 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Duane
Date: 2004-04-05 02:06
I recently changed from a VanDoran B45 mouthpiece to a Morgan RM 15 on a Selmer Centered Tone and am thrilled with the purity of the tone and the ease of playing them, especially the lighter, lower volumn notes. Has anyone else used this setup and found the same result?
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Author: Fred
Date: 2004-04-05 03:23
How interesting that you should ask . . .
I'm playing an RM15 on a Centered Tone as well. I really like it. I use a Greg Smith Ched 1+ for much of my playing, but found that if I tried to force too much volume through it, the tone would crack. With the Morgan, I don't think I'm capable of making it crack.
I've been playing 3.5's on the GS and on the RM15. I'm actually considering trying 3's on the Morgan. What are you using?
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2004-04-05 12:38
Ralph is a proponent of larger chambers (and overall volume) in clarinet mouthpieces. I think his design (which is, shall we say, venerated) is well suited to the large bore clarinets of the 30's and 40's.
I just sold a Series 9 with an RM15 and the player is raving, too!
Get the right reed on a Morgan and it can be a comfortable rig.
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2004-04-05 23:13
Duane,
I don't have a CT (perhaps some day!). But, I'm getting wonderful results with a RM15 on a mid-60's Noblet. When I acquired this clarinet from a friend last year I talked with Ralph about it. He spoke highly of the older Noblet clarinets and suggested that I use a RM15 on it. Sure enough, it's an excellent match. I've found that Alexander Classique reeds help to bring out the warm, dark tonal qualities of this set up.
Good luck with your CT!
Roger
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Author: Fred
Date: 2004-04-06 00:37
Roger and Duane -
What strength reeds are you using? And how does the Alexander Classique compare to Vandorens?
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2004-04-06 02:32
Hi Fred,
#2.5 or #3 Classique works well for me on this set up. In conversations I've had over the past few years with Ralph Morgan he encouraged me to use somewhat softer reeds and to take in more of the mouthpiece. This has helped to open up my sound on both saxophone and clarinet.
I'm not sure what you're asking about regarding Classique vs Vandoren. Their strength is fairly comparable. I used Vandoren for many years. However, a couple of years ago I tried Classique and was very impressed with the warmth it gave to my sound. After quite a bit of experimentation with different reeds I settled on Classique for all of my horns.
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Author: JoeMich
Date: 2004-04-06 15:12
I'm in the process of having Selmer CT restored and am interested in trying/buying a new MP. The RM 15 certainly sounds like what I'm looking for. How do I contact Mr Morgan? I've looked here on this BB, IMS, WW&BW and Weiner Music, and none of these carry Morgan MPs.
Please help.
Joe.
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2004-04-06 15:49
Joe,
Dave Hoskins has information about Morgan mouthpieces on his www.junkdude.com website. Ralph Morgan made Dave his point of contact for phone or internet orders. One of the good things, in my opinion, about ordering a Morgan mouthpiece through Dave is that it arrives in the mail directly from Ralph Morgan. Thus, no one has played on it before you (other than Ralph or his staff). Whereas, if you want to try out a selection of mouthpieces places like WW&BW, IMS, etc can be helpful.
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Author: JoeMich
Date: 2004-04-06 22:40
OK, many thanks sfalexi and Roger. I had checked the on-line catalogs that I mentioned and came up against a blank wall. Anyway, waiting for a reply from 'junkdude'.
Joe.
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Author: Duane
Date: 2004-04-07 01:52
I am using the Rico Grand Concert Select 2 1/2 and I am very pleased with them, in terms of tone and they last a long time too. The VanDoren reeds are pretty good too.
Duane
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Author: Duane
Date: 2004-04-07 01:55
Fred,
I am using the Rico Grand Concert Select 2 1/2 and I love the tone and ease of gettiing a pure sound.
Duane
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-04-07 13:50
My recommendation, if you want to try it out, would be to order one through wwbw to test it and see if you like the sound and feel of it. However I probably wouldn't buy it there. I've realized that most of their mouthpieces are "new-old stock" (stock that's been there possibly for a VERY long time, and been tried and tested by many, but is considered 'new' because no one has bought it). And it DOES seem like this junkdude fella' works with Mr. Morgan personally. And I'd rather get the mouthpiece from the maker than get a mouthpiece that's been played time and time again, over a period of what could be many months or even years (who knows?) paying about the same 'new' price for it.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2004-04-07 15:48
Alexi,
It's good that you mentioned that!
A couple of years ago I purchased a Morgan alto sax mouthpiece from WW&BW. It was my first Morgan so I didn't know then what I know now. After getting several mouthpieces for my other horns directly from Ralph Morgan the alto mouthpiece from WW&BW seemed strange to me. It was polished inside. No mouthpiece I received directly from Ralph was like that. So, I called Ralph and he looked up the serial number of the mouthpiece in his records. Lo and behold, the mouthpiece was 6 or 7 years old! Yet, WW&BW sold it to me as a new mouthpiece....and for the price of a new mouthpiece. Heaven knows where it was for that period of time, how many people tried it, and what WW&BW did to the mouthpiece after people tried it. After that experience I've ordered my Morgan mouthpieces only from Dave Hoskins or Ralph Morgan directly.
I've done quite a bit of business with Dave Hoskins and I highly recommend him to others. He's honest and provides great customer service. He's gone out of his way to help me out a number of times. His "junkdude" web site name is a hoot. I've received only top quality products from him.
Roger
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2004-04-07 16:23
Morgan mouthpieces may also provide a bit more flexibility in terms of sound production which may lead to the feeling they are somewhat more free..
.the Chedeville mouthpieces are slightly smaller in bore design but may have more of a focus or hold in the sound which gives the feeling of resistance....
David Dow
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-04-07 16:42
Roger,
I just recently 'realized' that fact. I don't know how I came to it, but last night all of a sudden it clicked and I said, "Wait a second. That mouthpiece could be old as the dickens. And who KNOWS what tiny unnoticeable scratches on the table, or in the chamber, or what warpage on the tip or whatever previous 'trials' have put on it through roughhandling, or leaving it out in the sun too long, or any number of things. Changes that perhaps WWBW would miss through their re-inspection of a returned mouthpiece.
I think WWBW is great, and I don't think you'd have much trouble with a crystal or metal mouthpiece from them, but for a handmade hard rubber or wooden mouthpiece that was so carefully altered, I'd try to get it from a source as DIRECT to the maker as possible. ESPECIALLY if the maker offers a return policy anyway (not all do).
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2004-04-07 17:57
I got my David Hite mouthpieces directly from the maker and found these to be superior to the ones that sat on the "shelf" which I have tried of the same maker.
In my own experience was lucky to have been able to have dealt with Mr. Hite personally...
David Dow
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Author: sinkdraiN
Date: 2004-04-07 18:18
yes, I had the same concerns about my beloved alto morgan mouthpiece. I bought it used at a music shop about 10 years ago. I spoke to ralph morgan on "sax on the web" about the fact that I do not know what shape my mouthpiece is in. Ralph offered to inspect my mouthpiece and make any adjustments needed. He is an amazing person!
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-04-07 18:45
sinkdraiN wrote:
> yes, I had the same concerns about my beloved alto morgan
> mouthpiece. I bought it used at a music shop about 10 years
> ago. I spoke to ralph morgan on "sax on the web" about the
> fact that I do not know what shape my mouthpiece is in. Ralph
> offered to inspect my mouthpiece and make any adjustments
> needed. He is an amazing person!
How's THAT for customer service?!
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: JoeMich
Date: 2004-04-07 21:31
I sent an email to Dave Hoskins at 'junkdude' asking for some general info and recommendations on Morgan mouthpieces and the answer I got was the snail-mail address for Ralph Morgan in Springfield, Ohio. No other information/comments. My impression is that Dave may take an order and forward it to Ralph, but dosen't care to get involved with details.
Does anyone have a phone number where I can reach Ralph Morgan directly. Please email me off-line.
Joe.
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2004-04-07 22:24
Joe,
There's quite a bit of information about the mouthpieces at the junkdude.com web site. All of the different models, facings, and prices are listed. When you're at the site click on mouthpieces and then click on Ralph Morgan. There's several pages of information. Perhaps the info at the site may help to answer your questions.
If there's a particular question that I can help you with please feel free to write to me at nancyandrog@earthlink.net. Between my various horns I've played just about all of Ralph's mouthpieces at one time or another. Ralph has a phone nulmber, of course, but he's very busy and is trying to focus on working. Besides making his mouthpieces, he's starting making Morgan saxophones in his shop.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-04-07 22:27
Perhaps he means to tell you (in far fewer words) is that there's no better source to learn it from than the maker himself. And maybe he's been asked not to give out the man's personal number or email address for fear of spam and unwanted prank calls. I'm sure that if you send a letter with YOUR phone number/email address Ralph Morgan will recognize that you're serious about this and will probably contact you through one of those more convenient means.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Fred
Date: 2004-04-08 12:25
I'm glad to hear about the 2.5 - 3.0 reeds on the RM-15. I probably will pick up some softer reeds today. I don't know if I can get Classique's or not, but we'll see what's available.
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Author: sinkdraiN
Date: 2004-04-09 16:22
I play a B40 and am happy with it. Unfortunately, the Morgan clarinet piece I own is an RM28. I think i played it twice. A piece that open is like playing an alto sax. I often wonder how an RM15 would compare to my B40.
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Author: clarisax
Date: 2004-04-10 05:00
i play a morgan rm6 and personally think it is the BEST mouthpiece ever. i switched to it from a richard hawkins B, which was very responsive, but was too bright and peircing to blend well, at least thats what i've noticed. i also find the exterior shape of morgan mouthpieces (the duck bill beak) to be very comfortable with my embouchure (spelling?). it seems that vandoren v12 4 and 4.5 work the best with this mouthpiece.
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