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Why search Ebay and pay hundreds of pounds for an old Meyer alto mouthpiece in poor condition. Peter has used the facing and dimensions from a NY Meyer for this new Vintage series. As close as you will get to having a new 'old' Meyer.Ponzol - Vintage Ebonite 85 for Alto. Great news for players who remember the vintage New York Meyers or for those who do not, but are curious as to how they would have sounded! Well here is the answer! The 85 tip opening model will be quite open for a number of players, but if you have a good pair of lungs and a well-developed embouchure then you will appreciate the full-bodied-ness and power of this mouthpiece. The sub-tone is huge and feels like the more natural way to go when hitting the lower notes - I found the straight tone in the lower register was harder to glide into and therefore needed a fair bit more embouchure and breath attack. This mouthpiece could be used nicely for straight-ahead jazz and big-band playing but due to the power it wealds when pushed I think it could work well in louder, guitar-led outfits too!Ponzol - Vintage Ebonite 75 for Alto. This tip-opening choice gives a much more immediate and bright sound than the 85 version. If you prefer to sit back and let the sax do the talking without getting so involved at the 'pushing end' then this mouthpiece could be the choice for you! The accessibility of the tone means that the sound goes much brighter much more quickly (than on the 85) but it's a really creamy brightness - kind of reminds me of my own modern-day Meyer, which just happens to be a really good one with a well balanced brightness! Having talked to Peter Ponzol he mentioned that he aims to maintain the 'fundamental' harmonics in the tone whilst emphasising the partials clearly at the same time - this is a mouthpiece where you feel the partials are very apparent but at the same time the core sound is always there to back it up! So in terms of playing styles, it will cover the big band and jazz styles nicely, but for me (as a funk man!) it's going to do the smooth jazz and funk things just as well! jim@sax.co.uk
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