Dave Guardala King mpc

I have a DG KING silverplate. With the correct reed (experiment) it sounds absolutly amazing. Great playablity from Bb ppp to FFF altisimmo.

On the other hand, when I use another type of reed on my Otto Link STM 8*(with personally added baffle) I sound almost the same. It has the same resistance and feel. Strange ... isn't it. It goes for all MPCs. After a while the sound is you, not the MPC.

What 's really imporant (to me that is) is the playability. If it feels good, you can shape the sound and make it work for you. What's equaly important is reeds. The sound and feel of these are a big part of your setup, someting I tend to overlook myself.

Anyway, the DG KING is a very good MPC, but pricy. Try every MPC you can get your hands on. Then make a decision.

Considering what WWBW is selling them for, I wouldn't consider them pricy at all right now...

Sold one I had to a smooth jazz player in Houston and he loves it-- and sounds good on the King model-- if you sound good on it as --Bob Barker use to say --"the price is right"

switched from a super king to a king about a few weeks ago.. i like it much better more body to the sound and pp to ff is no problem.. I still need a lot of practise with it but what i like about it most is you can push it and it does not sound thiny.. but the super king was alot easier to play

you really can't tell a mouthpiece just from the make 2 mouthpieces of the same kind still can play alot differently

i have a super king for sale if interested.. i really don't get why the king is so cheap now on wwbw and on ebay a really great mouthpiece in my opinion

SoulMate said:

After a while the sound is you, not the MPC.

If it feels good, you can shape the sound and make it work for you. What's equaly important is reeds. The sound and feel of these are a big part of your setup, someting I tend to overlook myself.

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I hear that!

OK I choped the quote about a little but I totally agree that in the end....you come through what ever you play.

As a less experienced player the mouthpiece is more dominant in shaping the sound you produce. You choose accordingly to help acheive 'a style'.

The more experienced you become, the boot is on the other foot and as you start demanding your sound, your mouthpiece choice is more about the versatilty & feel of the piece to take you through anything, anyhow you want to play it!

But because you keep developing, even the latter example has a certain life for most players and in creeps the GAS

Go for the King!!! why not?

...I fell for the trap, and got one of the DG King's from wwbw. Gold-plated was cheaper than silver. I think they must have just over-stocked as this one was dated January, 2006 on the box, so it's not a promotion of new stock. It was in a sealed box and pretty obviously has not been played or cleaned up in any way.

Funniest thing is, the supplied ligature (Rovner or copy) didn't actually fit!! Looked nice, but no room for a reed, even opened up all the way. I found another Rovner that worked and gave it a blow.

I haven't played any high baffle pieces in many years...this was not a paint peeler by any means. Very responsive, good dynamics, and easy altissimo. Richer sound than I expected, even on my normally bright 'Z'. With the Z and the DG King it truly was easy to get that highly articulated, punchy King Curtis style (I'm originally from Detroit). I'm impressed...going to play some R&R gigs with it over the next month and see if it stands the test of time.

I have a Winslow lig from a MB1 (h.m.). $60.00 + shpng. with bottle of goodies.

chknbon said:

I have a Winslow lig from a MB1 (h.m.). $60.00 + shpng. with bottle of goodies.

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I'LL TAKE IT.

PM ME

J.Max said:

Considering what WWBW is selling them for, I wouldn't consider them pricy at all right now...

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Really. I saw that the other day. It's got to be an error so anyone who wants one should take advantage of it as quickly as they can.

The gold-plated Guardala is still $150!!!...$20 cheaper than the Silver-plate.They must just have more stock of the Au-plate...

shmuelyosef said:

The gold-plated Guardala is still $150!!!...$20 cheaper than the Silver-plate.They must just have more stock of the Au-plate...

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Mine just arrived from WWBW and it's excellent and the easiest mouthpiece I've ever used for altissimo. Very pleased with it, especially at less than £100 including postage (duty and vat will add a further £20 or so).

The lig is not an instant fit by the way, but works ok after shaping and stretching (a bit like new strings on a guitar, you need to keep tightening on first use). I use Superial DCs.

In summary, not the hooligan that the Super King is, but probably as close to an ideal compromise for varied styles as it's reasonable to expect.

Just got my silver-plate, now $20 cheaper than gold!!! still in stock!

I also just received a Silver DG King; $116.00 US with free shipping from WWBW. It does play surprisingly well, great bottom end and like Soulmate says, it plays amazingly well. It is bright if pushed but for the price it is a keeper. I am off this week from any gigs so I will have to wait before I can give it a try.

Yellowhorn said:

I am considering buying a DG King silver-plated mpc and would appreciate hearing more about its sound, character, or any experience you have had with it.

Thanks,

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What's the tip opening on the DG King? I do agree a change of brand mpc doesn't really change the sound providing the tip opening and facing are about the same.

How are you guys finding these Guardalas for less than $200? I would take a Studio, MB2, or Crescent at those prices!

The sale appears to be over, but the clearance was only on the Kings and Super Kings.

Wailin' said:

What's the tip opening on the DG King?

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Yeah, I'm wondering this too. Are these mpcs comparable to Berg Larsen metal pieces?

A DG King has a .115"-116" tip opening. Bergs are typically .010" smaller than marked but can be .025" smaller to .010" larger than marked.

Ahh… that clears it up. thanks!