AR Resonance Mouthpieces

[Shepherds_Crook]

@administrator that is a big bummer to hear …
I have only worked directly with Tony at AR in Italy. Adam has his own line … Lotus. I have no idea about if AR has anything to do with those mouthpieces. They are not mentioned by name on the Lotus website like those on the trumpet-building side of that biz, but do mention moving manufacturing of the MPs from Switzerland to Italy.

[Kehaulani]

This post is deleted!

[barliman2001]

@administrator I have no idea myself.

[administrator]

Ok, now I want a new MPC to go with my new (to me) Super Recording. Should I try an AR? They're quite pricey. If so, which one? I play a Bach 3C at the moment.

[barliman2001]

@administrator If you are happy with the 3c, stick to it. If you want to play around, get yourself a Stomvi Combination System (two stems, seen different cups, one rim; but you can order additional rims, different cups, different stems... https://stomvi.com/en/products/mouthpieces/mouthpieces-trumpet/classic/1210-combi-system-trumpet-kit

I've been using it for more than ten years now - apart from my Bach 1C Megatone for Big Band - and several friends have taken to it as well. It's about as pricey as an AR, but much more flexible.

And if you want to play around on a mouthpiece safari first, go for the Arnolds & Sons range, sometimes marketed as Stoelzel. They are reliable copies of Bach favourites at incredibly low prices...

https://www.thomann.de/gb/search_GK_blbmbt_BF_arnolds-sons.html?shp=eyJjb3VudHJ5IjoiZ2IiLCJjdXJyZW5jeSI6NCwibGFuZ3VhZ2UiOjJ9&reload=1&oa=ala&gk=BLBMBT&cme=false&manufacturer[]=Arnolds %26 Sons&bn=Arnolds %26 Sons&filter=true

[flugelgirl]

@administrator Better to get used to the new horn with your current mpc and see how you like the combination. If you don’t, worry about that later. Changing up both at once might be more than you really want to deal with.

[administrator]

@flugelgirl said in AR Resonance Mouthpieces:

@administrator Better to get used to the new horn with your current mpc and see how you like the combination. If you don’t, worry about that later. Changing up both at once might be more than you really want to deal with.

Yep. I'm just playing around right now. I haven't played in 7 years so....it's fun for me!

[Kehaulani]

I have one. Good mpc. but no added-value for me, so don't use it.

[administrator]

@kehaulani said in AR Resonance Mouthpieces:

I have one. Good mpc. but no added-value for me, so don't use it.

That's good to know because they are quite pricey. I was at the local music store last night trying MPCs. They had a Bach, Denis Wick and a Monette. I couldn't get the Monette to work right for me, and then when I saw the $400 price tag it was a definite no-go.

[Newell Post]

So, here's a thought...... Jet-Tone. Yeah, I know the current ones are reproductions and some people are obsessed with the originals. However, I started struggling more with the 3C as I get older. (Limited endurance.) I had bought one of the new Jet-Tone "C" (or "Symphony C") models several years ago but never used it much. I tried it again, and it now seems to be the best option for me. The more rounded rim--which I used to not like--now gives me better endurance and several other benefits. It's just a thought and it's only $75.

[GeorgeB]

@newell-post

As my chops getolder and crankier I sometime find myself changing mouthpieces from one that works most times but troublesome at other times to something I bought and used that worked well in earlier days. And for a brief honeymoon the change works now. But soon old problems raise their ugly heads and I end up going back to what I was currently using.
I hope the honeymoon works long enough to solve your problem.
George

[Kehaulani]

So, I'm not clear. Did you go for a smaller or larger diameter? At any rate, what Jet tone model did you settle om?

[Shepherds_Crook]

@georgeb kinda funny to me, but I never changed my MP for years and was happy. Then when I did try some other things, I started to realize some were actually better than others for me, and the Safari began. I also realized I could switch around and not have issues doing so. I can still do that, but for the last season of playing, the AR is my favorite so I have been playing it exclusively and am totally satisfied.

[Newell Post]

@kehaulani Jet-Tone "Symphony C" for me, although it is stamped just "Jet-Tone C." I think it is a little smaller than the 3C and definitely has a more rounded rim. I used to use a Bach 10.5C when I wanted a smaller mouthpiece, but the 10.5C also has a very flat rim, similar to the 3C.

[Dr GO]

@newell-post said in AR Resonance Mouthpieces:
...... Jet-Tone. Yeah, I know the current ones are reproductions and some people are obsessed with the originals...

I will go on record as being one of the individuals recognizing the performance advantage I had of my vintage Jet-tone, but that was an impression not based on the inferiority of the newer Jet-tone but more on the revelation perspective of "let the buyer beware" perspective.

I had an original Studio B and was told by a music store owner that the "Al Hirt" model was an exact copy. It wasn't. The newer Al Hirt model I still have feels comfortable, but it does not have the range enhancement match of the original Studio B (that was actually given to me by Maynard Ferguson). I only got the newer replacement when I thought I lost my Studio B, panicked as I had a lead gig to play soon after realizing I could not find the Studio B. Fortunately, I soon found the original Studio B so all was well for that gig.

Now let me jump ahead about a decade, when I had Jasson Harrelson make me a 5 mm Studio B copy. It was prefect in every way, from the feel to the ease of high range performance. ONE DIFFERENCE and to the advantage. The 5 mm allowed me to play with the backbore as Jason's 5 mm mouthpieces are modular composites. I found his version reproduced a true Jet-tone copy on the front end with a new backbore creation that provided an performance endurance to the original Studio B. The problem I had with the Studio B was after about an hour of playing, I would start bottoming out as fatigue set in. With the Harreslon copy and the larger backbore, I have yet had the problem with bottoming out over time.

[Dr GO]

Hear are pictures of the cup comparisons of the Harrelson copy (on left) and the Jet-tone Studio B (on right)

[Shepherds_Crook]

@dr-go oh no! You purchased a gold mouthpiece … I can think of a million better ways to spend my money

[Dr GO]

@shepherds_crook said in AR Resonance Mouthpieces:

@dr-go oh no! You purchased a gold mouthpiece … I can think of a million better ways to spend my money

That gold mouthpiece did not cost me a dime.

Jason threw the gold mouthpiece in for the original price I paid for the trumpet 4 years prior to receiving delivery of the horn. Yes, as you remember it took Jason 4 years to deliver on this horn. In Jason's defense, I purchased it at a time between which he had a stroke and then moved his business from Minnesota to Colorado. But his professionalism and business sense did provide me with a better horn, leadpipe and mouthpiece to fit on that leadpipe.

[Dr GO]

Here are some better images comparing the front and back ends of the Jet-tone Studio B and Harrelson copy:

Backbore end

Cup End

[Vulgano Brother]

@barliman2001 said in [AR Resonance Mouthpieces]
"And if you want to play around on a mouthpiece safari first, go for the Arnolds & Sons range, sometimes marketed as Stoelzel. They are reliable copies of Bach favourites at incredibly low prices..."

Better made than some Bachs in the '90s. Using these mouthpieces allow us to try all kinds of modifications cheaply. Throat sizes (drill bit and a vice) can be easily enlarged, as well as the backbore (fingernail files for reamers).

A fun project is to match the popping frequency of the backbore to the cup, filing off the end of the shank until they match--then machine a Morse taper to the appropriate end diameter.

Adds zing to the response.