[timboniface]

Hi - I've had such brilliant response on other mpc questions that I thought I'd throw another couple into the mix. Here's one:
I have this Marmaduke alto mpc in my possession that has unusual markings - can anyone help identify? I'm thinking of the '051' and the number 78 stamped onto the body.
It plays nicely but I may not keep it - and I thought knowing what it was may be a good start before trying to sell/pass on!
Photos below - not that great as just quickly with a phone, but I think they show what's needed.
With thanks and appreciation in advance. Tim

 

[1saxman]

Doesn't make sense to me but maybe we can figure it out. Since you're UK, maybe its metric but that doesn't work either. .051" would be a very close tip on an alto but .078" would be very normal. It has been customary to leave off the zero for the '.0xx' facings, ala Berg Larsen '95' for example, so its easy to say that '78' is the tip opening. That leaves us with the '051' which I assume has no decimal. Could that be the facing length? .051" is pretty short for alto (it seems to me, but is it?).

I looked it up and the '051' can't be the facing length. Normal alto facing length is about 21mm.

 

[whaler]

I think that’s a serial number on a Drake mouthpiece.

 

[timboniface]

Doesn't make sense to me but maybe we can figure it out. Since you're UK, maybe its metric but that doesn't work either. .051" would be a very close tip on an alto but .078" would be very normal. It has been customary to leave off the zero for the '.0xx' facings, ala Berg Larsen '95' for example, so its easy to say that '78' is the tip opening. That leaves us with the '051' which I assume has no decimal. Could that be the facing length? .051" is pretty short for alto (it seems to me, but is it?).

I looked it up and the '051' can't be the facing length. Normal alto facing length is about 21mm.

'78' solved then, i think - very helpful - thanks for the clarity of your elimination process!

 

[timboniface]

I think that's a serial number on a Drake mouthpiece.

Ok, yes, given 1saxman's comment too I guess we're assuming that the 051 is some kind of serial/stock number thing. Is there a connection between Marmaduke and Drake then?