New Steven Mead Mouthpiece?

[ubq]

Dear Netters!

Maybe I'm wrong but I saw on one of the new pictures of Mr. Mead's website, that he's playing with different mouthpiece than the Denis Wick SM Mouthpiece. Do you maybe know more about this?

Thanks

[mceuph]

I'm told he's now playing on an Alliance mouthpiece, they're available through http://www.justforbrass.com" target="_blank Click on mouthpieces. I believe they're designed by cornettist Roger Webster, and apparently they are being shipped out now with the Besson Prestiges instead of the Wick SMs.

Martin

[JTJ]

I've been using an Alliance #2 for the last couple of months, on both a Yamaha 842 and a Willson 2900 with the bass trombone shank receiver. It's the equivalent of the SM3, and for me, plays like an improved SM3. A while back, over on Dave Werden's site, I wrote this about the mouthpiece:

"If there is any criticism, it may be that it plays with a little less warmth than the Wick. But that is it. Otherwise it is better in all respects. It plays like an opened up SM3. Articulations are cleaner and faster. The low range has more punch. The high range is more secure and singing. Overall, from top to bottom, the sound is silky and pure, with none of what we have been calling the Wick fuzz. It both slots and centers very well, with a lot of room to bend the note as needed for effect or intonation. And, I picked up a little dynamic range at both ends, ppp & fff."

Mouthpieces are intensely personal, but for me the Alliance #2 is an evolutionary improvement over the Wick SM3.

John

Triangle WInd Ensemble
North Carolina Wind Orchestra

[The Impaler]

Sounds intriguing. I just ordered one from Pat to try out. Anything that comes highly recommended from John is on my must-try list!!

[ufoneum]

Hey everyone,

Sorry for being absent from this post, but my sister graduated from Law School today and I've been without my computer for the past few days.

Steven is in fact performing on the new Alliance 2, which he gave insight into the design of. From a sizing specifiation - it is very similar to the SM3, but there are changes in bite as well as backbore, which he feels are for the best. I believe that Steven also uses this mouthpiece on his new recording, 'Audacious', which we will be releasing on June 7.

They are available in 2 finishes at Just For Brass, and while currently only available in LARGE shank; I have been told that the EURO shanks are coming soon. We'll have the entire lot at the ITEC for people to try.

In answer to the tuba questions. There is an entire line of TUBA moutpieces from Alliance, which we have samples in stock of all of the sizes. We will be stocking the entire line in Silver soon. There is a nice Alliance mouthpiece pouch available for tuba - we ordered some, but they have yet to make it across the pond. Watch the NEW ARRIVALS button at Just For Brass for these soon.

Any other questions, please feel free to email: pat@patstuckemeyer.com" target="_blank or info@justforbrass.com" target="_blank" target="_blank

Hope this helps.

Best,

Pat Stuckemeyer

[sungfw]

Don't know about the tuba mpcs, but for the moment a least, the Prestige series euph mpcs are exclusive to Just for Brass.

[ufoneum]

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to let you all know about the upcoming tuba mouthpieces. I've attached a sizing chart which will hopefully be of some help to the tuba players out there.

It looks like we'll have our stock of tuba mouthpieces in the next week or so - as long as it takes to get across the water.

All of the new Besson instruments are coming with the Alliance mouthpieces, so while it's a new thing now - I'm sure that all of the dealers will be carrying them soon.

Hope this helps.

Pat Stuckemeyer

[iiipopes]

Pat, four questions on the new Alliance tuba mouthpieces:
1) Throat sizes?
2) Backbore profiles?
3) Small shank for those of us with older receivers?
4) Rim profile compared to a Wick 1?

Thanks for posting the information in a chart form that includes basic comparisons.

[ufoneum]

I'll have to check on those measurements - more info later!

- Pat Stuckemeyer

[sungfw]

it is very similar to the SM3, but there are changes in bite as well as backbore

Pat,

What direction is the change in bite: sharper or rounder?

Also, I saw on rogerwebster.co.uk that there's a "2a" that's slightly shallower than the 2. Will that model be available in the US?

Thanks.

[ufoneum]

Hey everyone,

I have spoken with Roger Webster, and he is promising a complete sizing chart of the new Alliance mouthpieces in the coming weeks - I will post them as soon as they are available:

Also, the changes in bite were a slightly sharper inner rim than the Wick. Also, the 2a will be available in the US soon.

Many thanks.

- Pat Stuckemeyer

[ufoneum]

I would say that the biggest difference between the Alliance 2 and the PS-SOLO would be the backbore. The Alliance 2 has a barrel shaped backbore, similar to the Wick line. The PS-SOLO has a v-shaped backbore, similar to Schilke mouthpieces.

Hope this helps. Any questions, please send me an email: pat@patstuckemeyer.com" target="_blank

Best,
Pat Stuckemeyer