[timboniface]

Since I had such a great response on some q's about a tenor mpc last week, I thought I'd bring this one to the table too...
I play what seems to be a Selmer Classic alto mouthpiece. Fluted sides etc. Yet in every picture I see, or report I read about these, the facing letter never seems to be printed on the table, like mine is. Has anyone else seen this or got one like this? Does anyone know anything about this? Any light is welcome to be shed... Cheers
Pics below:

 

[nvilletele]

Yes, that is an older version. I'm no expert, but I guess 50's. You can see a similar one here:

https://www.dcsax.com/products/1950...piece-c-marcel-mule-model?variant=40573923207

Newer versions don't have all the fluting, just one on each side.

Some other info on these here:
https://theowanne.com/knowledge/mouthpiece-museum/selmer-mouthpieces/

 

[timboniface]

Yes, that is an older version. I'm no expert, but I guess 50's. You can see a similar one here:

https://www.dcsax.com/products/1950...piece-c-marcel-mule-model?variant=40573923207

Newer versions don't have all the fluting, just one on each side.

Thank younvilletele; Genuinely, that is the first photograph I've ever seen of another one of these - so you've come up with the goods
Interesting - it's nice to have a little understanding about what I'm playing on!

 

[milandro]

Indeed the older version has the facing on the table.

These mouthpieces are very popular among some soprano players but few play them in other sizes. I have come across several ( both in the old and new version) , they are relatively heavy and never impressed me much. As many Selmers are very closed and only very open versions or much more open than the usually available C* or C** ( even a D is very closed) would stimulate me to play one.

Aside from sopranos I have always found them in almost pristine state.

 

[timboniface]

These mouthpieces are very popular among some soprano players but few play them in other sizes. I have come across several ( both in the old and new version) , they are relatively heavy and never impressed me much. As many Selmers are very closed and only very open versions or much more open than the usually available C* or C** ( even a D is very closed) would stimulate me to play one.

Aside from sopranos I have always found them in almost pristine state.

Yes, this one is in pretty pristine state, I'll admit.
I know what you mean about Selmers - I find it whenever I try out a Selmer metal tenor - they don't seem to expand as much. However, this one really really sings on alto. It matches up brilliantly with both my Cigar Cutter and 6M to create a huge sound... and I play a relatively large opening on tenor (9) so I was surprised... but it's a real winner for jazz in my book.
For what it's worth, here's a sample:

 

[turf3]

You know it's weird, hardly anyone plays Selmer pieces except in the classical world; yet whenever I play one of them I am impressed by the quality of sound. Yes, a C* Selmer is fairly closed; but the Soloists I have, do give a real quality and richness that is not present in many other pieces. And my Selmer bass sax mouthpiece while not as loud as some others I've got, has a real high quality sound.

I get the impression that the Concept is starting to gain adherents on soprano and alto. I've never played one of these. I wish they would put out a baritone piece based on the bass piece (large round chamber) rather than the S-80 (small square chamber) and I wish they'd put out a re-issue Soloist for soprano. Although, to tell the truth, my S-80 soprano is a darn nice little mouthpiece even though I was expecting not to like it.

Summary: If you play in a way, or in a style/genre, that doesn't require large tip openings, don't write off Selmer pieces. You might be pleasantly surprised.

 

[Grumps]

You know it's weird, hardly anyone plays Selmer pieces except in the classical world; yet whenever I play one of them I am impressed by the quality of sound.

Well, there are the Super Sessions. But I used to play a relatively open Metal Classic on a VI soprano which was a perfect match for me... and I only played jazz or pop with the horn.

 

[timboniface]

Summary: If you play in a way, or in a style/genre, that doesn't require large tip openings, don't write off Selmer pieces. You might be pleasantly surprised.

genuine question (i.e. not trying to 'bite back!') - is there a style or genre that "requires" large tip openings? Isn't it just what suits the player? Ref the old story about Dexter's relatively closed mpc...
I know some would say bop/hard bop might require a big opening, but I've been on this piece for a good 5 years now and I've never felt like it's letting me down somewhere, or doesn't cut through. The sound is absolutely huge!

 

[turf3]

genuine question (i.e. not trying to 'bite back!') - is there a style or genre that "requires" large tip openings? Isn't it just what suits the player? Ref the old story about Dexter's relatively closed mpc...
I know some would say bop/hard bop might require a big opening, but I've been on this piece for a good 5 years now and I've never felt like it's letting me down somewhere, or doesn't cut through. The sound is absolutely huge!

Well, I'm not a big opening fan anyway, but certainly rock, pop, and loud jazz players tend to run considerably more open pieces. Not that it hasn't been done, to play loud music on closed tip pieces, but it's not the norm.

So, if someone came to me and said "I'm looking for a mouthpiece to play rock and roll and jump music in the style of Louis Prima and Big Jay McNeely", very few people would recommend a Selmer C* or Caravan mouthpiece for that. Probably the most conservative standard recommendation would be for something like a Link metal 8 ish, and then it would be things like Berg 0 chambers, Dukoffs, and the like.

And that's what I meant by my comment.

 

[reeddoubler]

Check out Leo Wright back in the 60’s with Dizzy, he played on a metal classical a Selmer back then. And a D facing is equivalent to a Meyer 6 tip opening, a really popular size for Meyers, so its not even particularly close for a jazz alto setup!

 

[Grumps]

The Metal Classic for soprano went up to at least a G tip opening, and of course the Super Session at one time went up to J. So Selmer can make more open mouthpieces; and good ones at that.

 

[adamk]

I have one for tenor in a D facing in good shape.

 

[timboniface]

Well, I'm not a big opening fan anyway, but certainly rock, pop, and loud jazz players tend to run considerably more open pieces. Not that it hasn't been done, to play loud music on closed tip pieces, but it's not the norm.

So, if someone came to me and said "I'm looking for a mouthpiece to play rock and roll and jump music in the style of Louis Prima and Big Jay McNeely", very few people would recommend a Selmer C* or Caravan mouthpiece for that. Probably the most conservative standard recommendation would be for something like a Link metal 8 ish, and then it would be things like Berg 0 chambers, Dukoffs, and the like.

And that's what I meant by my comment.

I think you've justified it fully there! Yes, you're right - there are exceptions but when you put it like that I would probably give the same advice!
And yes, "pleasantly surprised" is absolutely on the money - I was!

 

[timboniface]

I have one for tenor in a D facing in good shape.

How does it play?

 

[Andrew D]

I play a Selmer classic on Soprano which right now I cannot remember the opening but I think it's an F. I use a 3.5 reed and it always had a great sound. I have purchased other boutique mouthpieces but always gravitate back to the classic.

Never tried one on alto.

Andrew

 

[adamk]

How does it play?

Compared to a Yanigisawa metal 9 it's round and not bright.
I had trouble getting a subtone but the scale has an even timbre.
Definitely good for classical.
The beak is steeper than i'm used to.
The round throat with no baffle makes for a clear sound without much edge.