[SpaceGuppy]

I have an old Conn 26M alto and I was looking to try/get a different mouthpiece for it. It was suggested that I try an old Brilhart Hard Rubber. Needless to say you can't find these in the stores anymore AND what you do see either on e-bay or with Collectors is prices in excess of $300+

What would be a similar CHEAPER mouthpiece to the Brilhart Hard rubber? Something I can go and try out and afford? Lets say under $200?

Thanks

note: I am currently using a Selmer C* with it and thats ok, but I was looking to see if I could find something that I like better.

 

[museman]

Sent you a PM.

'museman'

 

[Grumps]

I'd be on the lookout for an old Woodwind Co. piece (New York, Hard Ebonite). Great value and can be great vintage mouthpieces.

 

[bruce bailey]

Go for a Brilhart Ebolin plastic or Tonalin for a lot less money. Similar and will give you a chance to try one. I use a Selmer on my 6M and Tranny and they are just fine.
Those Woodwind Co. mouthpieces are quite nice. I have a K5*,

 

[SpaceGuppy]

I will look into the Woodwinds Co mouthpieces as the prices I am seeing on those see very reasonable. I have an old Brilhart Special Ebolin which I liked on the 26M which is part of the reason that I thought I would like to move up to the Brilhart Hard Rubber.

 

[dubrosa22]

Find a store with some old Brilharts and playtest them.

A Special is a very different animal to a HR or Tonalin IMHO

 

[Grumps]

I will look into the Woodwinds Co mouthpieces as the prices I am seeing on those see very reasonable.

Make sure they're the old ones though. They'll read "New York" and "Steel Ebonite".

 

[10mfan]

I have a killer vintage sumner alto---great old hard rubber and perfectly refaced by phil-tone for $175.

ITS AN EXCELLENT MPC!

I HAVE A WHOLE BUNCH OF THESE OLDER VINTAGE HARD RUBBER PIECES THAT I'LL BE LISTING ON SOTW IN THE NEXT WEEK OR TWO. BRIAN POWELL IS REFACING ALL OF THE REST OF THEM FOR ME, AND THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE TO SOTW MEMBERS FOR $175 WITH THE REFACE!

 

[Grumps]

And one more thing about the Woodwind Co. pieces. Avoid any that have been refaced. They didn't need it, and judging by the size of what you play now, you won't need them opened up. It's always a shame when someone alters these bits of history for the whims of players who will soon be searching for something else. Plus if someone is re-selling a refaced piece, it's likely for good reason. They just don't make them like that anymore.

 

[bruce bailey]

There is a big difference between the modern Woodwind Co. and the vintage. Find a vintage one.

 

[10mfan]

and one more thing about the woodwind co. Pieces. Avoid any that have been refaced. They didn't need it, and judging by the size of what you play now, you won't need them opened up. It's always a shame when someone alters these bits of history for the whims of players who will soon be searching for something else. Plus if someone is re-selling a refaced piece, it's likely for good reason. They just don't make them like that anymore.

I couldnt disagree more.

Refacing does not mean "opening up".
Many mpc's have poor facings on them, and benefit greatly from having a better facing curve put on them. Thats a fact.
Many of these older pieces were extremely small tips and don't sound good, in their original state. Many will sound better if they are opened up, even from a 3 tip to a 4 tip, with a better facing curve and a balanced table, but not all these blanks need to have the tip openings altered. I always let Brian decide what should be done to a piece, for it to be its best. He knows best as he gets into the piece.
If I get a piece in that doesnt need anything---than I sell it as is. If it would benefit from a reface---than I have that done.
To state that someone should "avoid" a certain piece if its been refaced, is just bad information. To say "they didnt need it" is also bad information, because its impossible to honestly state that one entire brand, (in this case the "woodwind co" mpcs), never needed refacing work.
I have a bunch of these older great rubber blanks that I am having Brian reface for me, so players who cant afford high end or medium priced vintage mpcs, will have an opportunity to play a great vintage piece in perfect balance---and for only $175. Some will be opened to slightly bigger tips, and some wont. I personally find these play great around .068 -.078. I find that they dont need anymore than that, though some people may prefer that.
If someone has a good vintage blank and wants to send it to Brian, spend the $100 or so, plus shipping each way, wait 2 months to get it back---thats their choice. I'm just trying to offer an alternative.

 

[warp x]

Plus if someone is re-selling a refaced piece, it's likely for good reason.

Not sure what you're suggesting here.
A refaced piece, like an original, can possibly just not fit the player. So he sells it.
I bought a refaced (Phil Tone) Soloist a short while ago and I'm loving it.

 

[Grumps]

I'm just trying to offer an alternative.

You're here trying to make a sale, and as such you have a business interest in the matter. This is no slight, but just the truth. You're in the business of promoting your refacers, having them work on mouthpieces you pick up on the cheap and then selling them for as much profit as you can. No wrong in that, but let's not pretend otherwise.

A refaced piece, like an original, can possibly just not fit the player. So he sells it.

Which is a damn shame when the refaced mouthpiece is an otherwise functioning vintage mouthpiece that is no longer made, desired by others in its original state and probably won't work for anybody anymore.

 

[10mfan]

You're here trying to make a sale, and as such you have a business interest in the matter. This is no slight, but just the truth. You're in the business of promoting your refacers, having them work on mouthpieces you pick up on the cheap and then selling them for as much profit as you can. No wrong in that, but let's not pretend otherwise.

I CAN SEE THAT YOU MIGHT SEE IT THAT WAY, BUT THATS TRULY NOT THE CASE.

SELLING A PIECE FOR $175 AFTER PAYING FOR A GREAT REFACE AND SHIPPING BOTH WAYS--- IS HARDLY GOING TO PAY FOR MUCH HERE.
ITS CERTAINLY NOT A "SELLING FOR AS MUCH PROFIT AS YOU CAN", APPROACH. ITS JUST A REALLY GREAT DEAL, IN MY EYES.

GRUMPS, I KNOW YOURE NOT INTO REFACING, AND THATS OK. I HAVE JUST HAD SO MANY GREAT EXPERIENCES WITH GREAT REFACERS, THAT I PERSONALLY PREFER IT. ANY PIECE THAT I'VE ENDED UP ON PERSONALLY, HAS BEEN ONE THAT I GOT THAT DIDNT PLAY FANTASTIC, AND WAS ADJUSTED TO PLAY GREAT FOR ME.

I KNOW YOU DIG WHAT RON HAS MADE FOR YOU, AND THATS GREAT.
I'M HOPING PEOPLE HERE WILL DIG WHAT BRIAN IS DOING FOR ME WITH THESE PIECES, AND I KNOW THEY'LL APPRECIATE THE PRICE.

TO EACH HIS OWN. SOME PEOPLE DIG REFACING AND SEE IT AS A BONUS, AND SOME DONT.

GRUMPS, IF I CAN SEND YOU A COUPLE OF THESE TO CHECK OUT AND SEE WHAT YOU THINK, I'D BE HAPPY TO DO IT.
ALL THE BEST, MARK

 

[Grumps]

GRUMPS, IF I CAN SEND YOU A COUPLE OF THESE TO CHECK OUT AND SEE WHAT YOU THINK, I'D BE HAPPY TO DO IT.
ALL THE BEST, MARK

Appreciate the offer. It's really only the altering of vintage pieces for fickle folks that gets my goat in this regard. No slight on refacing as a whole, but when I was in the market for mouthpieces for my various horns and did a bit of trading, I learned to avoid refaced mouthpieces. If they didn't work, it was hard to get value for them in return.

 

[warp x]

Which is a damn shame when the refaced mouthpiece is an otherwise functioning vintage mouthpiece that is no longer made, desired by others in its original state and probably won't work for anybody anymore.

I don't see why it wouldn't work for anybody. Many people play happily on refaced pieces that were not done for them but which they bought.
Of course if a piece in its original state is great and playable I see no reason to put a different facing on it, as happens a lot these days. Sometimes it seems like every DR or FLA Link on the market has been opened up. Not saying it's a fact, just an impression.

 

[Grumps]

Many people play happily on refaced pieces that were not done for them but which they bought.

I'm sure that's true, but my complaints are for those situations that don't turn out so well; and they are probably more numerous. For years now I've seen the same people buying, selling, trying, experimenting and altering mouthpieces, only to get right back on the merry-go-round again and again. They're better known here as a marketing pool...

 

[martinm5862]

I will look into the Woodwinds Co mouthpieces as the prices I am seeing on those see very reasonable. I have an old Brilhart Special Ebolin which I liked on the 26M which is part of the reason that I thought I would like to move up to the Brilhart Hard Rubber.

What type of sound are you looking for? I've owned two of them. They are large chamber mouthpieces without any baffle. They are the darkest mouthpieces I"ve ever played. They have very little projection. Is this the sound you want?