Flügel Mouthpiece Thoughts?

Steve A · Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 1:48 pm Post subject: Flügel Mouthpiece Thoughts?

So, I'm considering preparing a contemporary solo for flügelhorn (and bits of piano - David John Lang: Song Without Words http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijboXQ3X4GI - cool piece, and great playing by Mr. Hodgson), and I'm dusting off my flügel, which brings me to my question.

I've got a Curry 1.25 FL, about which I can't make any complaints, beyond the fact that it's not really in sync with the sound that I'd like to make. (I'm playing a Yamaha 635ST) It's nicely in tune, and all, but, especially up high, actually, I find it too fluffy, too airy, and, for me, not focused enough in sound. (Nothing against the mouthpiece! I think Mr. Curry makes great stuff, but this one isn't taking me where I'd like it to.)

So, I'm looking for a recommendation or two about flügel mouthpieces which do a couple of things:

- sound and feel even from down low to up high
- have good intonation, and
- have a good amount of core/focus to the sound. (But aren't trumpet mouthpieces either, since that would kind of defeat the purpose.)

Looking at that list, the GR flügel mouthpieces seem like a good choice, but I don't seem to hear much about them here (and, for all that I'm sure they're excellent, they cost a pretty penny), so I'm wondering if anyone has input on GR flügel mouthpieces, and/or counter suggestions.

Thanks!

miles71 · Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 2:20 pm Post subject:

Pickett Brass makes some great flugel mouthpieces. I have played a GR flugel piece and like the Pickett. Check them out.

TD
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Paul Tynan · Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 2:24 pm Post subject:

GR made me a fantastic custom FL piece a year ago. Call Gary he's the man.
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NMex · Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 2:50 pm Post subject:

Hi Steve,

Are you switching from playing trumpet during this performance or are you just playing flugel? The reason I ask is that I have trouble when switching from playing trumpet to flugel and getting a nice flugel sound at first. I used to carry two Curry mouthpieces in my bag, each with the same rim but with different cup depths/volumes. I would recommend just getting the Curry 1.25 FLM. Your sound should be more clear and focused. One nice thing about the Curry pieces is that they are relatively inexpensive.

If you are not switching from trumpet during this performance, you should be fine. Warm up well and go for it.

Best wishes,

Mario
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Nonsense Eliminator · Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 2:55 pm Post subject:

I think I might be inclined to try out the FLM. I use a Curry 1.25FL and like it, because I like the fact that it's got a very diffuse sound, but I wasn't a big fan of the GR piece I tried -- it seemed to me to be way too far in the other direction. I felt like it was just playing an overgrown cornet or something.
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Uberopa · Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 5:40 pm Post subject:

My experience with flugelhorn mouthpieces has ranged from the ridiculous to the sublime. I found that keeping a rim about the sane diameter as my trumpet worked well for me. I then tried differing cups and backbore combinations. One school of thought encourages the use of the largest piece you can play in order to produce a full, dark sound. I tried this method and had some success. I had a killer sound but with no range using a WT3X. Another school of thought is more moderate in its approach. One would use a mouthpiece that produces an acceptable sound but not so deep or wide as to lose range or make intonation challenging. I went with a Pickett 3Fl. This worked better for me, personally. I don't play flugel exclusively or my choice might differ. FWIW,

Brian

Steve A · Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 4:13 pm Post subject:

Just to revisit this in case anyone turns this thread up in the future: I bought a Curry 1 FLM from a fellow THer, and am very happy with it. Better pop on the articulations, clearer sound, much easier and more focused-sounding high range - it's better in every way I was looking for.

Haplo · Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 5:39 pm Post subject:

Hi Steve,
I'm glad the piece worked for you. I've actually found that you don't need to use one of those "swirling vortex of doom" flugel pieces to get a good rich sound.
happy playing,
rob

afp · Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 9:25 pm Post subject:

I am currently playing a Curry 20 FLM. The FLM cup, throat, and backbore are perfect for getting a tight, mellow, flugel sound.
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thomasmarriott · Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 10:04 pm Post subject:

I have spent a lot of time and money on Flugelhorn mouthpieces in the past year and have tried probably all of the manufacturers that are widely available. Here is my take: The very best, (for me, in my opinion) are the Giardinelli flugel pieces I have. If you can find one, try it. The next best thing is probably a three way tie between Warburton, GR Technologies and Yamaha. Looking for a good, even sound in all registers and good intonation, those four brands offer a fantastic compromise in sound vs playability, which all mouthpieces are.

Bob Reeves and Marcinkieewicz and Stork also have some very good flugelhorn mouhpiece designs as well. The CKB model pieces were surprisingly good too.

Just my two cents, lots of other good pieces out there too.
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tommy t. · Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 6:20 am Post subject:

My advice is contact Curry.

You know exactly what you like and dislike about your current Curry piece and can describe your experience and desires to him clearly. He knows his products and he knows trumpet and flugel playing. You and he together have enough information for him to make a specific recommendation to address your specific problem. Just send him a copy of your post and he can recommend something from his shelf with the same rim contour and diameter with a cup/throat/backbore on a blank that will fit your horn and fix your problem.

A complete change of brands introduces a lot of variables.

Tommy T.
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afp · Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 8:17 am Post subject:

jadickson · Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 10:02 am Post subject:

Try the Curry FLM cup first so you keep all variables the same besides the cup depth.

chuck in ny · Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 12:12 pm Post subject:

i guess everybody is different. i started out on a curry FLM, was afraid of going too deep on the cup, then went to the flip oakes which is deadly deep, and thence to the flip oakes extreme which is... extreme.
i switch back and forth from the X to the regular oakes which at this point sounds focused and bright. an FLM would make the horn sound like a trumpet.
wish to have kept the 'm' as a reference piece to see if a flugel sound could be made with it. anyhow it's hard to see flugel or cornet pieces being other than deep and large bored. players do well with the flugel sounding more like the trumpet, and that would be a good use for the FLM. i'd like to hear a clip of someone playing a warm flugel sound with a shallow piece. ..chuck

afp · Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 5:30 pm Post subject:

lanshan75 · New Member Joined: 27 May 2012 Posts: 3 Location: florida

I have been annoyed by this problem for a long time,so thank you for your post, it is really useful for me.
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Don Herman rev2 · Posted: Mon May 28, 2012 5:39 am Post subject:

oliver king · Heavyweight Member Joined: 07 Aug 2008 Posts: 1250

I've been using a Warburton 3flx with my Kanstul Burbank for about 20 years now. I played a Taylor 'Fat Boy' recently with a Taylor piece that was an excellent match/balance.

loweredsixth · Posted: Mon May 28, 2012 9:48 am Post subject:

Mark Curry does have a fourth option...his FLJ cup. He hasn't made these available yet, but I think he said it's coming soon. This cup is kind of in between the FLM and FL cups, but much closer to the FL cup. Ask him about it.
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