TubeNet

the Astro Nylon things from DEG are pretty good. Any store can get them through Harris Teller or C Bruno.

You could just 'rough up' the rim on the Kelly with some very fine emery paper or steel wool. That might get the feel that you are looking for.

Jim Cullum uses Crisco on his lip. Why not give it a try on the Kelly rim?
If you roughen it up, try fine steel wool. Then rub it briskly with clean denim cloth.

dgpretzel wrote:Am I understanding correctly that roughening the surface makes it more slippery?

DG

Didn't you say that the mouthpiece was too slippery? Roughening the rim a bit should make it LESS slippery I would think. Isn't that what you are asking for?

dgpretzel wrote:I'm happy to have and use it, but was just wondering if there was some kind of plastic that didn't stick or grab, but was slippy, instead of grabby. I still may not be properly conveying my intent. Sorry.

Even though Dan may have misunderstood your intent, I'm not sure his answer is wrong. I think the smooth plastic grabby because it prevents a liquid film between the mouthpiece and your lips. Roughing it up a bit might actually make it easier to keep it wet and therefore less grabby. It won't feel as smooth, but it might maintain some lubrication more easily.

It's a theory, but it doesn't cost much to experiment.

Rick "who finds gold and stainless steel to be the least grabby, and silver somewhere in the middle" Denney

Lexan can be pretty sticky if it's not polished enough, and it's sticky even if it is polished enough. From what I've seen, Kelly mouthpiece rims are not particularly smooth. Look closely, I think you'll see what I mean.

I don't think making it rougher will do what you want. I would try buffing it to make it as smooth as possible. I play on Lexan all the time and I love the feel of it.

I wouldn't know where to start with making a porcelain rim.

bloke wrote:I would roughly equate the "Astro Nylon" to a Bach 7.

Actually, they used to be. Now they're a Bach 25, and they suck roundly. If you look around, though, you can still find the older ones (Ron Bishop led me to one, and his is a Bach-7 or 12 size too).

Those older DEGs are fantastic.

J.c.

Rick Denney wrote:

dgpretzel wrote:I'm happy to have and use it, but was just wondering if there was some kind of plastic that didn't stick or grab, but was slippy, instead of grabby. I still may not be properly conveying my intent. Sorry.

Even though Dan may have misunderstood your intent, I'm not sure his answer is wrong. I think the smooth plastic grabby because it prevents a liquid film between the mouthpiece and your lips. Roughing it up a bit might actually make it easier to keep it wet and therefore less grabby. It won't feel as smooth, but it might maintain some lubrication more easily.

It's a theory, but it doesn't cost much to experiment.

Rick "who finds gold and stainless steel to be the least grabby, and silver somewhere in the middle" Denney

Yeah... I guess I did get a bit confused with the wording of the original post. However... the long and short of it is that it certainly won't hurt anything to mess with the finish on a plastic mouthpiece.

BTW... I have one of those original DEG 'Astro-cups'. It pretty much sucks and the only reason why I keep it around is in case I want to someday build some mouthpieces. The shank will be a handy thing to have.

The Kelly is more tactile to me. But when I'm playing a parade in less than ideal weather, that is a plus.

Some of the most "slippery" mouthpieces I have played are PT mouthpieces, with good thick plating that is really buffed to perfection.

I agree about the Astro being similar to a Bach 7. But I thought they were Delrin, not nylon, and they're soft enough that they don't wear or take knocks and dings well at all. The transition of the bowl to a nickel or nickel silver shank makes the tone "whangy" to me.

If it is still being made, there is one more plastic mouthpiece out there, made of polypropylene, but I forget the brand name. Really soft.

What you are looking for is a polypropolene mouthipiece. Pp has the slipery feel you are looking for it also doesnt have the buzzback of Lexan or ABS. Email me privatly and i will fill you in.

I just dont want to open a can of worms on the bb


Ray Noguera

It has to be done with a buffing wheel and the right compound. Maybe not a DIY project - easy to mess it up if it overheats.

You could send it to me and I'll do it for you. I'd be kind of afraid of having an unknown try it. Maybe somebody who regularly works with Plexiglas, if you can find such a person. Look up Plastic Fabricators or something like that in the Yellow Pages in your area.