The New LOUD Rim vs the old one/one found on Ordnance MP

[Dutchtown Sousa]

So I'm sure many of you have seen the new rim on the LOUD line of tuba mouthpieces http://www.loudmouthpieces.com/theloudrim_a/247.htm" target="_blank
Question is: Is there probably any basis to them saying that new rim is better than the old rim, as seen on Houser Mouthpiece's Ordnance line?: http://www.housermouthpiece.net/tuba-mo ... steel.html" target="_blank
Correct me if I am wrong but a stainless steel mouthpiece is more dense than a brass mouthpiece so there probably would not be as much of a problem with vibration in the first place. I want to purchase one of the LM/Mk mouthpieces, and seeing as when I might be able to buy one once I get more money would that rim on the LOUD be worth the extra $5? If it is still the same prices I won't even bother with the LOUD because saving $20 times the number of players next year on our sousa line could be a couple hundred bucks saved in the end that could go towards the purchase of Kelly's for everyone in the section.

[jamsav]

call Dave Houser, he can speak to the subtle differences in the rims , regarding stainless steel vs. plated brass, its more a matter of fell than any audible differences you may hear . I dont think any difference will be noted that you could directly correlate to the densities of the material- time will tell that stainless steel will wear better than anything plated , but SS wont bounce if dropped and will dent and ding if not taken care of...js

[pgym]

call Dave Houser

Color me cynical, but asking ANY manufacturer/direct seller of a product about whether or not a competitor's product is better than the one he/she makes is like asking the fox how to protect the chicken coop.

If it is still the same prices I won't even bother with the LOUD because saving $20 times the number of players next year on our sousa line could be a couple hundred bucks saved in the end that could go towards the purchase of Kelly's for everyone in the section.

The bucks saved at $5 times the number of players could also go toward the purchase of Kellys, so why bother with the Loud to begin with? For that matter, Kelly's SS mpc is $17 cheaper than Houser's sale price, so why bother with the Houser?

If you're buying that many mouthpieces in a single order, you should be asking about a volume discount.

[jamsav]

oops ... my bad...didnt realize that Dave was no longer the manufacturer of the LOUD line of MPs- didnt realize that the specs might have changed- but I also believe that Dave would give anyone who asked, the straight and skinny...

[Doug Elliott]

I know a lot of people are very much into the stainless steel thing, and I have chosen to stay with brass. One thing to be aware of is that IF you drop a steel mouthpiece, it is FAR more difficult to repair than a brass mouthpiece. A dent in the shank might make it impossible to insert until it's repaired, and if it's a screw rim, a dent in the threads makes it impossible to screw on without being remachined. I have repaired threads on a Houser screw rim, that I think actually came with a microscopic ding in the thread that wasn't even visible but it wouldn't screw on.

[Dutchtown Sousa]

I don't really want to get another Helleberg style mouthpiece as that is exactly what I have right now, rather my section wants to try something different because these will be used for marching band rather than concert band. Also I really can't get the buzzers as a black mouthpiece probably would not make my band director happy. I am still trying to convince my band director to require every brass player to own a plastic Kelly mouthpiece for cold weather playing but I am sure he will either want clear or white. Once I can convince him and then he gets orders from everyone we will order them in bulk because Kelly offers a bulk discount as follows according to an email they sent me after I asked if they had bulk discount:
10-49 mouthpieces - 10% off
50-99 mouthpieces - 15% off
100+ mouthpieces - 20% off

I am not too concerned about repairs on mouthpieces because most music shops I have seen will repair a mouthpiece for around $5-$10 and once our sousas get repaired I don't see any mouthpieces falling on the ground unless someone is being a complete klutz.

[Dutchtown Sousa]

So a sweet deal from Dave Houser: Buy 12 or more mouthpieces, get them at $117 instead of $130 (10% discount). I emailed him back after that asking about if he has tried the new loud rim and hopefully he will get back to me on that sooner of later

[Dutchtown Sousa]

So Dave Houser has not tried the new ones but he does have lexan rims for the Ordnance line at a price of $20 in bulk orders. I guess I will have to decide between having a Kellyberg or getting a lexan rim. I'll save a bit with the rims I guess, and its nice to save space. Ill just have to see how that goes.