[69193]

I currently have a Graftonite A3 and I'm playing on a 2.5 reed. I'm just starting out after 14 years away and was told that would be a good mouthpiece to start on. I'm happy with the mouthpiece, but I've been reading about the Metalite and would like to try one and see what...if any difference (i.e. more free blowing) it makes for me. From their website, it looks like #M5 and #M7 might work. Thoughts?

http://store.daddario.com/category/296556/Metalite_Mouthpieces

M5 - Medium Open (works best with medium reeds)
M7 - Open (works best with medium soft to medium reeds)
M9* - Most open (works best with soft to medium soft reeds)
*M9 available for Tenor and Baritone only.

 

[jazzznbluezzz]

I played both the Graftonite A3 and B3 and now have the Metalite M7 and M9
and feel very comfortable with them.
For me I think the M5 would feel too small while the A3 and B3 were just right (like a Link 7 or 7*).
And I use Rigotti 2 and 2.5 reeds that are somewhere in the Rico 2.5 and 3 range.

For the price of the Metalites it won't hurt your wallet to try a few.

 

[69193]

I played both the Graftonite A3 and B3 and now have the Metalite M7 and M9
and feel very comfortable with them.
For me I think the M5 would feel too small while the A3 and B3 were just right (like a Link 7 or 7*).
And I use Rigotti 2 and 2.5 reeds that are somewhere in the Rico 2.5 and 3 range.

For the price of the Metalites it won't hurt your wallet to try a few.

Yup. I like the feel of the A3 (though I really have no point of comparison at the moment). I'm mainly wanting to try something more open.

Yup. That's what I was thinking. I think I'll order a #M7 now and let the wife pick up the #M9 for a stocking stuffer. Thank you.

 

[jazzznbluezzz]

Great! Please post your experiences here again.
Also how it stuffs your wifes stocking (I hear a good R&B title here...)

 

[bruce bailey]

I find that the .095" facing is the best for me so I got an A5, B5 and M5. Each one has a different character and is nice for different styles or different horns. The A is mellow and full, the B all around good and teh M is really an edgy bold mouthpiece. I can't really say that one is better than the other but the M has a good quality feel. I will PM you with some prices.

 

[69193]

Great! Please post your experiences here again.
Also how it stuffs your wifes stocking (I hear a good R&B title here...)

lol.

 

[GT]

I wanted to try a Metalite on a Kohlert 57 tenor, but I'm not sure what the chamber is like. I noticed that the Graftonite comes in the large chamber as Bruce indicated was mellow and full. My '57 seems to like a large chamber for best intonation. Does anyone know how the Metalite chamber compares to the large chamber Graftonite?

 

[bruce bailey]

Hard to say exactly. The A is a larger version of the B but the Metalite has a long flat baffle similar to the old Level-aires and some of the Vandorens. The A, B and C are like most normal mouthpieces whereas the Metalite is more direct and edgy. Any of these work well on my Martin tenors so I would just get whichever one tends to compliment your playing.
Contact me if you want a set of A5, B5 and M5. These things are so inexpensive that you can own 3 for much less that a normal mid-line Hard Rubber mouthpiece.

 

[GT]

Thanks, Bruce. You're always very helpful. My main piece is an Excalibur 9E (.110) so I'm not sure I want to go back down to a .95 just yet. Although I'm not a young man anymore and I notice that there is less wind than there used to be!

 

[GT]

Sorry! That's .095!

 

[bruce bailey]

Try an M7 as it should be about .105".

 

[69193]

Tried my new M9 on a 2.5 reed. VERY difficult to play. I'll try going to a softer reed (or just get an M7 and try that).

 

[rsclosson]

I got a Metalite M9 and was surprised how easy it was to play.

 

[69193]

I got a Metalite M9 and was surprised how easy it was to play.

How hard is your reed (i.e. 2.5)? I'm assuming that in my case...it's a reed issue (not soft enough) and/or operator error.

 

[rsclosson]

How hard is your reed (i.e. 2.5)? I'm assuming that in my case...it's a reed issue (not soft enough) and/or operator error.

2.5 Rico Orange

 

[69193]

2.5 Rico Orange

Ok. Same here. I've only played my horn a handful of times (hadn't played in 10+ years). So I'm assuming embouchure has a lot to do with my issue. I'll try a bit softer reed on the M9, in the mean time. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[bruce bailey]

If you haven't played in 10 years, you should probably stay at about .085" (M3). I have played over 50 years and find .095" to be about right.

 

[69193]

Thanks Bruce. I guess I'll stick with the original mouthpiece for now. I had no complaints...just figured I'd try a Metalite for $h1ts and giggles.

 

[wxman]

If you haven't played in 10 years, you should probably stay at about .085" (M3). I have played over 50 years and find .095" to be about right.

+1

I've just come back to playing after a long break as well. I bought an M9 for my tenor. It is too open for me. I can play it, but I can't play quietly with it. Tough for me to control. I'll probably pick up or trade for an M7.

 

[jazzznbluezzz]

To me the M9 has a more round and warm sound.
Not very edgy at all but loud.
The M7 sounds a tad brighter and lighter however much more flexible
in subtoning and seems to have more character. And it is loud too.
I like it best with a Rigotti 2.5 reed or a Rico V-2.5 or V-3.

At first I preferred the M9 but now I like the M7 much better
for my styles of playing.