[Rittmeister]

True or false: the Warburton LA has a long facing.

Here's why I ask - I tried one of these back in May. It was a 7 tip opening; I'm used to playing a 7* or 7**, (.105-.108) so I figured a .100 wouldn't be too different. However, it was whiny and thin-sounding for me, and the owner told me that it really preferred harder reeds. At the time I was using a mixture of Rico and Rico Royal, all 2.5.

I played with a few other things over the summer (Drake metal, Wanne Brahma, Sakshama Z), and recently found what I think will be my main piece for a while - an EB Link STM worked by Erik G. A couple weeks ago I landed a Warburton LA, this one an 8*, thinking the bigger tip will work better with my reeds (though I'm now using V16s, still 2.5). Interestingly, it sounds very similar to the Link though maybe a bit more focussed than the Link.

However - it seems to like the harder reeds in the box, while the Link prefers the medium and softer reeds.

I've been told that longer facings make a given reed easier to play and all of this makes me think that Eric Falcon is putting a long-ish facing on these mouthpieces. Can anyone verify this impression? I don't have the tools or brains to measure a facing, nor do I even own a tip-opening gauge at this point...

 

[Thomas]

I can't comment specifically on the Warburton but many years ago JVW did an EB Link STM for me and I asked for a longer facing. Since then every piece I have done I ask for a longer than spec lay. It's true that harder reeds do play easier on the longer lay. I prefer harder reeds because they just sound better tonally and dynamically and you avoid the whiney, thin, upper end.

 

[koumou]

I play a Warburton LA 7. I find that because the window is much longer than normal and cause the tip and rails are very thin, the reeds respond better thus allowing harder reeds to be used. I find that this mouthpiece has a very good dynamic range and flexibility, in that it can be played in many different styles. If you want edge use softer reeds, if you want more focus use harder reeds and the mouthpiece delivers.

 

[southernsax]

The LA Tenor has a slightly longer facing than a traditional Link but not something that is out of proportion. The main reason it plays so easy is that much more of the reed is being activated due to the window size.

 

[rispoli]

I have a Warburton LA in a 6 opening: I find I have to take a lot of mouthpiece in my mouth so I am assuming the facing is long.
The design IMHO is great and one of the most innovative I have tried in years. The chamber is large and there is quite a lot of baffle, so the sound is powerful and a bit bright. The closest comparison in sound for me is a Guardala Crescent, with the LA having the advantage to be available in multiple openings rather than in a unique one.
So far the only issue I am having is with the high and altissimo notes which I find harder with this mouthpiece than with others (i.e. all Morgan and Phil-Tone pieces deliver beautifully there, in my experience), but this limit is more likely mine, not the mouthpiece.

 

[southernsax]

Guys, I'm not guessing when I said the facing is just a little longer than a standard Link. I designed the thing and make every single one. I know what they measure. The window is responsible for the feel. The design does allow a harder reed to be used.

 

[Nefertiti]

I can understand why you guys think the facing is longer. I would think it feels that way because in a sense it is longer in the middle of the reed. Instead of the middle of the reed being tight against the table you have that extra long window there that allows that part of the reed to vibrate and be more flexible. The very sides of the reed are touching the rails similar to a link facing but the middle part of the reed is freed up to do it's thing.

 

[Rittmeister]

Makes sense to me, actually. Thanks for the input, everyone.