Originally Posted by
davewerden
Well, 30 years anyway! And before that for a while it was a 4BL.
But over all that time I have thought, "I really like this except for..." Fuzz in the tone was the first thing I noticed, and the clarity is not quite what I want sometimes. I think my last effort was talking to Parker Mouthpieces in Knoxville at ITEC. But while the one he gave me was really nice and felt good on the face, it didn't have that open sound that has kept with with the 4AL. So I've been looking, at least half heartedly.
It is funny how people stick with what they know, even though it is not quite right. The issues you mention are what I hear during the demonstration. The open sound that you enjoy sounds to me "too open" and is missing some of the core and fullness of a complete sound. I would call it an over spread sound.
I think the DC mouthpiece has the sound you might be looking for. But I would investigate the DC4 also. People who say such and such is too small in diameter may be just talking about what they are used to. I would give it a try.
Richard
King 1130 Flugabone
King 2280 Euphonium
King 10J Tuba
Conn 22B Trumpet