer medium chamber.

SaxyJ, you say your sound with the S4L was harsh and beautiful. I have a hard time getting my head around that concept. Anyway, I would think you tend to play all mouthpieces on the bright side. There is nothing wrong with that; it just means you ought to move toward a darker mouthpiece than is usual for a certain playing situation. We're all different.

 

[Bill C]

I play a dukoff and a jumbo java...loud is not an issue for me....lol

No seriously, I dont have a problem controlling a loud mouthpiece. I have a meyer 5m as well, and really only use that for classical or maybe real book stuff. But when I really want to wail on the horn the buyer dies at the top end, not to mention its a really soft sounding piece.

Thats prob why I am looking for some advice. I need a comparable mouthpiece to the jumbo java or dukoff. Like I said the meyer dies on the top register I tried the reg java a35/45 etc too and found that that piece was just thesame as a meyer. I think I am concerned about facing length and baffle.

I think I would feel really restricted playing a .70, I mean I found it difficult with the meyer which is larger than that.

 

[SaxyJ]

SaxyJ, you say your sound with the S4L was harsh and beautiful. I have a hard time getting my head around that concept.

Lol, that came out wrong. I meant it was "very loud but beautiful."

I think I would feel really restricted playing a .70, I mean I found it difficult with the meyer which is larger than that.

I am starting to feel you on that. When I used it a few days ago for a performance, though it has a wonderful, elegant sound, I did notice a lack in volume. I may have to buy a Meyer 7L pretty soon...

 

[ChuBerry47]

My teacher played a nine, but said that he loved the sound, but hated it because it would make squeaks, but that was said to be a facing problem when the mouthpiece was made.

 

[MM]

Bill C, I guess I would say try the Beechler S7S or S8S, or a Lakey 7*3. It's not clear what you want different from your Jumbo or Dukoff. But the Lakey or Beechler small chambers get their brightness from having a small chamber which gives a different sound and feel than the high wedge baffle of the Jumbo and Dukoff. I can't put it into words very well so you'll have to try one for yourself I guess.

Unfortunately both these brands are not always faced very well, so try several....or buy one cheap and have the facing worked on.

 

[Martinman]

Bill C, I guess I would say try the Beechler S7S or S8S, or a Lakey 7*3. It's not clear what you want different from your Jumbo or Dukoff. But the Lakey or Beechler small chambers get their brightness from having a small chamber which gives a different sound and feel than the high wedge baffle of the Jumbo and Dukoff. I can't put it into words very well so you'll have to try one for yourself I guess.

Unfortunately both these brands are not always faced very well, so try several....or buy one cheap and have the facing worked on.

It is possible to use a high baffle piece to sound like you are playing a small chamber piece. When I try I can sound kinda like Eric Marienthal on my alto with my Dukoff. It sounds edgier than him, but the core is there.

 

[Bill C]

Hey MM (or whoever else may be able to answer) Excuse my ignorance here. In regards to the facings being poorly manufactired. What types of issues does this cause? What should I look for to determine if I have an issue such as this. Also what is involved in getting this corrected and what is a typical cost? Sorry if I sound uneducated in this matter, but I have been playing the same mpc's for the last 20+ years (except for the newly aquired jumo java) and have not ever had this type of work done to a mpc.

As far as sound goes I am looking for something a little brighter and with more edge than the jumbo java but more mid/low register control than the dukoff. Its one of those things that I have a sound in my head and am just trying to find it.

I have tried alot of different pcs but not the Beechlers (or lakey's for that matter) and it seems that the majority of my favorite players sound are all playing Beechlers. So I figured that might be a good place to go. I was concerned about the facing length though in regards to being freeblowing. I think the Jumbo and Dukoff have long facings/higher baffles. Someone told me that was why I didnt like the reg java because of a lower baffle/shorter facing. I huess I am not educated enough in mpcs at this point. ( a harsh reality) But thats whats great about a forum~~!!

 

[MM]

Bill, a bad facing will be more work to play, not respond well to articulation, have dead spots in the range or not play well either up high or down low and/or be very reed_picky. I have had good experience with Mojo and Ed Zentera, both of whom contribute to this forum and Bob Carpenter who is based in the Seattle area. Other forum members said good things about The Mouthpiece Guys. Try doing a search for refacing. A total reface can be $50 to $100 for a rubber or plastic piece, less for a tweak but more for metal.

Martinman, I could be wrong but I think Marienthal uses a metal Beechler, which is quite different (more contemporary sounding) that the Diamond Inlay. Then again the DI's are practically 3 different designs between the small, med and large chamber. As you say the sax is very flexible. Sometimes mouthpiece choice is more of a matter of player comfort.

IMO though the Beechler will NOT be brighter with more edge than a good Dukoff D. By all means, still give some of these a try. In fact for brighter, try Lakey 6*3 also. But I also recommend either having your Dukoff checked out or trying some other Dukoffs since you may stumble upon a better one. For me, Dukoffs work best in the 8-9 tip with a medium/med-soft reed. Reeds are another important variable and possibly a different reed type or strength will give you what you want.

 

[Martinman]

Martinman, I could be wrong but I think Marienthal uses a metal Beechler, which is quite different (more contemporary sounding) that the Diamond Inlay. Then again the DI's are practically 3 different designs between the small, med and large chamber. As you say the sax is very flexible. Sometimes mouthpiece choice is more of a matter of player comfort.

You are correct; he uses a Beechler Bellite. I forgot that the question was about the Diamond Inlays. I have never played one, but there is a guy at my school who does, and he sounds a lot like Marienthal, so I figured they were similar. I don't know what chamber size he plays though.

 

[super20dan]

think jay beckinstine (spyro gyro) when you think of diamond inlay

 

[Bill C]

yes Beckenstein! Thats the sound I am looking for. I know alot of people have mixed opinions, but I personally like the sound, and the player. so sounds like I need to try s6,7,8s, lakey 7*3 and maynt a beelite 7*?

Anyone disagree with that or have any opinions or suggestions?

 

[Martinman]

yes Beckenstein! Thats the sound I am looking for. I know alot of people have mixed opinions, but I personally like the sound, and the player. so sounds like I need to try s6,7,8s, lakey 7*3 and maynt a beelite 7*?

Anyone disagree with that or have any opinions or suggestions?

Just try that stuff and see what gets you closest.

 

[super20dan]

i think j beckinstine plays the m model but not shure. try as many lakey models as you can -they are all different to a certain degree. i like the 5*3 and 4*3 my self . the runyon jazz custom gives me this kind of sound also and is eaiser to control intonation

 

[Bob M]

Anyone know if there is any difference between the current Beechler Diamond Inlay pieces and the vintage ones with the black dot in the white diamond?


(Aside from the dot, of course)

 

[MM]

Some folks believe anything vintage is better. Not sure it that is true for my body... But a guy who was a Beechler dealer claims there is no difference. However, Beechler used to have a pretty good tech to do their facing work who is no longer on their staff. So any Beechler DI newer than about 15 yrs may not be faced so well, whether it has a dot or not.

I have a different question. Beechler and Lakey mouthpieces are made from a very soft gummy plastic which makes refacing them a bit tricky. Is there any reason to assume this affect how long the facing stays put, or only how readily they get tooth marks?