In Part 1 of my post about Charlie A’s BBQ mouthpiece for tenor sax, I was able to provide the information that Charlie originally wrote for his website when he introduced the piece. He did also post some reviews from players who play-tested the prototypes he sent out, and this is what they had said:
Skip Heinz:
“Hi, Charlie.
I just wanted to let you know how much I am enjoying the #10 BBQ that I recently purchased. It plays just as well as the prototype I tested earlier last year. It is the BEST MPC for R&B, Classic Soul, and Funk that I have ever played, and I have been playing for over 45 years.
I still work regularly in a 7 piece R&B group, and I am loving this mpc.
I was wondering if you are going to make a t-shirt available with Kim’s HOT BBQ sketch on it. I, for one, would love to buy one in black.
Thanks,again, for taking the time and effort to develop such a fantastic mpc.
Regards,
Skip”
Aaron Santee:
“Hi Charlie,
I spent a few minutes with the BBQ (.125”) today and had a good time 🙂 Here’s my general opinion on how it plays for me…
First off, I really like how the mouthpiece looks and feels. Duckbill-style mouthpieces are my personal favorite, so the BBQ feels very comfortable to play.
The baffle is amazing! I never thought a mouthpiece could have as much edge as the BBQ has when the spoiler is inserted! And I found the mouthpiece very easy to control. Even with the spoiler inserted, the mouthpiece is still controllable (and when U see how high that baffle gets with the spoiler inserted, you’ll wonder how the BBQ can get any sound! But it certainly does!!!).
Oh, and this is a very dynamic mouthpiece… it can get really loud! THE perfect mouthpiece for big band lead tenor players out there!!! Also perfect for fusion players and players who like the early Brecker and Lenny Pickett sound.
Thanks for letting me try out the BBQ! I know that the players who’ve been looking for edge (and I don’t know many tenor players who don’t thrive on edge!) will have had their prayers answered!”
View of the chamber of the BBQ.
Anonymous:
“Charlie A cost me 100 dollars
That’s right. The ole cuss cost me a hundred dollars.
See – I had three Ponzols on trial from ww&bw, each at around $250.00. Then Charlie’s BBQ arrived and, dang! That’s all she wrote. Had to keep the BBQ at $350.00 and return the mpc’s that cost $250.00.
I posted some mpc’s for sale under “Help me buy a Ponzol” and sold enough to get me a Ponzol without costing me anything extra. But now Charlie’s comes along with a mpc that is just what was looking for and it is $100.00 more. How could he do this to me?
(Oh – the BBQ? …easily worth the extra $100.00, he says with a self-satisfied smile.)
p.s. The Ponzols were two M2/100 and an M2+/110. One M2 didn’t play well at all, very restricted. The other M2 I was ready to keep if the BBQ didn’t supersede it. The M2+/110 was just a little too big. What I liked about the BBQ is that it seemed the sound was a bit more substantial/full and still had the edge.
Also, the BBQ is more versatile. I can get the same or more cut and power than the M2’s if I use the spoiler and a metal lig. However, by using a Rovner dark lig and no spoiler, and some Vandoren Select Jazz filed, I can get a very nice jazz sound that will project but not overpower in big band.
I would like to add that before I ordered the Ponzols I sent Peter an email and got a very prompt and personal reply and he was very helpful. I would endorse his products anytime. It’s just that the BBQ had a bit more personality to the sound and was more suitable for what I was looking for.
And Charlie – Dude. Thanks!”
View of the table of Charlie A’s BBQ.
Kim Pelatier:
“Hello Charlie,
Again, thanks for letting me try the BBQ, it’s a nice mouthpiece you got there! So far, here are my first impressions about it:
Reviews on BBQ mouthpiece prototype (size #9, tenor):
The mouthpiece blows very easy, shows no resistance and has a nice bright sound. I’m a bright sound fan, that’s what I look for in all my mouthpieces. The middle and higher range sound what I would describe as “sweet”, although the higher range has a tendency to be a little sharp – Mind-you, maybe that is just me. I noticed that you sent me a #9 instead of a #8 like you were supposed to. If these are comparable to Runyon sizes, although there isn’t very much difference between a #8 and 9, it could be that I’m just not used to play on a slightly bigger mouthpiece… Give me some time to get used to it.
The sub-tones are coming-out nice and mellow throughout the entire range of the horn. The projection is great, better than the Quantum’s I’d say. Too bad the weather is a bit too cold these days to be playing a metal mouthpiece outside. Or I would go try-out this mouthpiece on the streets to see how it competes against traffic noises. But I’m pretty sure the BBQ would make it’s self heard without problems. If the weather warms-up next week, I promise I’ll go try it outside.
I find the BBQ sound similar to the Runyon Metal Quantum but with more bottom in the low range. One thing I really appreciate is that with the spoiler in, the sound doesn’t get too edgy – That’s what I hated about the Quantum (not bright enough without spoiler, bright enough but too edgy w/spoiler) The BBQ has just the right dosage IMO.
I don’t know about the other prototypes that were sent for trials but one thing I didn’t like about the one I got is that I found it difficult to play punches in the lower range of the horn; the sound didn’t always come-out clearly. This problem doesn’t exist in the middle & high range – To make sure, I checked my sax for leaks and it didn’t have any. I tried the mouthpiece with my other tenor and found the same problem. Also, I played both saxes with the mouthpiece I usually use (Runyon Custom splr #8) where no such problem existed.
Despite that, it’s a mouthpiece that I like and with time I think that I can get used to play it without flaws. I’ll give you more impressions later…
Take care
Kim”
Side view of the BBQ showing its duckbill design.
Mark Rybiski:
“Charlie,
What a pleasant surprise to come home and find a box full of home cookin’ from Sardis!! I immediately took it out strapped a Fibracell on it and commenced to playing. Took me a moment to get my bearings but just like when I played the BBQ at your home I really like how player-friendly this mouthpiece is for me.
I will have a chance to give it a good going over this weekend. It is a real fun mouthpiece to play on, one that keeps my interests and straight away I am able to get that personal articulation and phrasing I am after out of it. This is without the wedge (It will be interesting to see how much fire that will add to the grill!!). Such an expressive piece.
I’ll give you a full evaluation later on but I am grinnin’ ear to ear on the inside and out with this mouthpiece. It is a great match for a guy like me that likes both his rock, blues and jazz. Thanks so much for sending me one to try out.
Sorry to gush… Thus far it is a great fit for me….just a killer set-up on my B&S Codera tenor. I will also give it a good playtest on my 1933 Martin Imperial tenor as well.
Charlie you are simply the best.
Thank you so much,
Mark Rybiski”
View into the chamber of the BBQ with the spoiler inserted.
Tom Schneider:
“Hi Charlie,
I posted feedback on the BBQ but wanted to follow up and send them directly to you also.
My main tenor mouthpiece is a Ponzol M2/110 that I’ve played for the last 4 years. I primarily play R&B/Funk/Soul with some occasional jazz gigs mixed in. Since I play in a 3 piece horn section it important to be able to cut through the mix for solos. On to the BBQ….. I was very impressed with the sheer power this mouthpiece has. With the spoiler in I don’t think I’ve ever played a louder mouthpiece.
The best part is that it does not sacrifice tone quality. Really nice fat sound that has enough edge to cut through a loud stage mix.
Without the spoiler it was similar to my Ponzol but with a bit more power. Very easy altissimo and full top to bottom. The lowest octave is also easier than my Ponzol. Tuning is right on with both my Yamaha 82Z and Couf SuperbaI.
The only area where I had problems was with the duck bill design. Over the week that I played it I had not yet adjusted. I’m sure over time that I would get used to the shape.
In any case I’m sure I’ll have to buy one as soon as they hit the market!!! Thanks for the opportunity to give it a try. I’m sure it will be a big success. Hey! I have a mint Guardala laser trimmed Super King R&B…. want to trade?
Thanks!
Tom
P.S. One more comment. You have hit on a combination that no other mouthpiece seems to cover well and that is a huge cutting sound that remains full. I’m sure the BBQ will be a success!”
View of the chamber with the spoiler inserted.
Robert Merrill:
“Some initial comments after playing the piece (with a Fibracell 2.5)are as follows:
It plays bigger than my main piece (a HR Tenney Berg 120/2/CFCC), thus, I would probably get a .110.
The tuning on my 1945 silverplated Conn 10M is fine (checked with a tuner)
My sound is denser and more complex without the spoiler, although altissimo pops out easily with the spoiler in.
I agree with your comment that, without the spoiler, it will take all the air I can put through (another reason I’d probably go with a .110)”
Helen Kahlke:
Hi Charlie.
I wanted to let you know I went and picked up my order at my friend’s place today. I just spent the last 1/2 hr. playing the BBQ. It is great!!! I love it!! I will obviously need to spend more time on it to learn its nuances, but I just wanted to let you know that first impressions are great. My better half, who has heard my sound for the last 10 years, came into the studio to see what I was playing, because my sound was so recognizably different. It was a big thumbs up. “Great sound…Kicks ass” was the exact quote I believe.
So thank you for putting the time & effort into the BBQ Charlie. I know you said you were doing altos next, but is the maybe a BBQ for bari in the future as well? Now that would be one kick ass piece…
Take care….
Helen
Of course we know Charlie didn’t have the chance to develop the alto sax BBQ pieces, as he passed away in April 2005.
At the time when I play-tested the BBQ, I had my Selmer Mark VI set up with Noyak resonators, and was using a Dukoff S7 with Fibracell 2.5 reeds. When I tried the BBQ on the VI, I didn’t like the sound. However when I played the BBQ on my Martin Handcraft, which has nylon Selmer-style resos, the sound was amazing (as the above quote illustrates).
I don’t know why exactly, but I had stopped using the BBQ on my Martin, and had been using my Dukoff for months now. Then a couple of weeks ago I decided that I should be using the BBQ when I’m playing with Deception, since that’s exactly the kind of setting the piece was made for.
So 2 weeks ago at rehearsal I pulled out the BBQ and let ‘er rip. The guys were stunned at the sound, volume, and “guts” (their word) that my horn had… And let’s face it, when non-horn players notice a difference, it’s got to be pretty big! Now I’m using the BBQ exclusively on my Martin. It is a great tool when you’re playing in an electric Blues environment.
I’m also really looking forward to seeing how the BBQ is going be on my Conn 10M when I get it back from Sarge in November. The 10M’s natural volume & power surpasses the Martin anyway, so combined with the BBQ it should be an excellent combination for my work in electric Blues where volume and projection reign supreme.
