Question on Mouthpiece Clones.

[alexwars200]

Hello all, this is my first post on this forum, and I am sorry if this has already been asked - but when I looked I couldn't find anything on it...

I was wondering how do cheaper clones of tuba mouthpieces hold up to their original, for example the Bach 24AW and a copy such as the Wessex 24AW. Is there any noticeable difference between the two, such as the plating lasts longer on the Bach - and therefore worth paying more for it, or are the measurements are slightly different?

I'm asking this because I am looking at getting a new mouthpiece to go with my current DW 3SL, I am contemplating getting a 3L or a VB 24AW but I saw the price of some 24AW clones and was wondering whether I should bother getting one in place of the 3L/VB24AW due to the cheaper price.

Thanks in advance,

Alex

[Donn]

Faxx mouthpieces have a reputation for being as good or better quality than the mouthpieces they copy. That's where I'd go if I wanted a 24AW. In the slightly more likely event I wanted a 3L, I guess I'd get the real thing, though I personally have had problems with plating wear on Denis Wick mouthpieces. Maybe they're better now, because apparently not everyone has this experience.

[ghmerrill]

I don't find the Wick 3L (which I've used in the past) to be remotely similar to the 24AW. Maybe it's just me. In terms of a 24AW, if you must have one, I have found the Faxx mouthpiece clones to be quite good (though I haven't used their 24AW clone). However, I'm somewhat staggered by the cost of both the Faxx and (especially) the Bach. Haven't had any problems with any of my Wick mouthpieces (bass trombone or tuba), but that probably depends on a number of issues.

[alexwars200]

Thanks for the responses
So from what I gather, The Faxx mouthpieces are the way to go for a cheap copy of the 24AW. However both of you lean more towards to the 3L, is there a particular reason to that or is it just personal preference?

[Donn]

However, I'm somewhat staggered by the cost of both the Faxx and (especially) the Bach.

$50 for a Faxx? I suppose you could get something for less from China.

[bighonkintuba]

I can't comment on the Faxx 24AW, but I did purchase a Faxx 18 from Sam Ash last summer that I believe to have been counterfeit: in a Faxx-labeled package (transparent plastic container; labeled paper insert) with no manufacturer's mark on the mouthpiece itself. The rim also bore little resemblance to any Bach 18 that I've seen, old or new. I returned it, explained my concerns and the manager removed all of the Faxx mouthpieces from his display. Something to look out for...

[menroth]

Hi!

Here´s a comment about the Wessex mouthpiece that came with the tuba I bought. (I also ordered on Jonathan's recommendation a DW3L for the instrument). It's a playable mouthpiece, I have it now in my car for a "buzzing only" mouthpiece for travels, etc. I am not that comfortable with the tiny edge on the inner rim, check my professional photoshop below. For me - it would have felt better if it had been more rounded. Also, compared to my Bachs (7 & 18) the inside of the cup is not supersmooth. This might not be a concern for you, and 25 GBP would probably not sink your economy

Wessex piece.jpg

[ghmerrill]

However both of you lean more towards to the 3L, is there a particular reason to that or is it just personal preference?

I regard the 24AW and all of it's clones as useless, confining, unresponsive pieces of junk. But they have a following and somehow (???) eons ago managed to find their niche as the "default" mouthpiece particularly in the schools. A lot of people (especially in the UK?) seem to like them.

The Wicks (3L, 2L, and especially 2XL) just work much better for me on my Wessex EEb. I believe that Jonathan told me that he uses a 2XL as well. The rims on the Wicks are quite narrow, and many people don't like that at all. Even I find them narrow, and I tend to like narrow rims. Hence the 2XL.

I would never have thought of using a Wick mouthpiece on my Cerveny BBb when I had it, and almost certainly would never do so.

Everyone is different about these things -- in part, because we all have different faces.

[Donn]

However both of you lean more towards to the 3L, is there a particular reason to that or is it just personal preference?

Don't ask me! I know only what I read about either. There's lots here, if you're interested.

Anyway, maybe the real moral of the story is that as you English Eb players cling to the one or two mouthpieces that you've traditionally played, out of hundreds of possibilities, you show us how little it really matters.

[Donn]

Vincent Bach did not give the Faxx founder a lathe but a set of Mt Vernon mouthpieces. These are reportedly copied exactly for the Faxx brand.

Making it no less likely to be a fairy tale, but at least one that makes a little sense in places.

[iiipopes]

In a similar fashion, the Blessing 18 is the best 18 Bach never made, having played it and a number of Bach 18's of different manufacturing runs over the years. If I was told I had to play an 18, it would be a Blessing (pun intended) and not a Bach.

$50 as too much for a mouthpiece? Look again. Most name-brand mouthpieces start now at @$100.

[aqualung]

"The trouble with quotes on the Internet is that you can never know if they are genuine."

Abraham Lincoln

[Wyvern]

What is referred as the Wessex 24AW clone is actually a bit different in it is slightly larger and has sharper inside edge to rim. I am staring to call the 24L to distinguish it being different. Some people who dislike the Bach 24AW, actually like the Wessex 24L.

As mentioned above I did use a DW 2XL but for the last few months have been using the Wessex 24L - it works well for me with the Eb.

However from next batch, the Wessex Eb will come with new Helleberg style mouthpiece which I have been trying and find also works well. I am sure that will be preferred by US customers.

The BBb tubas will come with larger Helleberg inspired mouthpiece, while we will soon have faithful copy of the original CHIEF mouthpiece. Although it gives great sound, I am dubious about supplying with any tuba, as I believe too much for all but the strongest players.

From 2015 most Wessex tubas (and euphonium and trombone) will
be supplied with gold-plated mouthpiece as standard.

[ghmerrill]

As mentioned above I did use a DW 2XL but for the last few months have been using the Wessex 24L - it works well for me with the Eb.

I have just recently been going back to my Schilke 66 with the EEb. The reason for this is that I get a somewhat different (and to me more attractive) tone quality in the mid and high range with this as compared to the 2XL -- and because I've been playing beside two others who use, respectively, a medium-size and a large CC instrument. The 66 can also give me a bit lighter and "bouncier" sound. So I find it a bit better to use when pretending to be a string bass playing pizzicato at reasonable tempos.

However, if I'm going to end up as the only tuba at a performance, then I use the 2XL. It gives a "broader" and "boomier" tone quality, and more gravitas and volume -- particularly in the contra-bass register.

I'm not really a proponent of mouthpiece switching, but I find the compensating EEb to be sufficiently schizoid in terms of high and low range that there seems to be some advantage in it for me.