[Smokin' Joe]

I need some advice. For about 10 years I played a Dukoff S9(they don't make them anymore), mouthpiece charts have the opening at about .125. I could play the Dukoff for 10 hours straight easily, but I wanted a more responsive altissimo so... I then switched to a Guardala Super King opening about .122 for another 10 years. It was easier to get the altissimo, but after 3 hours my chops were spent. I recently went back to the Dukoff(playing more ballads & easier to control than Guardala) while wondering what my next step should be.

1) Why would my endurance be so bad with the Guardala ?

2) Why is it way easier to play in the lower register with the Dukoff ?

3) and most importantly, would I be wasting my time & money getting a Guardala MB II just to have the same endurance and low register issues ? I figured reducing my opening size might help me out a lot with both concerns.

Everyone here speaks highly of the MB II.
Any other suggestions would be welcome.

I play with a powerful 3 piece horn section,playing Rock/Funk/Screaming solos and need good altissimo, but also do a duo playing romantic ballads. I realize that I'm looking for the holy grail of mouthpieces that can do both things well...and be able to do them for hours without fatigue.

Thanks in advance.

 

[gsaxman100]

I experienced the same thing with Guardala MBII (the WWBW laser trimmed) as you did with the Super King, just seemed like too much work or I wasn't in good enough shape for it. The Studio model should be better than the Super King or the MBII in that respect, smaller chamber, not so open tip. If you don't mind hard rubber the RPC 115B is great and easy to relax with. I have a Dukoff S9 too and it does seem to be smaller chambered and easier to play. I seldom play it but just cant' part with it. You could send your S9 to a refacer and have it worked on a bit to improve the altissimo. I had Brian Powell work on mine and it does great in the altissimo.

 

[MojoBari]

I would wager that the Dukoff you are playing has a tip opening significantly smaller than .125". Maybe .110-.115". Most Dukoffs run smaller than the charts and they vary in tip opening. You would need to get it mearured to know hat you actually have.

Guardala LTs are made very consistently. So I do think you have a .121"-.122" tip on your SK, The DG facing is usually better than what is found on a Dukoff, but there are exceprions. The LT facing curve is a little resistant IMO for great low note response. The curve is very long, but has a gradual bump in it after it breaks away from the table. If this is removed, low notes speak easier. You can also just scrape away some reed thickness in the right spot to get better low note response.

 

[Metalflake]

Try a Guardala Studio if you can - tons of volume and then some (more than a MBII), and much easier to control than the SK. Also much more flexible tone-wise for ballads, etc.