Hersch's Custom Meyer Tenor Project!!

1754 Views 14 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Hurling Frootmig, May 3, 2007

Hersch17

Discussion Starter · May 3, 2007

I have a 10-12 year old Meyer 7M medium chamber TENOR mouthpiece that I would like to send to someone to rework..

I have no preconcieved (spelling?) ideas about what it will turn out like. I thought this would be an acceptable blank because of the amount of chamber, side wall, and ramp material that can be taken away to enlarge or modify. And I felt the 7 tip opening was sufficient so as not to have to open it a great deal if needed..

All I want is someone with vision and some ideas.

I just want a mouthpiece that speaks like a tenor mouthpiece should.... who doesn't.. This is by no means my main or even backup piece so time is not of the essence..

Anyone interested, just PM me and we'll brainstorm together..

Or if you have ideas, please feel free to share them here in the thread..

Let's see if we can't design something as a community.

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Hersch17

Discussion Starter · #2 · May 3, 2007

Someone has an idea right?

Bring it on!

AmSaxPlayer

· #3 · May 3, 2007

What sort of final piece style-wise are you looking for?

One of the best designs in my opinion is a tiny flat baffle near the tip which rolls into a large chamber, produces a nice deep bottom end while keeping the top end manageable and articulation clean.

Hersch17

Discussion Starter · #4 · May 3, 2007

I'm open minded. That's the beauty of it. I want everyone here to help me decide what to do.

I generally play more straight ahead stuff, small group club settings.. if that helps..

What do you think of doing something like re-shaping the body and beak somewhat.

Sigmund451

· #5 · May 3, 2007

Unless you dont care for the feel there is no point. It makes no appreciable difference in tone.

hakukani

· #6 · May 3, 2007

John Reilly in LA does some pretty amazing things with meyers.

Hersch17

Discussion Starter · #7 · May 3, 2007

It's not about sound or feel at all.. just a way to make it different. I am aware of the non-effect of the body shape on tone.. I just thought it might be fun to discuss..

Personally I prefer std. HR profile most of the time.

AmSaxPlayer

· #8 · May 3, 2007

I really like the metal link profile, that is somewhat wide beaked (about halfway between classic HR and Berg/Dukoff style), not much of an angle on the slope (essentially flat biteplate). This doesn't intrinsically effect the sound, but I find I play much better on this style piece just because I'm used to it, and it takes much less work for me to play for longer periods of time. The metal Berg/Dukoff shape really tires me out after awhile, and if I play for more than 90 minutes, I really have to concentrate or air starts coming out the corners of my mouth from fatigue.

MojoBari

· #9 · May 3, 2007

Have you tried playing with temporary baffles? I think this might satisfy your experimental itch faster, cheaper and with more variety. Just get some dental wax or poster-hanging putty (the blue stuff) and try some shapes.

Hersch17

Discussion Starter · #10 · May 3, 2007

Mojo- No I haven't... and I don't think I will..

AM - the metal link profile is OK to me as well. I do find that the slope of the beak in HR pieces lends itself to a bigger sound for me..

hakukani

· #11 · May 3, 2007

Hersch17 said:
Mojo- No I haven't... and I don't think I will..

AM - the metal link profile is OK to me as well. I do find that the slope of the beak in HR pieces lends itself to a bigger sound for me..

So, if not the baffle, what do you want to change?

I don't think the slope of the beak changes the sound. I think it is a big deal in player comfort, as I like a gentle slope so I don't feel like I have to open my jaw too wide.

EZ

· #12 · May 3, 2007

Beak slope makes a noticeable difference to me. A taller beak (more significant angle) promotes a more open embouchure and encourages a darker tone. Not to say one can't compensate or override the tendency. But it's just that - a tendency. If a person WANTS a brighter sound, they will probably find it more straightforward with a shallower beak. If a person WANTS a darker sound, they will find it more straightforward with a taller beak. All else being equal, of course.

EZ

· #13 · May 3, 2007

Hersch - if you want to see a radically modified Meyer, send me an email. I was requested to make an alto Meyer sound more tenorish. [email protected]

hakukani

· #14 · May 3, 2007

ez_sax said:
Beak slope makes a noticeable difference to me. A taller beak (more significant angle) promotes a more open embouchure and encourages a darker tone. Not to say one can't compensate or override the tendency. But it's just that - a tendency. If a person WANTS a brighter sound, they will probably find it more straightforward with a shallower beak. If a person WANTS a darker sound, they will find it more straightforward with a taller beak. All else being equal, of course.

Hmmm...interesting. I always thought I got a nice dark sound on a selmer S80, but I also thought I got a similar sound with the original scroll shank C#. I preferred the S80 because of the gentle slope of the beak. In comparison, I thought that the scroll shank felt like a gobstopper.

This was back when I was studying legit sax though.

Hurling Frootmig

· #15 · May 3, 2007

My advice - buy a rubber link.

If you are interested in making the Meyer speak as well as it can then do it. To make it into something else . . . well something else probably already exists like what you want it to become. Just an opinion.

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

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