Steven Mead Mouthpieces Experiences?

[StarGemini]

Hey folks,
Here I am again with another dilemma!
I was looking to hear about anyone's experiences with any of the SM Ultra, Ultra X or the XR mouthpieces vs the SM classic mouthpieces.

I'm currently using a SM5. It's very old and the plating has peeled quite a lot. I'm not sure if that affects how it plays, but I've now got the budget to treat myself with a new mouthpiece. I've tried the 4AL before, but my lips aren't able to handle large mouthpieces. I've tried the Schilke 51D also and the rim feels a bit too small for me (it felt sort of like a cross between the depth of a larger mouthpiece but the rim diameter of a 6.5AL, I may be wrong but it's what it had felt like to me). From what I understand, the depth of the SM5 is very similar as that of the 4AL, and it's only the rim that's smaller. My tutor is a trombonist and so hasn't had much experience with mouthpieces specifically for euphonium and said it might be worth a try.

I've read that the X and XR models' rims have been a bit too sharp for lots of people's tastes, which is pretty ironic considering it's supposed to be more comfortable. I am looking to try out either the Ultra or the XR, but I'd rather not try all 3 as it'd mean having to wait, and I'd have to pay for shipping over and over (I can't test them until they arrive since I'm ordering online, no nearby stores sell the mouthpiece). As for the standard Ultra, I'm not sure how it compares to the Classic SM mouthpiece, so any insight there would also be very helpful. Anyhow, I'm eagerly waiting for all your responses.


Cheers all.

[deVisée]

I have both an SM4 and an SMXR5. I like both of them, but they're different.

The 4's rim is somewhat flat, the XR5's is convex; to me the 4 seals easier and the 5 sits more comfortable, certainly not 'too sharp'.
Euphonium is not my primary instrument so I'm not able to practice regularly but I can say that the XR5 does help my playing (except for the very low range due to its size) when showing up unprepared at rehearsals ;-) (can't rule out a placebo effect though).

[NLeuph]

If you liked the classic SM, i would stick with that. I played a SM4 for quite some years. The ultra mouthpieces are different. They sound a bit softer to me, and the rim is also different. To me it was not the better mouthpiece, so I stuck with the classic SM4 and 4AL later on. I now play a Mercer and Barker GW4, which I believe to be an improved SM classic mouthpiece. The GW5 is the equivalent to the SM5. So that might also be worth looking into!

[StarGemini]

If you liked the classic SM, i would stick with that. I played a SM4 for quite some years. The ultra mouthpieces are different. They sound a bit softer to me, and the rim is also different. To me it was not the better mouthpiece, so I stuck with the classic SM4 and 4AL later on. I now play a Mercer and Barker GW4, which I believe to be an improved SM classic mouthpiece. The GW5 is the equivalent to the SM5. So that might also be worth looking into!

Sorry for the late response, spent some time looking into it. They do look very attractive though (the price definitely isn't!). My, there's a lot of different models, and a number of choices for materials too. Out of curiosity, have you been able to try out any of their other ones? I was eyeing the MB5-ET, but I can't discern what the difference is between that and the MB51 and the Solo 51. I'm currently deciding between the GW5 and the MB5-ET, but there sure aren't very many reviews on either. Have you also any idea of whether the difference between BSP and Stainless Steel is noticeable?

[TheJH]

For me, the rim of the SM4Ultra is a lot sharper and feels thinner than that of the SM4. Other than that I can't remember a lot of differences because it has been years since I have tried an SM4U. The difference between rims is something I will never forget though.

[StarGemini]

Ah, then it might've been that I mixed the X with the Ultra mouthpieces. Will have to relook into that.

Cheers.

[NLeuph]

Sorry for the late response, spent some time looking into it. They do look very attractive though (the price definitely isn't!). My, there's a lot of different models, and a number of choices for materials too. Out of curiosity, have you been able to try out any of their other ones? I was eyeing the MB5-ET, but I can't discern what the difference is between that and the MB51 and the Solo 51. I'm currently deciding between the GW5 and the MB5-ET, but there sure aren't very many reviews on either. Have you also any idea of whether the difference between BSP and Stainless Steel is noticeable?

Unfortunately, I did not try their other mouthpieces. The 5 size is a little bit small for my embouchure, so I never really bothered to try the MB5 or the solo 51. The 51 is based on the Schilke 51D though. So a different design from the rest of their euph mouthpieces. I can only say that the GW series really work for me :-). The MB5-ET is described by Mercer and Barker as to be the same as the GW5, but with a rounder rim profile. So that is a matter of preference round vs flatter rim.

[spkissane]

The original "classic" SM mouthpieces are great, IMO. I used an SM4 when I started in college and had success with it. Tried an SM3U and SM4U for a while after but didn't care for them at all - not comfortable for me personally, and I always had to use the plumber's tape trick to get them to seat correctly in the receiver of my horn. Recently tried the classic vs the ultra side by side, and I still prefer the feel of the classic. (Nowadays I waffle between the Giddings DHWA-S and the Warburton Gail Robertson.)

[StarGemini]

Unfortunately, I did not try their other mouthpieces. The 5 size is a little bit small for my embouchure, so I never really bothered to try the MB5 or the solo 51. The 51 is based on the Schilke 51D though. So a different design from the rest of their euph mouthpieces. I can only say that the GW series really work for me :-). The MB5-ET is described by Mercer and Barker as to be the same as the GW5, but with a rounder rim profile. So that is a matter of preference round vs flatter rim.

Have you any idea what the difference between the BSP and stainless steel mouthpieces may be? Materials, I'd think, but I've no clue what BSP is. I can only assume stainless steel is heavier than BSP.

[dsurkin]

[snip] I'd think, but I've no clue what BSP is. I can only assume stainless steel is heavier than BSP.

I thought -correct me if I'm wrong - that BSP in a mouthpiece meant "brass, silver plated."