{"id":483,"date":"2008-08-10T11:58:30","date_gmt":"2008-08-10T18:58:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bassic-sax.info\/blog\/?p=483"},"modified":"2009-08-10T10:57:56","modified_gmt":"2009-08-10T17:57:56","slug":"rico-royal-metalite-mouthpieces","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bassic-sax.info\/blog\/2008\/rico-royal-metalite-mouthpieces\/","title":{"rendered":"Rico Royal Metalite Mouthpieces"},"content":{"rendered":"

As I mentioned in a previous post about the Graftonite mouthpieces<\/a>, I’ve been using the Arnold Brilhart designed Rico Metalite and Graftonite mouthpieces on my\u00a0baris for a number of years now, and really like them. They do everything that my more expensive mouthpieces\u00a0do, and more.<\/p>\n

I originally started with a Graftonite, but one day while in a music store in Vancouver (with no horns with me of course, since I was living 3000 miles away at the time) I discovered that they had some new, old stock Metalite pieces for alto, tenor, and bari.<\/p>\n

The alto and tenor pieces I bought were fine, but unfortunately the bari piece (an M11) was too open for me.\u00a0However as luck would have it, another\u00a0SOTW<\/a> player had\u00a0a Metalite bari piece (an M5) that was too closed for him. Both were mint condition, in their original boxes, so we just traded them.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Above are the Metalite pieces that I have. From left to right: an alto M5, a tenor M7, & a baritone M5.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The alto and the bari pieces both have the pebbly finish, while the tenor piece has a smooth finish.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I find\u00a0the Metalites are a very free-blowing piece, that can produce an incredible volume when necessary. However, they do not get thin, or distort in sound when pushed to that level. They are very lush in the lower end, and subtone beautifully. The\u00a0midrange is fantastic, and the top\u00a0end of the horn doesn’t suffer from any “thinning” in tone. Altissimo notes also just pop out effortlessly with the Metalite.<\/p>\n

I can’t comment on the soprano Metalite since I don’t own one, nor have I played one, but of the 3 I have, the bari is by far and away the clear winner. (Something that is echoed by most players who have them all.)<\/p>\n

Before discussing the differences between the Metalite and Graftonite mouthpieces, a bit of mouthpiece anatomy might be necessary. The following is from Mouthpiece Express.com<\/a>. BTW, this is a great resource. Make sure you check them out!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"\"<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Tip Opening<\/strong><\/p>\n

Wider tip openings offer a freer “blow” and can be played more loudly. However, they are brighter in sound and require more control. Conversely, narrower tip openings offer more resistance to airflow and require a less control. They tend to have a darker and rounder sound.<\/p>\n

Baffle Height and Chamber Profile<\/strong><\/p>\n

The baffle is the roof of the mouthpiece chamber. A “high baffle<\/strong>” is when the baffle is built into the tone chamber, thereby reducing the chamber’ size. A high baffle gives a tone with more edge and brightness. Conversely, a “low baffle<\/strong>” results in a larger chamber and a somewhat darker sound.<\/p>\n

Bore<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mouthpieces with a small bore give a tighter, more compact, focused sound. They are more individualistic (soloistic) in nature and therefore are better suited for solo playing than for use in ensemble playing. Large bore mouthpieces have a broad and open sound quality and blend well in ensemble situations.<\/p>\n

Other Important Terms<\/strong><\/p>\n