Different Couf Mouthpieces
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Of all the ones I've owned or worked on...
"Special" models are made of plastic and are similar if not identical to Brilharts, Selmer Goldentone, etc. Straight sidewalls that squeeze at the throat. Slight rollover baffle.
"Artist" models are made of hard rubber - which is to say there is some noticeable amount of sulfur in the compound. These have sidewalls that are mostly straight - perhaps slightly concave, but not significantly. Round throat which is medium to large, but not as large as Tone Edge Links. If the facing designation has a *R suffix, then it has a full size body. *S facing suffix indicates it is streamlined, so it is narrower like a metal, though the beak still has some appreciable height to it. If the facing number has a J prefix, that means there is a high step baffle. So you can find these pieces as "4*R" or "6*S" or "J7*R" or "J9*S" for example.
The Herbert Couf Special are also plastic, but there are Herbert Couf Artist models that are hard rubber. Some of these models are also streamlined but do not have a *S suffix, necessarily - sometimes just called "4*". The conventions changed over time, though I do not have a timeline to be specific about what changed when. Just that I've seen many variations.
I happen to have a Herbert Couf Special for alto which is clear plastic.
There are also Couf metal mouthpeices, by the way. They appear to me to be similar to Wagner metal mouthpieces. Silver plated brass.
I have not seen a plastic "Artist" model nor a "Special" in hard rubber - not to say they don't exist.
I don't collect many mouthpieces for collecting sake, but I have a thing for Coufs.
"Special" models are made of plastic and are similar if not identical to Brilharts, Selmer Goldentone, etc. Straight sidewalls that squeeze at the throat. Slight rollover baffle.
"Artist" models are made of hard rubber - which is to say there is some noticeable amount of sulfur in the compound. These have sidewalls that are mostly straight - perhaps slightly concave, but not significantly. Round throat which is medium to large, but not as large as Tone Edge Links. If the facing designation has a *R suffix, then it has a full size body. *S facing suffix indicates it is streamlined, so it is narrower like a metal, though the beak still has some appreciable height to it. If the facing number has a J prefix, that means there is a high step baffle. So you can find these pieces as "4*R" or "6*S" or "J7*R" or "J9*S" for example.
The Herbert Couf Special are also plastic, but there are Herbert Couf Artist models that are hard rubber. Some of these models are also streamlined but do not have a *S suffix, necessarily - sometimes just called "4*". The conventions changed over time, though I do not have a timeline to be specific about what changed when. Just that I've seen many variations.
I happen to have a Herbert Couf Special for alto which is clear plastic.
There are also Couf metal mouthpeices, by the way. They appear to me to be similar to Wagner metal mouthpieces. Silver plated brass.
I have not seen a plastic "Artist" model nor a "Special" in hard rubber - not to say they don't exist.
I don't collect many mouthpieces for collecting sake, but I have a thing for Coufs.
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3,583 Posts
The one that just finished is probably the last one I'll chase that high for a while - I needed a slim high baffle tenor to round out my collection.
It's not to say I won't continue to chase them - just not as fervently.
It's not to say I won't continue to chase them - just not as fervently.
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744 Posts
Ed,
Tried to send you a pm about some Couf mouthpieces but nothing shows up in my sent box. Did you receive pm from me?
Tried to send you a pm about some Couf mouthpieces but nothing shows up in my sent box. Did you receive pm from me?
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3,583 Posts
I've only seen wood Coufs for soprano. Mine has "W. Germany" on it. mega large chamber, low baffle, lousy facing - rather stuffy players. Been gradually whittling away at my own to set it up respectable. The more I open it and introduce some rollover, the better.
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1,477 Posts
I have a Couf Artist 4*S alto piece that I like. I got it from my teacher (used) back in 1985-ish. It has two lines around the base, and I use a clarinet lig on it.
Any idea what the tip opening is on this piece, and how old it is?
Any idea what the tip opening is on this piece, and how old it is?
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9,967 Posts
Probably about .078". I have them marked in various tip openings but they all seem to measure the same. These are among my favorite alto mouthpieces. They are very similar to the King MO mouthpieces. I don't know about the age though.
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784 Posts
I have the exact same piece that I quit playing in 1983 when I switched to a Meyers 6M.
I was saving it for my son when he's ready to step up from his beginner MPC.
I swear it looks like plastic.
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1,117 Posts
Sorry for kicking an old thread ... but does anyone know more about those metal Couf mouthpieces?
I have one on my tenor now. Pretty extreme step baffle ... it doesn't look expensive, but it seems to be well made (better than some Chinese pieces, I would say).
The sound can probably raise the dead
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1,117 Posts
Some pictures (this is a tenor mouthpiece, btw)
http://u1.ipernity.com/13/11/97/6801197.fa13c34a.1024.jpg
http://u1.ipernity.com/13/11/95/6801195.ce0389e0.1024.jpg
http://u1.ipernity.com/13/11/98/6801198.22ea0a5b.1024.jpg
No real value, I know but it would still be nice to have a bit more information.
http://u1.ipernity.com/13/11/97/6801197.fa13c34a.1024.jpg
http://u1.ipernity.com/13/11/95/6801195.ce0389e0.1024.jpg
http://u1.ipernity.com/13/11/98/6801198.22ea0a5b.1024.jpg
No real value, I know
but it would still be nice to have a bit more information.1 - 20 of 43 Posts
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