So anyway, a few weeks ago, I get a call from Mr. Murphy. Seems the trumpet pieces were just finished, and Joe had three in his possession he wants me to try.
**** BOO YAH! ****
Of course, I quickly make my way to try these out. I bring along my Strad and ZeuS Aegis piece (This had been my only mouthpiece for the past year).
So, I walk inside the testing room (The CU band room) and find Joe with three VERY COOL looking pieces.
A 3C, with a Lechner-style cup (more depth) and very open backbore.
A .640, with a Schilke-style rim. The cup was more funnel-shape.
A "FERGUSON," with the drilled-out dime shape. The rim WENT INTO the cup, amazing.
The .640 was the most comfortable lead style piece I have every played on. STILL too narrow-feeling for me.
The Ferguson was insane. Could hardly get a note out of it. Mr. Murphy could get the double C on it, though (that freak).
The 3C was my favorite, and it is still in my possession.
Sound: Improved. Definitely with these pieces. Notes are perfectly clear. Even the euph players who had stopped by could hear the difference, and we know how little low brass pay attention to ANYTHING.
Intonation: Improved, believe it or not. I find I can hear when the notes are out of tune better.
Comfort: More smooth on the lips than gold, warms up faster than silver, and doesn't get that "sticky" feeling after some hard playing.
ONLY CON: You have to sort of re-learn playing on this piece. You have to "blow through" the note more, it seems. Since I have been working a LOT of it anyways, I didn't notice that much of a difference.
Also, endurance seems to be hurt on these pieces for a while.
Now, after about six weeks, I can play my entire routine without getting shot, which is amazing. I just wish I had more time to practice, dangit.
Overall, I am completely taken away with how these pieces perform. I would suggest that everyone out there try them and see the difference these pieces make.
By the way, could I talk one of the "local" pros here on the forum to try out these pieces? The symphonic pieces are being tested by the Nashville Symphony, at the moment. I could speak with Joe, however...
Van