[spiffamafied]

I'm looking for a new mouthpiece, something that I can stick with for a while. I play in a jazz/blues rock band and want something that's nice and bright to cut through guitar and drums but still fat, free blowing, and great altissimo for the little free jazz freakouts we get into from time to time. I'm looking at a first gen Durga or a Jody Jazz Super jet as I can get them each for around $400. I currently play a Level-Air 5 which I have thought about having opened up, but it just doesn't have as much power behind it and altissimo is hit and miss. Any huge differences to consider between these pieces? I believe the Durga is maybe not quite as bright as the super jet, but that may be a good thing. Any other sleepers out there that would blow these 2 out of the water? I'd consider a sugal NB II as well, but they're a little above my price range. Thanks for the advice!

 

[KeithL]

I use the JJDV for rock and funk band and have found it works fine as well for the occasional sub work in big bands. I haven't had a chance to try the Super Jet yet but I've played the regular HR or plastic Jet and while it has the brightness and cut it doesn't have quite the body the DV does. The first generation Durga is not a very bright playing piece. I own one of these and was surprised when I got it that it wasn't much brighter based upon its appearance. It has a very high baffle but it also has a huge chamber. This combination results in a piece that has a nice round sound if you put enough air into it but it's nowhere near as bright as the Jet or Super Jet would be. Theo's Durga III design is much more like the design of the JJDV so I'd expect it to be brighter. Here's a video I made a few years back where I play the first gen Durga, Jet, and DV as well as a few others.

 

[BH9]

It’s funny how people can get completely different impressions from the same mouthpiece.

I have a bunch, but recently came into an Arnold Montgomery Ankh and although that is a darkish mouthpiece, I would love to try one of his brighter pieces. A hard rubber berg-like model from him is ~$350.

 

[BH9]

This is where normally a few or a lot of people would recommend calling Ron Coelho to talk ability one of his RPC high baffle pieces. Sadly, no longer an option.

 

[KeithL]

For sure - it depends upon so many factors; what you consider bright/dark to be, how you blow, what reed your using, what you're comparing it to, what your expectations are, what horn you're playing it on, etc.. I think spending so much time playing in the funk band has also changed how I feel about certain pieces as well.

 

[spiffamafied]

I use the JJDV for rock and funk band and have found it works fine as well for the occasional sub work in big bands. I haven't had a chance to try the Super Jet yet but I've played the regular HR or plastic Jet and while it has the brightness and cut it doesn't have quite the body the DV does. The first generation Durga is not a very bright playing piece. I own one of these and was surprised when I got it that it wasn't much brighter based upon its appearance. It has a very high baffle but it also has a huge chamber. This combination results in a piece that has a nice round sound if you put enough air into it but it's nowhere near as bright as the Jet or Super Jet would be. Theo's Durga III design is much more like the design of the JJDV so I'd expect it to be brighter. Here's a video I made a few years back where I play the first gen Durga, Jet, and DV as well as a few others.

Yeah, I might have to look into upping my budget for a DV. Those have been on my radar, but can never find one used as the new price is a bit much. I had a DVNY that I got with a horn I bought but was still just a bit too mellow for what I'm doing. I did love the way it played, not sure how much of an impact the extended window has on that. I do have a few pieces lying around that I could probably sell and just spring for a DV. Thanks for the input.

 

[BH9]

Yeah, I might have to look into upping my budget for a DV. Those have been on my radar, but can never find one used as the new price is a bit much. I had a DVNY that I got with a horn I bought but was still just a bit too mellow for what I'm doing. I did love the way it played, not sure how much of an impact the extended window has on that. I do have a few pieces lying around that I could probably sell and just spring for a DV. Thanks for the input.

Before doing that, why don't you try a Jet? Keith didn't think that mouthpiece had much depth available compared to the DV, but my experience was the opposite. That one is a bargain and Jody Jazz mouthpieces are easy to return.

God review here.

 

[pumseig]

You should consider the 10MFAN "Boss". I don't think he makes them anymore,
but you can probably find one used.

 

[KeithL]

Before doing that, why don't you try a Jet? Keith didn't think that mouthpiece had much depth available compared to the DV, but my experience was the opposite. That one is a bargain and Jody Jazz mouthpieces are easy to return.

God review here.

I totally agree with the Jet in terms of value. I like my DVs better but I had been playing them for years before trying the Jet so there's a certain amount of built in bias there. Also, in the interest of full disclosure; I didn't pay anywhere near Jody's MSRP for any of them. If I needed a piece to play funk/rock/R&B gigs and I was going to have to pay full retail, or very close to retail, the Jet would be at the top of my list.

 

[Sacks Of Phones]

I recommend the Jet. I recently bought one on a whim after trying some higher priced pieces. The higher priced pieces went away and I kept the Jet. Try it! $200.

 

[pumseig]

You should consider the 10MFAN "Boss". I don't think he makes them anymore,
but you can probably find one used.

Sorry, just realized this post is about BARITONE pieces...not tenor.

 

[Jmceachern36]

Sorry, just realized this post is about BARITONE pieces...not tenor.

Spoke to 10m fan recently. He's a year away from making Bari mouthpieces.

 

[KeithL]

Spoke to 10m fan recently. He's a year away from making Bari mouthpieces.

That would be cool - loved to see a "Barusto" for bari or even something like a Guardala style bari piece.

 

[BH9]

The Durga for baritone is now version 4, and they are making one in rubber as well
as brass. Apparently the 3 was not quite perfect.

As far as I can tell from the description, which is not far, I think they have kept the longer shank and returned to a squeeze ring.