[Keith Ridenhour]

BTW, trust me, this sounds alot better in person. My recordings are brighter than what is going on here. Rico Graphinite 7C. This was on the first day I got it. I switched reeds and am getting a good jazz or lead alto tone. Check it out
http://kride.net/LinkClick.aspx?lin...ls/Rico+Graphanitepiece.mp3&tabid=332&mid=883
My LA sax has alot to do with it also. A fairly dark horn. K

 

[ChuBerry47]

I played one of those alto pieces, that I literally bought for $5 from a band store, and it was great. If I had to rate my sound, (I really don't want to be arrogant), but I would have rate it as being a proffessional tone, or even higher. I love the one on tenor. I don't know what they did to it, but it had a long facing, it was dark, and could get bright, when I wanted it to, and it sounded different, and professional! I didn't believe it!

 

[steakboy]

I love this post.

Not to rain on the parades of those who a) have the disposable gas cash and b) get terrific results from their old school meyer or link or what have you, but it's great to be reminded that if it works, it's good.

And your alto tone, seriously, totally works.

When i reacquainted myself with the saxophone after college in the late 80s, I didn't have a heap of cash, so I bought a Jupiter tenor and a Rico mouthpiece. The Jupiter was all one would expect from a then $575-new horn (i.e. fair at best), but that Rico mouthpiece (iirc, $12 or $15 back then) performed better than the modern Link (then $110) I bought but wish I hadn't a year later.

 

[Sigmund451]

Most of "The Greats" certainly didnt have access to thousand dollar mouthpieces. Im as guilty as many but its good for us to remember...if for no other reason than to maintain/regain perspective.

 

[redneckbari]

I bought a B5 Graftonite on ebay for my bari, just sort of a cheap, jazz sorta mp to see if i could be comfortable playing such an open piece. and man...i love it....and my band director who has played on a yanagasawa metal for years, tried it and loved it to....and bought one for his alto. and heck, for $12 what could be better?..

 

[24251]

My buddy just bought an A5 and a B5 (both for alto). We test played them a couple of hours ago, and the B5 really sounded nice -- good ring to the sound, very easy to play, except it was a tad touchy down low (for me).

I'm gonna get one as a backup piece. Actually it would be fun to buy the whole range (9 total) just to better understand how my embouchure works with different facing/tip/chamber sizes. Pretty cheap mouthpiece education...

 

[jmm1713]

sounds good .

 

[BobbyC]

I got a few Ricos.

 

[SaxyJ]

I absolutely love their "A" (Large Chamber) mouthpieces for the alto sax. The sound I get from it is thick and rich, yet has a touch of brightness and edge. I know that the Morgan Excalibur series is also supposed to be a balanced fusion of a rich, thick sound with hint of brightness and edge. Has anyone done a comparison of the Rico Royal Graftonite "A" series with the Morgan Excalibur mouthpieces? I think that would be an interesting evaluation.

 

[milandro]

Your sound is very good. This shows again that a good player plays well with almost anything.

I've tried a Graftonite B5 many years ago on alto and not so long ago on tenor.....I wasn't particularly impressed by both but it played better than most " standard" mouthpieces and gave no problems whatsoever. Certainly a good design but that is about it.

However an hype , the mouthpiece thing cannot realistically be based only on looks and thin air can it? This is a good piece, made cheaply and well designed. Hardly the Holy Grail though....

 

[SaxyJ]

The Rico Royal Graftonite is what I have been looking for all along...

After testing a large chambered Meyer, I found myself going back to my Rico Royal Graftonite A5. The Rico, when compared to the Meyer, sounds richer, fuller and very smooth. On the other hand, the Meyer, though a very good mouthpiece as well, sounded a bit brighter and thinner when placed next to the Rico. From this whole test, I may have to sell the Meyer very soon.

After trying many various and even expensive mouthpieces, it is a shock that the cheap and dependable Rico has unexpectedly surpassed all my tests and expectations. It is built solidly (dropped it a few times and not a scratch), provides a full, rich, luscious sound and, critically, it does all this for a mere $12.

As Keith Ridenhour's thread is entitled," Save your money, here is a $12 mouthpiece." Yes, there is the $12 Rico mouthpiece. Though not pricey, the Rico Royal Graftonite models have proven that "cheap does not necessarily mean bad quality."

 

[MM]

What had you played before the C7, Keith? How is the response?

 

[Peterogping]

Arnold Brilharts last acomplishment

Having just acquired a xerox copy of Saxophone Journal, vol 13, #5 fromMarch/April 1989 I will quote from Mel Martin's article about Arnold Brilhart (who designed the Graftonite and Metalite mouthpieces).
"When I joined the Roy Maier Corporation (Rico), I had enough knowledge to try and develop a different principle of making mouthpieces which could be made with a limited amount of handwork that would be highly consistent; that would be low enough priced so that there would be leeway for promotion, that would help the teachers in terms of being so consistent that a teacher or a player could order a dozen mouthpieces and they would all play the same. ....We came up with a combination of rubber and graphite materials which we trademarked as "Graftonite". This new compound allows us to do things that couldn't be done before. No other material had given us this consistency and durability and, most importantly, the ability to hold dimensions. The facings are done on special equipment using curves designed to make one after the other with tolerances that do not exceed one half thousandths of an inch in the tip opening......this type of mouthpiece offers something never before available. As soon as players and teachers realize how well these mouthpieces play and are reasonably priced as these are, this line of Rico Royal Mouthpieces should become very popular." All this was said by Arnold Brilhart to Mel Martin.
Mr. Martin then describes the three chambers (A =Dark, B=Medium and C=Bright) and the three openings, 3, 5 and 7. Then he mentions that: On the way are chambers similar to the old "Level-Air" design .... The "Metalite" M7 and M9. According to Brilhart....His idea with the Metalite models is to get that extra punch and yet maintain the intended resonance.
Mr. Martin mentions that he has tried the entire range of mouthpieces and can confirm the high consistency and good intonation. "In fact, the pricing allows any player to own several models for different needs as well as matching them for different horns. Besides all this, they are guaranteed for life with reasonable use."
This issue of Saxophone Journal can be obtained in xerox copy from Dorn Publications ( http://www.dornpub.com ) if anybody is interested in reading the whole article.
Personally, I have tried the Graftonite and the Metalite for tenor, alto and for clarinet and I join many others on this forum that these are surprisingly good mouthpieces in view of their modest price.

 

[J.Max]

That's very interesting, especially about the material. I wonder if there's a difference in material between the "pebbled" and non-pebbled versions.

 

[mlscnr]

What had you played before the C7, Keith? How is the response?

Keith has literally played everything over the past 7 or 8 years. Do a search for threads he has started. You'll be amazed.

And yes, he sounds great on whatever he plays (not that he believes it).

 

[king koeller]

"Save your money, Here's a 12 dollar mouthpiece"

My door keeps closing...

I need a good 12 dollar doorstop....

Just joking...

These Brilhart designed Rico's are surprisingly nice mouthpieces!

 

[blindside398]

Anyone have an extra one that they wouldn't mind parting with?


I'm just a destitute senior in highschool with a job that doesn't do much, lol.

 

[SaxyJ]

I have one for sale...

Anyone have an extra one that they wouldn't mind parting with?

I am currently selling a Rico Royal C5 (small chamber, tip opening of .0080). I am getting rid of it because it's much too loud for the music I play (I primarily use the A5). I am selling the C5 for $9.99. (Shipping is included)

 

[king koeller]

"Save your money, Heres a 12 dollar mouthpiece"

My door keeps closing...

I need a good 12 dollar doorstop....

I was just kidding...

I have bunch of these and they play really nice, for Jazz, not classical.

I was at Arnolds Brilharts 90th birthday celebration, in Anaheim 1996 0r 1997 I can't remember what year it was, but quess who showed up...
That's right everybody's favorite Convict, Dave Guardala.
The exact antithesis of Arnold.
You see ,
Arnold sold his line of mouthpieces for way less than they were worth,
and Dave sold his pieces for way more than they were worth.
I remember DG not really saying anything to anybody, but going straight for the Booze.

 

[SaxyJ]

Here's a photo

Rico Royal Graftonite C5 mpc: