ContraMan Posted July 25, 2003 Share Posted July 25, 2003 (edited) Ok, so I got this mouthpiece made by a gentleman named Mike Finn. And after 4 or 5 hours of practice, I'm sold on it. I've been playing on the Schilke 66 and Schilke Helleberg for a while and just felt that even after all the work I've done I just wasn't getting the darkness I've been wanting. I had never used a heavyweight mouthpiece so this was to be an exceptional treat. I got the chance to buzz on one for about 15 mins and thought, I really need to invest in one of these. I purchased one and then played it on my own horn and found even better results the more I worked with it. A darker sound and much richer lower register. The higher dynamic ranges were able to be reached without needing to hold back so much. My loudest was louder because the sound wasn't breaking up. Transition between notes became much smoother and slurs just felt easier on this monstrosity. After using the Schilke mouthpieces, the rim transition wasn't very difficult at all. Of course Schilke's rims aren't exactly like a Conn Helleberg 7B. Very comfortable rim and I didn't feel fatigue even after that seemingly long practice (after a few days off of playing). The deep "soft" funnel as someone else I've spoken to has said, is pretty big and yes, more air is needed to keep better sound production. There is also a lot less resistance than I'm used to. At least a few times in the beginning (shoulda done my breathing exercises) I got a little lightheaded, but that soon passed. So, I'm going to continue working with it, although I AM completely sold on it. I look forward to even more fascinating results in the future. For a look at the mouthpieces, click here. Edited July 25, 2003 by ContraMan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ContraAl3of10 Posted July 28, 2003 Share Posted July 28, 2003 Which one did you get? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ContraMan Posted September 13, 2003 Author Share Posted September 13, 2003 I got a MF 3. Also known as the Big MF. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted September 13, 2003 Share Posted September 13, 2003 I've started using a heavy mouthpiece as well. Last April or so I got a PT-36. I used it on my junior recital, the last band and orchestra concerts (it was very handy on Symphonic Metamorphosis ^0^) and I used it all season. It's a great mouthpiece, and I think it did help darken up my tone. I was using an Arnold Jacobs mouthpiece, and I was feeling like I'd kind of "outgrown" it, at least as a large ensemble mouthpiece. The tone I had was too direct, not broad enough, despite my best efforts to make it otherwise. The mouthpiece made a considerable difference. To all young impressionable types, however, I will say this: I'm not saying, go out and buy a heavy mouthpiece right now. I bought one because I found that I needed it to fit my playing. Keep on with what you're using, and as you get more experienced you will be able to better identify what you need in the mouthpiece realm. Also talk with your teacher about it as well before buying; it can be quite an expense sometimes, and you don't want to buy something you later regret. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlooooContra Posted September 17, 2003 Share Posted September 17, 2003 I use a PT-42 and a PT-44. Both are heavy, and made my tone much darker than the Conn Heleberg I was using. Custom Music in Michigan has every Perantucci mouthpiece, so if you want to find a new sound, check those guys out. I played on about 20 of them before I narrowed it down to these two. Great investment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ContraMan Posted September 20, 2003 Author Share Posted September 20, 2003 And of course I want to clarify that they should TRY it beforing BUYING it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
contrasteve2001 Posted October 1, 2003 Share Posted October 1, 2003 Which one did you get? They do look similar to the Conn Helleberg ...is the cup depth about the same? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ContraMan Posted October 3, 2003 Author Share Posted October 3, 2003 Actually they're not as similar to Hellebergs as you think. The funnel shape is fairly similar but the rim is more like a Bach style mouthpiece (which I admit, I don't like Bach style rims, but this one works excellently with me). The cup diameter is bigger than a Conn Helleberg by about half a millimeter (a difference). The throat I think is also more open. The added weight makes for dampening overtones so the fundamental is more present. After speaking with the designer, he's preparing a more Helleberg-style rim he's calling the MF-3H and a more bowl shaped cup mouthpiece called the MF-3B. Drop him a line. His email is on the website. Mike Finn Mouthpieces Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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