Brassmouth,
I would disagree. He needs to learn how to produce tone before he can become a mouthpiece connoisseur like the rest of us.
Find a Bach 3C, 5C, and 7C. Put them up to your lips, see which one feels the most comfortable. Go from there.
I started on a 5C.
Oh, and I agree with the above statements. Dont play just to be the best, or be better than someone. Play for fun, then for love. See where those two feelings take you.
Van