[ldaniels27]

Has anyone ever heard of these mouthpieces? I found one in an old tenor case and I am curious about it. I normally play a Rascher mouthpiece so I am used to a very dark sound. When I popped this mouthpiece on my tenor it gave a brighter tone, even though it has the same chamber design as the Rascher. It also projects more than the Rascher. I'm just curious about the popularity/worth of this old piece.
Any guidance would be appreciated.
Also, this is a normal HR version. It is not the streamlined Equa-Tru that came with the Super 20's/Zephyrs back in the day.

Here is a pic of one that looks identical (minus the discoloration)
https://www.junkdude.com/images/lg-King-bruEquaTruHardRubber(080)u--1.jpg

 

[paulwl]

I don't know King mpcs, but there were some barrel chamber designs that were marginally brighter - the NY Woodwind B-series for example. I own quite a few of these, and they offer just a bit more volume and tune a little further back on the neck.

Today of course, the difference in tone seems incremental to us, unless you've trained for a dark tone.

I don't know that they're popular or worth much. As you might expect, playing stock mpcs on old saxes is a classical habit, and classical players don't use Kings.

 

[bruce bailey]

I think any vintage mouthpiece needs to be played and then evaluated. If you like it or it is similar to a sound you may need at times, keep it. As to value, I feel that collectors like myself will pay $50+ to find a mouthpiece that is original to a horn we have. I have a Zephyr Special and would like to find an original to that horn even though I may never use it. My Martins have their correct mouthpieces as do my Conns with Eagles or Steel-lays.
If you aren't going to use it, put it on ebay for $100 and see what happens. If nothing keep going down until it sells. You may get a surprise....

 

[Grumps]

I used to have one of these old pickle-barrels. It came with a 1920 Conn bari I picked up when I was a kid and it played in tune with that fickle old horn. Until I lucked out on a more projecting WW Co. piece as recommended by Paul some years ago. :bluewink:

 

[paulwl]

My Martins have their correct mouthpieces as do my Conns with Eagles or Steel-lays.

I have stock mpcs too, and use them fairly often (especially for practice). But they're not high-dollar collectible like vintage Links, Meyers, etc.

 

[ldaniels27]

Thanks for all the info. I've never heard of this King mouthpiece like I have the more popular stock mouthpieces (Buescher, Conn Eagle, and the old Martin soprano pieces). I appreciate the insight. My Conn Chu is currently getting an overhaul. I'll have to see how the piece plays on it when I get it back.

 

[paulwl]

I've never heard of this King mouthpiece like I have the more popular stock mouthpieces (Buescher, Conn Eagle, and the old Martin soprano pieces).

Hmm...where are Martin sop mpcs popular? I never hear any talk about them. I don't think anyone even sells them on eBay.

 

[bruce bailey]

They may be the only vintage soprano mouthpiece that will play like a slant Link. I have one for Bb and C and they are nice.

 

[Rackety Sax]

Hmm...where are Martin sop mpcs popular? I never hear any talk about them. I don't think anyone even sells them on eBay.

Doesn't Carina Rascher play a Martin sop mouthpiece?

 

[paulwl]

Aha, that must be the reason for their (probably very localized) popularity.

The Rascher sop mpc was redone about a decade ago along a Martin design, presumably at Carina's advice, too. I like mine a lot.

 

[ldaniels27]

Martin sop pieces are like the "holy grail" for Rascher school players and maybe even other classical players. I'm a student in a Rascher-style school, that is why I mentioned the Martin piece. And yes, Carina plays a Martin piece on sop.

 

[paulwl]

I thought so. Btw, Martin mpcs with the fat shank (it looks sort of like Conn mpcs) are very sweet playing mpcs, altho they might not be resistant enough to allow much altissimo.

 

[ThreeSixTwoFive]

You have a very old, very large chamber mouthpiece.

I used one that was refaced by Brian Powell to .085". It was my main mouthpiece for several years. Very dark and malleable tone. It's like an old Otto Link Master Link.

Needs lot of air though.

 

[Christian1]

Does anybody know the differences between the standard and special series, other than the metal shank? http://www.cewinds.com/product/king-equa-tru-special-alto-saxophone-mouthpiece-2032/

 

[bruce bailey]

It may be best to start a new thread as this one is over 5 years old.

 

[Guto]

I have one too, pictured below. A nice match for my King Super 20 tenor, played with a hard reed.

 

[Sigmund451]

Its a Lelandis piece. Nice design and tone.