Deeper & Darker than Raschers \ Caravans ?

For which horn? There's a Caravan large and medium chamber for alto, so if you've been trying the medium you could try the large. You might also find the old Conn mouthpieces to have a larger chamber.

For Sops and Tenors. Both are large chambers.

The old Conn I tried had a smaller chamber ... and wasn't as deep or dark as the Raschers and Caravans

W.

wmclean said:

Are you aware of any mpc that is deeper & darker than the Raschers & or Caravans ? I have been looking ... but without any luck.

An ancillary question would be ... does larger chambers ala Raschers & Caravans = deeper & darker tones ? :?

Cheers
W.

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Yes, the larger the chamber, the darker the sound, at least generally. There are very few that will be darker than a Rascher piece...maybe something like a vintage Buescher.

J.Max said:

Yes, the larger the chamber, the darker the sound, at least generally. There are very few that will be darker than a Rascher piece...maybe something like a vintage Buescher.

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JMax ... didn't you have some large chamber sop mpcs on eBay a couple months back? If so, I was one of the unlucky bidders.

The reason I am asking the question is to get confirmation that, indeed, there is nothing out there darker than the Raschers and Caravans. If not, then I will have to go the custom route.

W.

One of the darkest pieces I've played was a metal Wolfe Tayne for alto. Cavernous, that piece was.

Try an old babbit mouthpeice.

Martinman said:

Try an old babbit mouthpeice.

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Can you give me any more details ? Things to look for ?

Thanks
W.

wmclean said:

Can you give me any more details ? Things to look for ?

Thanks
W.

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It is a really old mouthpiece that says "Babbit" on it. Is is not a Link or a Meyer, just an old stock mouthpiece. They have a fairly short shank because the chamber is so huge.

wmclean said:

JMax ... didn't you have some large chamber sop mpcs on eBay a couple months back? If so, I was one of the unlucky bidders.

The reason I am asking the question is to get confirmation that, indeed, there is nothing out there darker than the Raschers and Caravans. If not, then I will have to go the custom route.

W.

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I've had a couple of large chambered soprano pieces...some of them were so large they made the soprano sound like an alto...most of them were Bueschers.

I wonder if part of your problem is that you are playing on a tipped bell Mauriat. Those are very bright horns...you should try a Keilwerth or Couf if you can get your hands on one. Buescher sopranos are nice and dark too, but I think they are hard to play on, and tough to keep in tune. (But there are people out there that love them, so YMMV.)

Deeper and darker ...

J.Max said:

I wonder if part of your problem is that you are playing on a tipped bell Mauriat.

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I will keep my eyes open for some Bueschers (Thanks JMax) and Babbits (thanks Martinman)

The PM tipped bell is for sale as it as been superseded by a R&C curved and a Lyon & Healy (Martin) straight ... both beautifully deep.

I am trying to see how deep and dark I can make a sop go ... :dazed:

Cheers
W.

A Buesche, Rascher or Caravan are about as dark as you can go, from what I've heard. If you want any darker than that, you'll have to take care of that yourself.

Vintage Bueschers are a good thought.

Also, vintage Conn Eagle mpcs (made in the 20s) the ones w/ an eagle and a silver metal shank ring are the ones to look for.

An old Martin or King with large round chamber should help. Also the reed need some heft to it.

David

TMadness's message reminded me that I did have a on old Conn soprano sop with a metal band on it (though no eagle) and sure enough it IS a bigger chamber and darker. So I think I am back on track ...

W.

Remember, though, there is such a thing as too dark. If you get too dark, it can start sounding tubby and have a lack of focus.

J.Max said:

Remember, though, there is such a thing as too dark. If you get too dark, it can start sounding tubby and have a lack of focus.

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Ain't THAT the truth ! ... and the altissimo drops off as well. I will play around with the old Conn and Bueschers until I find something close to what I want and then have it custom made (if I don't go back to the Raschers and Caravans first)

Have a fellow here in Ecuador that made me a custom mpc out of wood that replaced by 2nd choice Runyon Custom (for when I am not in the "dark" mood) for $300. However I need to find something close to what I want first.

W.