[The Kid]

Hello -

I have purchased a Meyer 7m mouthpiece for my Bari, and was wondering if anyone could help me with a problem. I bought a Legere plastic reed to save some dough in the long run by not buying cane reeds, but when I put it on the Meyer I struggled to get a sound for the first three minutes. I was playing in my high school band and had to find a solution (I foolishly had no cane reeds on me), and found it in sliding the ligature way up on the reed. I had to put it WAY past the cut to get control of the horn. I have tried 2 strength Rico reeds on the piece with no major problems, and came to the conclusion that the plastic reed was too hard for such a large (for me) mouthpiece tip opening. So what should I do, get a 6m or a 5m mouthpiece Meyer and use my regular reed strength, or use a softer reed strength on the 7m?

Another thing, I have been looking at the Charles Bay Gerry Mulligan model mouthpiece recently, and I am tempted to take the Meyer back a buy this mouthpiece. Does anyone know anything about how it plays? Would it be a good investment?

Thanks for any help you can give

 

[bandmommy]

If you like the Meyer and the Legere reed I would suggest getting a softer Legere.
Personally I prefer cane over synthetics, but I'm old and rather set in my ways.

I haven't heard anything about the Bay Mulligan piece. You may want to see if you can try it before you get rid of your Meyer.
While you're trying the Bay you could always try a Meyer with a smaller tip opening.

You didn't mention what mouthpiece you were using prior to the Meyer or what strength/cut Legere you have.
If you give that information maybe the men can give you a few better ideas on how to remedy your situation.

 

[The Kid]

I can't believe I left that out... The Legere reed strength is a 3. As for my previous mouthpiece, I played on a Meyer 6m with two and a half strength cane reeds for a very short stint (three days), before I realized the Bari I owned before the one I have now had major problems, and I had to take it back. It was a while ago, but I remember the 6m playing well. I've got a different Bari now, and since the 6m worked on the previous Bari, and I play a 7m on my tenor, I thought I would go ahead and get a 7m for the Bari. I also prefer cane reeds, and in a perfect world I wouldn't use anything else. But I'm short on cash, so the plastic reed seemed like a good way to save. I had to special order the Meyer 7m, and my store will not allow me to return it. It will however make a strait trade for another Meyer Bari mouthpiece with a different facing.

As for the Charles Bay piece, I don't think I would be able to find one to play unless I travel to his shop in LA, 1741km's from here.

 

[martinm5862]

When I was playing baritone I was playing a similar facing. The only cane reed that worked for me were Rico, in the orange box in a 2-1/2 strength. These are the cheapest reeds also. I never tried the Bay. I used a Jody Jazz in a 7 facing or a hard rubber Link 6*.

 

[KeithL]

Typically Legere will let you trade one of their reeds for a different strength - check out their website for details. FWIW, I found these reeds to be a little too firm as well.

 

[HeikoWoehler]

I am playing a Meyer 10M. Rico Jazz Selects are giving me the right sound that I like. I am using the standard lig. which comes with the mouthpiece. No problems, no sliding, everything fits pretty well. You have only to decide the preferences you want, like reed strength and filed or unfiled.

I guess you should stay with you Meyer 7 and playtest the reed that fit your needs ang get a great sound.

Good luck and greetings

 

[The Kid]

Hi all -

I have found a wonderful solution. I was picking my horn up from my tech for a few repairs, and while I was play testing he said that my mouthpiece was too big, and had me try his Bari mouthpiece. I played it, and instantly I was in love. It was an E. Rousseau JDX jazz 6, and it was incredibly easy to play. I also discovered part of my problem with the Meyer 7m. The Meyer is a 'bullet" shaped mouthpiece, and required me to take more mouthpiece than I would have to with a "Duckbill" style mouthpiece. I have a bit of an overbite, so to get my bottom lip to where the reed touches the side rails on the Meyer, I have to open my mouth so far I lose control of my tone. The Rousseau is a "duckbill" style mouthpiece, and does not require me to take nearly as much mouthpiece. I tried many reed brands and sizes with the Meyer 7m, but none seemed to work. The Rousseau is sounding and playing beautifully, and I don’t think I’ll ever need another mouthpiece. The plastic reeds seem to be working now, so I'm quite happy with this mouthpiece.

Thanks for all the helpful advice,

The Kid

 

[mrzel]

Another person joins the JDX players society. WE are few and far between. As a side note i play a Fibracell #4 on my JDX 7. My experience with Meyers are they are great on alto but sound tubby/underwhelming on baritone. YMMV

if you haven't tried Fibracell reads they are worth a shot. They bring a healthy edge to many of my darker sounding mouthpieces (Yamaha 5c and C*) and add super punch to my more lively mouthpieces.

 

[avan]

The légère reed are on the stiff side, i will try a 2 or 2.5 one. As said, they have nice exchange policy. As for the Bay piece it sound pretty close to the Meyer, maybe a bit more dry, but the articulation are first rate, I have a Bay 7N and a JVW meyer NY 5 (open to .105") and try a friend new Meyer 7MM. The Bay piece, sound pretty close to the Meyer (new model, modern) but in the same time way better. The bay are maybe a bit more dry and it is very even from top to bottom. The articulation are first rate and it respond very well to everything I want. The Meyer NY are in other league, the sound are just more resonant and a thad bit richer.