TheGoyWonder wrote:So what's the best mouthpiece for an American bellfront baritone? Just luck of the draw on a random 6.5AL that works, or were you able to isolate the desired characteristics?
The 6 1/2 AL that I kept has a larger cup i.d. than "spec," approaching 1.02 inches, a slightly thinner rim as a result, what looks like just a hair larger throat (probably like the current "Mega" 6 1/2 AL), and the really dark 420 backbore. It gives me a good consistent tone over the three octave range from pedal open up. It's not what is now considered "contemporary" euph tone, which you get with a Wick bucket mouthpiece and the new euphs with .590+ bore.
I like the slightly lighter but still mellow tone, as I set forth in my other thread, I am the only guy in my community band and I have to, on any given occasion, play euph parts, 3rd bone parts, or bassoon parts. And to get under the woodwinds, I have a mute coming, or I can dip the front bell into the music stand to cover the tone even more when called for.
How did the listed mouthpieces do? The Schilke 50 was good, but it felt a little stuffy compared to my particular 6 1/2 AL for me, although it sounded great on a Yammy YEP201 I borrowed a few years ago. The Kanstul 6 1/2 AL was right on "spec," which I found a little small for my embouchure, and I didn't feel the articulation for me was as responsive with its slightly wider rim; others will like the comfort and good tone. The DEG was too trombony, but a great 2nd part outdoor or marching mouthpiece, and the Kelly was also just a tad small at "spec," although the tone, articulation and intonation was great for marching euph. Finally, the no-name 5GB was more of a bass bone mouthpiece than a euph mouthpiece.
I also borrowed a Schilke 51 - too tromboney, like I was playing 2nd or 3rd trombone parts. I also borrowed and tried what is probably the most common American mouthpiece for concert band euphonium playing, a Schilke 51D. The 51D on my horn sounded woofy and fuzzy, instead of dark and focused, kind of like putting a too-large carburetor on a small block with a stock manifold and cam.
As always, YMMV. That's why there are many mouthpiece/horn combinations.
Hey! Buy the mouthpieces! Make me an offer! They gotta go!