PS Solo review

[BrandonJones]

Hey guys,

Just got the Mike Finn PS Solo from Pat to test. So far, so good! I've played on an SM3 for a few years now, and while I really liked the SM3, I was looking for something a bit different without too much change. I've been switching back and forth between the SM3 and the new Alliance Prestige E2, and I really liked the changes that Steve implemented on the new Alliance piece, however, I didn't like the initial tone production quite as much as my SM3. Of course, that could be due to the fact that I was used to the SM3 so much and was used to hearing that sound on a regular basis. I liked the sharper rim on the Alliance and ease of play. I had heard a few good things about Pat's new piece, so I figured I'd give it a shot. I don't change mouthpieces often at all, so I thought since I'm on a "trying many moutpieces kick", why stop now?!?!? haha So...I got the piece Saturday morning, and have been playing on it since. Actually tried it in a rehearsal yesterday for an upcoming concert Tuesday, and have been playing it back and forth between the SM3, Alliance E2, and my LOUD LM-20. Here's my thoughts:

Rim - VERY comfortable, even though quite a bit sharper than SM3. Feels like an opened up Schilke rim, only with much improved articulation, and not the "cramping" feel of the dreaded 51D

Cup - feels virtually the same as the SM3, which is what I'm used to and what I like

Backbore - This is where I feel Pat had his greatest idea. He went to the V-shaped backbore, similar to what's on Schilke's from what I understand. This has really opened up the mouthpiece, but surprisingly, has actually taken out some of the "fuzz" that can be associated with the SM's, and all Wick's for that matter. I like to move a lot of air through the horn, and mouthpiece of course, and this mouthpiece actually feels like it will take more air even than the SM3, which is incredible to me. HOWEVER, it does not feel like you have to "force" air through it, enabling the player to feel as though they can really control the mouthpiece without having to do a complete work-out before playing the mouthpiece. Very good idea Pat!

Response - Some have noted that it does not respond as quick as the Alliance. I can agree with that, but the response is not by any means bad on the PS Solo. It's very close to the SM3 in my opinion which, again, is what I have been used to dealing with. With a lightening quick response, you're generally going to lose some core sound in the mouthpiece, which is my only drawback to the Alliance. The sound is still great from the mouthpiece, but compared to the SM3 and PS Solo, I prefer those sounds and tone colors.

Some have also noted that the PS solo sounds like an opened up 51D. I'll agree to an extent, but I really think it's more like a 52E2 sound that is a bit broader, yet does not lose focus. So far, I really am liking the mouthpiece. I haven't decided to make a switch just yet to one mouthpiece, but it's narrowed to the PS Solo, Alliance E2, and LOUD LM-20 (which I will post another review of later...). I think all of these mouthpieces have advances over the once thought insurmountable SM3. Great what Steve and others like Pat and Joe Murphy have done in regards to mouthpiece advancement!

Hope this helps, and if there's any other reviews/opinions of any of these mouthpieces, I'm very interested to hear what you guys think!

[Nastynoff]

Beeing struck by the new mouthpiece-kick myself, makes me wonder if this mouthpiece are to be found in other sizes? I usually play on a Wick 4AL, and are also looking for minor changes, like better articualtion and so on

[fsung]

A 4AL size version is in the works (PS4). AIRC, the goal was to have it out in time for ITEC, but, obviously, that didn't come to pass. Don't know what the current timeline for release is. I believe there are plans for a 5AL-equivalent as well.

Mike Finn sent me a prototype of the PS4 (4AL size) to try back in June. Brandon's comments on the PS Solo vs. the SM3 are pretty much accurate for the PS4 vs. the 4AL/SM4. Unfortunately, it didn't match up will with my Sterling, so I sent it back.

[ydave]

In what way did it not match up with your sterling??

As I have sent for a PS4 and play a Sterling V.

Ta
Dave

[fsung]

Dave.

The PS4 and PS Solo are relatively heavy and have more of the mass in the rim and cup compared to Wicks and Schilkes: not as much as the Wick heavytops, but definitely more than the standard Wicks and SMs. Between that and the heavier heft of the Sterling V, I found the sound a touch heavy and "flat" (lacking in color, not intonation) for my taste. IIRC, you have the 300mm bell; I have the 310mm heavy red brass bell, so that may make a difference.

[euphdude]

Felix,

Do you have the large heavy belled Sterling? If so, I'm not surprised that the PS pieces wouldn't work for you. When I tinkered around with various options on the Shires trombones, I thought that you had to have good balance to have a good efficient setup that had a good sound and responded well. For example, a heavy bell mated with a heavy slide just felt dead and had poor response. Make one of those components lighter, and things improved drastically...I'm a heavy slide- light bell sort of a dude, some prefer the opposite, but both work better for most people than when it was too heavy.

Just from my limited playtest, I think the additional heft from the PS-SOLO is just what the new Bessons needed for me. The response is still quite fast, but the sound is much more centered and rich...the best of both worlds. When my tendonitis flared up slightly on the Willson, I remembered how good those Besson valves were, but was worried about having to add mass somewhere like the valve caps to tame it a little. The added heft from the PS-Solo satisfied me.

I'm going to give one of these a huge workout, so I can prove that my tendonitis doesn't flare up. That is driving this more than anything else.

[fsung]

Euphdude,

Yes, I have the large, heavy bell.

I did play the PS4 very briefly on a Yamaha 842 for about 10 minutes and thought the sound was more lively than on my Sterling.

I had very similar results with a couple of Mike Finn combos (55M and 55N rims and B5 and C6 cups), which are very similar in design to the PS4 (in fact, it's probably fair to think of the PS4 as a larger diameter, one-piece version of the MF 55M/C6): slightly dull or "flat" with my Sterling, fine on an 842, so I'm inclined to think that top-heavy mpcs in general aren't a good fit with my Sterling.

[ydave]

HI It's a little late & I'm just in from the pub, but....

Yes I play a 300mm Heavy red brass bell Sterling Virtuoso
I keep coming back to a DE 103 XTI 8 MP, I like my Loud 25 MP for darkness but not quite as good for top end playing, so I don't find my heavier wieght MPs too much on my smaller belled Virtuoso, also have a MF 55 deeper cup a good sound on it but a bit narrower than ideal. Is the PS4 as heavy as ther 55??

Best
Dave

[fsung]

Dave,

If the MF works with your Sterling, I would expect the PS4 to perform very similarly.

I tried the PS4 at the same time I tried the Mike Finns, and to my eye and my lip, the PS4 looked, felt and played like a larger diameter MF 55M rim and C6 cup. (There may be a difference in the backbore and throat, but I didn't check them.) The PS4 may be slightly heavier than the MF owing to the larger diameter, but I wouldn't expect the difference to be more than a few grams.

[DelVento]

I just started playing around with the PS Solo and I can say that it's a FANTASTIC mouthpiece!

It's extremely comfortable and it will take all that air you need to push into it and turn it into an big, focused sound.