105/2, 110/1
Want to get a Berg, coming from a Link STM 6*
I’m wanting to get a brighter piece, looking to get a berg. Playing on a 6* metal right now. The music store local to me told me they will grab 2 different bergs I can try before buying. Any recommendations on what sizes to ask them to order?
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Metal Bergs are a risky proposition, you'll do much better with a hard rubber Berg.
I realize. I’m more into the lower profile of metal. They also stock Jody jazz. I remember berg as a sound I like, but I’m open. My budget isn’t strict either.Metal Bergs are a risky proposition, you'll do much better with a hard rubber Berg.
Stainless or Bronze, 100/0 or 105/0 in Bullet, Duckbill, Vintage or regular Berg style.
Berg is a lifetime ongoing process. Buy used, compare, keep or not. Hit or miss.
I’ve been there. Even on alto.
Honestly, in the current century, I’d take another route. Unless you are interested by the process itself. Modern archeology.
Would I have to live with a metal Berg, I'd find a "bronze" version (copper alloy, whatever the name is), and have it "finished" by a confirmed refacer.
This was my scenario about 10 years ago, before I realized I was done with bright mouthpieces.
I know Theo & Jody's pricings looks more and more like a list of legal insults, but I bet their bright mouthpieces are ways better and more predictable than Berg, Larsen and me.
I’ve been there. Even on alto.
Honestly, in the current century, I’d take another route. Unless you are interested by the process itself. Modern archeology.
Would I have to live with a metal Berg, I'd find a "bronze" version (copper alloy, whatever the name is), and have it "finished" by a confirmed refacer.
This was my scenario about 10 years ago, before I realized I was done with bright mouthpieces.
I know Theo & Jody's pricings looks more and more like a list of legal insults, but I bet their bright mouthpieces are ways better and more predictable than Berg, Larsen and me.
But a good metal Berg can destroy any hard rubber Berg.Metal Bergs are a risky proposition, you'll do much better with a hard rubber Berg.
I have two Bergs. Both scoop bill/shelf baffle, both worked by Brian Powell. One stainless, one bronze. I think they are a good complement to my Link STM. I'd go for a 105/2 or 105/3 as mentioned above, to compare to your 6*.
No way to know what will work for you, but I have been on my stainless Berg 100/0 for longer than I can remember. It's from the 70's or before. I use Fiberreed Carbon MS. It's bright enough to cut glass if you so choose. Be aware your reed choice is part of that formula. It sounds VERY different on cane, and Legere.I’m wanting to get a brighter piece, looking to get a berg. Playing on a 6* metal right now. The music store local to me told me they will grab 2 different bergs I can try before buying. Any recommendations on what sizes to ask them to order?
I had a 110/2 vintage piece that was nice but tbh I sounded like “me” on it so there wasn’t a huge difference between it and the Links I was playing. If you want a huge difference maybe go with a 1 or 0 chamber(?)
Great things to think about, thanks guys. I’m rolling it all around. I want a bright piece. Like, gleaming like Lyle wagoners teeth in the old Wonder Woman show opening credits bright.
And I want it to cut like Wolverine claws.
I had a dukoff on alto many years ago that I lucked out on being perfect out the box. Then the drop…. Oh my, that drop broke my heart.
I’m wanting that low profile metal, razor cut sound on my tenor. The high tables Jody jazz looks good, they may have a stock of that one already. But since they said they would pull over two bergs if I wanted to try them, I figured why not?
And I want it to cut like Wolverine claws.
I had a dukoff on alto many years ago that I lucked out on being perfect out the box. Then the drop…. Oh my, that drop broke my heart.
I’m wanting that low profile metal, razor cut sound on my tenor. The high tables Jody jazz looks good, they may have a stock of that one already. But since they said they would pull over two bergs if I wanted to try them, I figured why not?
How crazy bright do you want?I’m wanting to get a brighter piece, looking to get a berg. Playing on a 6* metal right now. The music store local to me told me they will grab 2 different bergs I can try before buying. Any recommendations on what sizes to ask them to order?
Again, it doesn't take low profile or metal to get that sound - and a low profile, metal 'piece is no guarantee either.Great things to think about, thanks guys. I’m rolling it all around. I want a bright piece. Like, gleaming like Lyle wagoners teeth in the old Wonder Woman show opening credits bright.
And I want it to cut like Wolverine claws.
I’m wanting that low profile metal, razor cut sound on my tenor.
From your description, consider looking for a mouthpiece with a long, high baffle and small chamber. In Berg speak, the smallest chamber is designated as "0". I'll revise my recommendation to 110/0. When you get to too small a tip opening with a small chamber and high baffle, the reed on your kazoo may tend to cut off, so ~0.110" is about as small as I would consider if you want to move big air through it.
For freakishly loud, the Ted Klum London is a modern take on the Berg, but it has a baffle of ~1.5 Berg units, so it may have more pleasant tone than you want.
Another thought among current production pieces is the Theo Wanne Shiva. SHIVA IV Tenor Mouthpiece - Theo Wanne
The Klum may not be bright enough but it sure can be loud. I second the 0 baffle height for cutting power. In my youth, I played an 85/0 SMS. Very bright and loud.Again, it doesn't take low profile or metal to get that sound - and a low profile, metal 'piece is no guarantee either.
From your description, consider looking for a mouthpiece with a long, high baffle and small chamber. In Berg speak, the smallest chamber is designated as "0". I'll revise my recommendation to 110/0. When you get to too small a tip opening with a small chamber and high baffle, the reed on your kazoo may tend to cut off, so ~0.110" is about as small as I would consider if you want to move big air through it.
For freakishly loud, the Ted Klum London is a modern take on the Berg, but it has a baffle of ~1.5 Berg units, so it may have more pleasant tone than you want.
Another thought among current production pieces is the Theo Wanne Shiva. SHIVA IV Tenor Mouthpiece - Theo Wanne
85/0 on tenor? What reeds did you use?The Klum may not be bright enough but it sure can be loud. I second the 0 baffle height for cutting power. In my youth, I played an 85/0 SMS. Very bright and loud.
The other part of the balancing act is finding that point before where a stiff(er) reed starts to clean up the sound. I like some buzz to my saw. Leave the ice pick to Albert Collins.
I was using Rico Royal 3 1/2. Plenty of buzz on a Mark VI.85/0 on tenor? What reeds did you use?
The other part of the balancing act is finding that point before where a stiff(er) reed starts to clean up the sound. I like some buzz to my saw. Leave the ice pick to Albert Collins.
Lots and lots of buzz on the Klum but you have to push for the extra projection I found. But it was beautifully finished.
The lower profile is more my comfort level than any sound expectation
What?The lower profile is more my comfort level than any sound expectation
I prefer smaller sized mouthpieces. As is the part that goes in my mouth.
Based on the recommends here, I’ll ask for them to order a 110/0 to try, with a Jody jazz super jet on deck. They stock jodyjazz, so that won’t be a hard get. May just try that one first next week before they order anything. Might be just fine with that.
the wanne recommend is tempting, but that’s a lot of bread to ask anyone to order for me to just try and maybe not like.
the wanne recommend is tempting, but that’s a lot of bread to ask anyone to order for me to just try and maybe not like.
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