When I saw this on eBay yesterday, I was rather intrigued. I have one of these Crystalite mouthpieces for alto, and it is a very nice piece. My friend Ray has a black plastic Dukoff for tenor, and it too is a very nice sounding mouthpiece. (Update: I have it now, but I can’t get it to sound anywhere near as nice as Ray could.) 😉
I’m not sure when these Crystalite Dukoffs were made, but I’ve read on SOTW that it was in the ’80s. I’m just not sure how accurate that is.
Source: eBay.com
The seller, New York Woodwind and Brass Music, writes the following about this vintage Dukoff tenor piece:
This listing is for a vintage Miami, Florida Dukoff Super Power Chamber Crystalite mouthpiece for tenor sax. Stamped D7. This rare plastic mouthpiece plays beautifully. A bit of an edge and nice full tone. Appears to be in perfect condition except for a couple of tiny cracks forming under the stamp. For this reason it would be best to put a band around the shank. Not cleaned or polished. Acquired in excellent condition. Comes with what appears to be the original ligature and a metal cap. Offered here at a reasonable price considering the quality.
These photos show a mouthpiece that appears to have been very well looked after:
Source: eBay.com
The auction for this rare Bobby Dukoff Crystalite tenor mouthpiece, runs until March 31. The Buy It Now price is $275.00. At the time of writing there were 2 offers on this vintage piece.
I am comfortable with a bell bronze Lawton 6*B.
Update: This rare Crystalite Dukoff sold for $200.
Nowadays I often hear remarks as: “a beautiful sound for such a plastic Chinese mouthpiece”, when I use a crystalite on my Presidents.
That’s funny. 😆
So your Dukoff is mistaken for a $3.34 acrylic mouthpiece from Alie Express. I can’t imagine anyone mistaking a Dukoff for anything other than what it is: a Dukoff.
I have only used my Crystalite alto piece a couple of times for shows. It makes things rattle. I don’t believe I have ever tried it on my alto President. I should try that sometime and see what happens. My Hohner also is quite loud, and full of overtones as it is. Add a Dukoff to it, and I think my fillings might rattle out of my mouth. 😉
Theo, here’s a question for you, do you also have a metal Dukoff? If so, what are the differences—if any—that you notice between the Crystalite and the metal one?
No metal Dukoff tenor MP, never played one.
It is a good question; how important is the material difference.
According to Phil Barone it is not measurable.
But I always wondered if those measurements are accurate enough to
distinguish the sound difference between, for example, a mark vi and a Beaugnier.
As I play with a double embouchure there are no problems with fillings.
Also I use a special reed binder which touches the MP only on the power chamber (with a nylon tip) which mutes some of the unpleasant high frequencies.
This also takes care of the other rattles.
With a 2.5 reed this set up is extremely loud that soft tones require so little air that it is difficult to keep the tone smooth and not go to the gritty side.
So I use a soft reed which gives enough power.
The sound mixes beautiful with two King Zephyrs ( bari and tenor) on my left and right.
The MPs sound is affected strongly by minor leaks, so I have to keep my pads in a perfect condition. I also use this MP to check for leaks in other saxophones.
There are also cracks visible in the shaft, but after playing it for 30 years the MP is still in one piece. When it breaks I will make a replica, but not a translucent one.
i
Hi Helen,
I have weighed in before, yet I’d like to once again observe that there is not one single Dukoff style of saxophone mouthpiece, but rather a continuum of bespoke and production pieces.
The significant differences in materials can be expressed as stability, malleability, and comfortability. In my experience, the human mind is more flexible than the instruments that express it. ;o)
paul
ps
@Theo
You need to check out a stainless steel Lawton 6B, and be happy. Seriously.