Jeff Reynolds and Steve Ferguson
are to be complimented for coming out with what is no less than a
fabulous mouthpiece. I was skeptical about a mouthpiece with a
"wider" rim from past experience with them, but the Reynolds
mouthpiece is the most comfortable mouthpiece I've ever played on.
The core of sound and tone is excellent, and plays evenly throughout
all registers. The focus in both the upper and lower registers is
nothing less than awesome. Definitely worth a try!
Jim Bermann
I'm very happy with this piece so far. It's
just made the things I was struggling with about that mouthpiece
(clean articulations, consistency of sound in different registers)
MUCH easier - probably mostly due to the smaller throat, and the
design around it that seems to make it work for an orchestral sound.
Needless to say, I'm thrilled that you had this mouthpiece
made!
Gabe Langfur
Having played Minick mouthpieces since Larry
started making them (I've had a Minick V [a copy of Larry's Mt.
Vernon 1 1/2G] picked from half a dozen, 2 Minick L's [one early, one
later, each picked from a bunch]) I was very interested when Steve
posted last week. I immediately asked for and received one of the
(declared by Jeff) "brighter" mpcs. thinking it would be a better
complement to the dark Minicks and Yeo I already have.
The tone was rich and full, the wider mpc
rim was a shock after months on the Yeo. But I didn't like the valve
notes, they seemed stuffy. Legato and upper register are gorgeous,
but marcato or staccato articulation took more work. I e mailed Steve
my impressions and he sent me two more to try, both from the "middle"
(not specifically bright or dark).
YES, this is what I was hoping. Same lovely
legato but the valve notes are much better and so is the
articulation. I really like the Yeo and will continue to use it as a
big orchestra or "slide tuba" mouthpiece, but for the freelance work
I do (mostly chamber and small ensembles) this mouthpiece is
excellent. Don't get me wrong, it works fine in orchestra as well, I
played it last week on "Hoedown", "Buckaroo Holiday", "Fanfare for
the Common Man", and "Chichester Psalms". I asked others in the brass
section who know my playing to keep a listen. They liked it, comments
were: "focused", "meaty", "nice core". Those of you who prefer the
Schilke 60 behemoths or the Yeo will probably find it a tad too
small. I like the tone and response of the Yeo but it was too much
work--sucked the air right out of me making it difficult to match
phrasing with trumpet lines, was unforgiving if I took a couple of
days off, and after a 2 hour brass quintet gig (playing the trombone
book) was very fatiguing.
I had played my Minick L's for 12 years and
loved them, but wanted to get a "prettier" tone quality. I think the
Reynolds is going to do that for me. I would advise (as Larry advised
me) that you make sure the backbore on a mouthpiece is as straightly
drilled as possible. You can tell by looking at the hole in the stem.
If one wall of the stem is thicker than its opposite, it is slightly
off center. I find this affects tone color between registers. Only
one of the 3 Reynolds was drilled absolutely straight. The Yeo (and
my Minicks) I have is dead center straight the timbre matches from
the altissimo through the pedals. Also the first Reynolds I tried had
a smaller throat than the Minicks I have, yet a slightly larger cup.
I think that is why the valve notes backed up and it had a slightly
"brighter" sound (more high overtones).
The winner I picked works the best for me in
overall range, tone, and response. (Yes, my important backbore is
straight). But all 3 are excellent bass trombone mouthpieces. I think
the first one I tried would work great for a tenor doubler on a
smaller bass trombone. After a few days I am used to the thicker rim
and I think it helps legato, comfort, and flexibility. This is an
excellent mouthpiece and I recommend trying it.
I wish to publicly compliment Steve
Ferguson for not only putting out an outstanding product but for his
patience, concern, communication, fast service, and his trust in me
in sending these mouthpieces. I wouldn't expect him to do it for
everyone, but we are fellow S. Californians and both students of
Jeff's. Thanks Steve.
Jim Prindle
My JR arrived today, and I have put some
time in with it tonight on both my Conn-Minick 62H and my stock Bach
50B3. It really has a great sound on both horns; however, I am making
a transition from a UMI-George Roberts, which has a smaller rim and
cup. The JR really has a comfortable rim, nice and wide. On both of
my horns, the tone from F above the staff, to valve Eb is super. The
valve D and Db, I am going to have to work on them, as I really am
fighting to center them. The pedal notes just knock you socks off! I
just finished several pages of Remington and the flexibility on the
lip slurs is great. Each overtone just seems to snap right in,
especially the longer positions, like 6th and 7th, and when using the
valves.
Looks like a great mouthpiece, and I am
sure, as I have already seen on the trombone-l, others are really
digging this mouthpiece, also. Thanks for the time and effort in
getting Jeff's mouthpiece out to other bass trombone players.
Denny Seifried
Bass Trombone-Springfield (OH) Symphony
& Dayton Jazz Orchestra
Sorry it's taken me a while to get back to
you, but I thought you might like to have some feedback. This
mouthpiece is even more centered and focused than my original Minick
L. I am very pleased with its sound too. I've looked at practically
all other available mouthpieces over the last few years, but the
Minick always won the tournaments!
Cheers and thanks again. I have been using
the Reynolds for about two weeks and really am getting used to it,
more each day. I must say that the MP is just a real killer on my
Conn 62-H. I have just used it with my Minick C-pipe, and have not
tried it with my Minick L pipe. I have owned that 62-H for
approximately 25 years, and have tried dozens of different
mouthpieces. The Reynolds is just superior on that horn! I have also
been using it on my Bach 50B3, playing in a 30 piece orchestra for an
8-service Easter gig, and it is great in that horn, also.
I just want to thank you, again, for getting that mouthpiece out to
all of us bass trombone players. Hope that you have a Happy
Easter!
Denny Seifried
Bass Trombone-Springfield (OH) Sym. &
Dayton Jazz Orchestra
"It has a more cup shaped bowl, and a classic Bach style shank,
with a non-Schmidtt backbore"
You can find the
Ferguson mouthpieces at several fine music stores around the US,
including:
