[milandro]

In my quest to find a Baritone piece suitable to play well in tune with my almost ancient Conn Wonder improved Bruno N.Y. stencil (1916? to 1925 ?), I came across a SML R5 Baritone piece.

It plays much better in tune that other pieces I've tried on this horn but still has some issues (or I do because it is my first baritone experience and I am told it is not unusual to have intonation problems when attempting baritone coming from smaller horns).

I believe one could describe this piece as one with a big chamber but I think that the opening (as very often is with older mouthpieces) is rather a small size.

It is actually not very bright and I wonder what I could do (if at all possible) to improve the piece in general (refacing, open the chamber even more? a double chamber?) and if anybody would recommend doing some work on this or proceed to find something better.

 

[milandro]

well, what do you know? I am at this again. I've sold the first SML R5 ebonite mouthpiece and quite some time after I've bought another Baritone which came with one and the same mouthpiece. Decided to give it a try and found that it has a nicer sound (and it is easier to play) than the other mpcs in my possession and it plays nicer that I remember the other one (the one I originally posted about) playing. Now I noticed that this one bears also the inscription " steel ebonite " which makes me think that it might have been made by Woodwind and co. for SML, does anyone know any better?

 

[DavidW]

I have heard that Woodwind made the SML mouthpieces, but do not know for certain.

The new piece might sound better because you are better now though

 

[milandro]

I have heard that Woodwind made the SML mouthpieces, but do not know for certain.

The new piece might sound better because you are better now though

I wish! Thank you for your info and for your blind trust ! I practice way too little on baritone and according to my teacher I should not play anything else than tenor.....

 

[ToreH]

Most probably your SML R3 is produced by another French company called Riffault. You will find their pieces under serveral names as SML and Vito. The Morgan soprano and baritone pieces were also made from Riffault blanks. The Riffault pieces plays quite OK as is, but can be made into fantastic pieces when refaced.

I've had three Riffault bari pieces refaced Erik Greiffenhagen, and he also gave them a larger chamber (his special double chamber). One piece with a Morgan 1C (0.068) facing for classical sound, one "all purpose piece" with a 7 (0.090) facing and a small roll over baffle and one with a 8 (0.110) facing and a short and high step baffle. All three play fanatastic on my vintage Buescher.

 

[zxcvbnm]

Maybe you should try one of the original mouthpieces to the conn or something similar with a huge chamber. Grumps has also gotten an RPC to work on his old Conn bari. I remember him saying that it was only the RPC and a gigantic chamber, no baffle old woodwind co. mouthpiece that could work.

 

[milandro]

Fortunately zxcvbnm, Right now I am not having to deal with the original tuning problems which brought me to post this thread the first time, in fact, last time that I've posted, I did so after having bought a completely different baritone, a Grassi, this one has no way the problems the Conn had! . I was only enquiring about this particular type of mouthpiece which re appeared once more in my possession. Bari is not my main instrument (and I am no-way an expert player altogether )and for the time being it is a fun thing......

 

[milandro]

Most probably your SML R3 is produced by another French company called Riffault. You will find their pieces under serveral names as SML and Vito. The Morgan soprano and baritone pieces were also made from Riffault blanks. The Riffault pieces plays quite OK as is, but can be made into fantastic pieces when refaced.

I've had three Riffault bari pieces refaced Erik Greiffenhagen, and he also gave them a larger chamber (his special double chamber). One piece with a Morgan 1C (0.068) facing for classical sound, one "all purpose piece" with a 7 (0.090) facing and a small roll over baffle and one with a 8 (0.110) facing and a short and high step baffle. All three play fanatastic on my vintage Buescher.

The " steel ebonite" engraving made me think they had some relationship with the woodwind and co. ......

 

[ToreH]

Steelite Ebonite and R facings are Riffault.

Steel Ebonite and B facings are Woodwind Co New York

 

[milandro]

very interesting, cheers!