@Honeyboy: I hear what you're saying completely! In my business I run essentially antique equipment, and no two have the same character, and for the most part it's 90% operator and 10% machine. I've got 30 great machnes and 10 awesome operators.
I remember well my brand new Conn Tenor in '78 getting blasted by some fool who knocked over a music stand ---right on my mouthpiece. Was a cheap Precision mfg piece....but the sound I was able to get with that horn my bandleader (and I ) LOVED. School gave me a new mp, but it never played the same. Ever. I went off to college and parents sold my horn, and here I am again. The Martin I have sounds good----the mp that came with it is way unevenly worn on the top side (someone had a very elongated right front tooth!), so I've ordered a simple Rico Royal Graftonite A5...to give a go. More than likely i'll take a sander to the one that came with it, for a nice CUSTOM : ) fit. I've also picked up a couple decent looking alternates on eBay for less than $15 ea. I even put that Chu Berry C Mel mp on the thing and while it gives it a stuffy nose, it does sound and work neat!
You know, it always is the quest for that sound. I'm pretty much there, and generally am pleased with the mechanics and ergo design of the Martin (much better than Conn---altissimo is amazing). I'm not on a mission to blow the bank, surely, but at this stage of life, I've spent some hard labor in the salt mines, and am not in to endless bidding on EBay for another fixer upper project I don't have time for (my full time "gig" is 60 hrs/wk). Overall I think Max did a nice job with this horn, and backs up his work with a full-return guarantee. I'll keep up the practice, and the search as always.....thanks all, ESP Honeyboy, for the unvarnished input!
