Mark Bradley

Sorry to be a turd in the punch bowl but I tried the Stage 1 mouthpiece a couple of years ago and didn't care for it. It's very, very shallow. Not suitable for every day type use IMO unless you're Wayne Bergeron-- and even then I'm not so sure. Too bright a tone to live with for me, although I admit it does play the high notes easy but then the bug-a-boo of most all these super shallow pieces comes into play... the dreaded -bottom out- after 8 bars and it ends up sounding like buttermilk being blown out a paper A-hole (forgive the old Navy slang).

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wilcox96

You certainly are..."colorful"...there Mark..ha.

I would say this about them.. "if" you are comfortable on a shallower cup, this is really one powerhouse of a piece.

Isn't that the point though? Those that can use a mpc like this.. may enjoy it. Others may not. It's a nice design and very well made. Plus, you get to deal with Felix, which ain't so bad..

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Brad Wilcox
NYTC Endorsing Artist
Stage 1 California Light w/Rose Brass Bell
Bach Strad Flugelhorn
GR Mouthpieces
http://www.newyorktrumpetcompany.com...rad-wilcox.htm

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Bourbon City

I've played the Stage 1 for a year or so. My first one is gold plated and the second one which I got about a month ago is silver plated. I can't tell much of a difference.

The throat opening of the Stage 1 is small compared to my GR66** and my Mendez #2. With the funnel 2nd cup and this small bore, the air gets moving quickly. I can play the upper register more softly, quitely and more easily than with any other mp I've tried and after 50 years (this summer) of playing I've tried a lot of mps.

I play two trumpets. I have two Stage 1s because I got tired of wondering if I have my Stage 1 with me. When you get used to this fine mp, you may panic if you don't have it with you. Some one said "Don't leave home with out it" Amen!

Oh, buy the way, I have played my Stage 1 for orchestra and it did well. In fact I played my Stage 1 NY Light trumpet with my Stage 1 mp (a near perfect combination I must say) for orchestra and it was too much for the Bachs. Overpowerd them. Drowned them is sound. So I am learning to adjust to such powerful equipment.

Felix, how about a 2nd Stage 1? One that gives me the big sound of the GR66** but the upper register performance of the original Stage 1. Do it and I'll buy it period. Awsome, it would be awsome; for me anyway.

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Dale Schmidt, P.E.
Bridges to build and Rivers crossed...