bright mouthpiece, dark horn- dark mouthpiece, bright horn
Euphos456,
It is my experience that the Yamaha 642 works better with the SM4 for me. When I play a 4AL (my usual piece) on a Yamaha, I sound too "bright". However, the Besson sounds bestter with the 4AL. I use the 4AL on my Prestige 2051 but use an Alliance 3 on my 300mm Sterling. Each horn gets its best sound (with me playing) with those choices. My Besson sounds "dead" with the SM4 and a bit harsh with the Alliance. The Sterling doesn't resonate as well and doesnt get the same wonderful dark choclatey sound with the 4AL as it does with the ALliance 3. The new SM4U is a different beast altogether. It is the only mouthpiece that allows me to switch between the Sterling and Prestige with no adverse effects. It works well with both horns, but not quite as well as the Alliance on my Sterling or the 4AL on my Besson.
By the way, I met Karla Romero two summers ago at Mike Milnarik's Cospmopolitan Tuba and Euphonium Workshop. She is quite an energetic and talented young euphonium player.
Doug
Adams E3 0.60 Sterling bell - Prototype top sprung valves
Concord Band
Winchendon Winds
Townsend Military Band