• FAQ  • Search  • Memberlist  • Usergroups   • Register   • Profile  • Log in to check your private messages  • Log in 

Experiences regarding the new Lotus mouthpieces?


Goto page 1, 2, 3  Next
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    trumpetherald.com Forum Index -> Mouthpieces
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Oddeyez
Regular Member


Joined: 20 Apr 2006
Posts: 21
Location: Sweden

PostPosted: Fri Jan 18, 2019 12:49 am    Post subject: Experiences regarding the new Lotus mouthpieces? Reply with quote

Hi everyone,

Since the Lotus line of mouthpieces recently have been released in Sweden,
I am curious to know about the experiences you guys and gals out there have regarding these mouthpiecers so far?

Considering Mr Rapa's pitch in the videos, my first reaction is along the lines "If something seems to good to be true, it probably is..."

I am only interested in objective feedback.

Thank you in advance,

Cheers,

Michael in Sweden
_________________
Black lacquered Jupiter Pocket Trumpet
Silver plated Calicchio 3/9 trumpet from the mid 80's
Blessing Valve Trombone
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Oddeyez
Regular Member


Joined: 20 Apr 2006
Posts: 21
Location: Sweden

PostPosted: Tue Jan 22, 2019 1:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Seeing that no one so far has answered my post,
I feel the need to reprase it:

Have anyone of you out there tried Lotus mouthpieces, and is there any validity to Mr Rapa's claim that they are so fantastic, or is this most smoke and mirrors, so to speak?

I am interested since I am considering buying one. Although they are expensive and I doubt that they come with a trial period.

Sincerely,

Michael in Sweden
_________________
Black lacquered Jupiter Pocket Trumpet
Silver plated Calicchio 3/9 trumpet from the mid 80's
Blessing Valve Trombone
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
LSOfanboy
Veteran Member


Joined: 08 Jul 2018
Posts: 347

PostPosted: Tue Jan 22, 2019 1:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I don't think many people have had a chance to try them yet. A colleague of mine sent an email asking to buy a couple and, although they replied to his initial response he hasn't heard back from them since.

Personally I am also interested in trying the mouthpieces too, but had banked on waiting for my colleague to receive his and have a go on those. So he is not the only one waiting impatiently...
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
dstpt
Heavyweight Member


Joined: 14 Dec 2005
Posts: 1272

PostPosted: Tue Jan 22, 2019 8:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have a local friend that will be getting a couple Lotus mpcs with a new Lotus 140 B-flat trumpet, which should arrive this week. As soon as they do and I get a chance, I'll try to post here. He already owns one Lotus B-flat and plans to try his hand as a distributor. A few other horns should arrive within 2-3 months, including a 4-valve B-flat. With each I think they are sending mpcs, but I'm not sure how he has that set up with Lotus.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
O00Joe
Veteran Member


Joined: 04 Sep 2004
Posts: 364
Location: Houston & Austin, Texas

PostPosted: Tue Jan 22, 2019 10:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

So they supposedly have "equal tempered" octaves. The only point of real difference from other mouthpieces as far as I can discern from the available info is something with the backbore, no specifics however.

Off topic but the info videos are reeeeally hard to watch. Knee slapping between every sentence, lotsa hand waving, explosive nose breathing, superfluous superlatives, and #stimulants
_________________
1981 Bb Bach Stradivarius 37/25 ML raw - Laskey 60C
2003 C Bach Stradivarius 239/25A L silver - Stork Vacchiano 4C25C
2006 Bb/A Schilke Piccolo P5-4 silver - Reeves A adaptor - Stork SM SP6
Akai MPC Live II
Roland JD-Xi
Casio MT-68
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
PW-Factor
Heavyweight Member


Joined: 19 Mar 2009
Posts: 909
Location: Joliet, IL

PostPosted: Thu Jan 24, 2019 5:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have a feeling that they won't work for everyone. Anytime somebody says their equipment is "the easiest to play", to me that says that the player has to be supremely efficient in their playing approach to maximize the benefit. I use a lot more lip intrusion and chop energy than many, and likely more than I should. I took a long lesson around New Year trying to focus on diaphragm compression and soft chops (the Bergeron / Ingram model, I guess), but after 20 years of playing, trying to learn a completely new way to play a reliable forte High C is just so daunting when you have a busy playing schedule.

I have tried a handful of Monettes, and never got them to work for me. They preach about things like "less energy" and "even octaves" and such, so I imagine that personally, the Lotus wouldn't work for me, either.
_________________
Ska/Reggae - The Selectones
New Orleans Funk - The Big Lagniappe

Raw Brass HB2 - Hammond PW
Gen II ACB Doubler Flugel - Curry 5FL
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
BraeGrimes
Veteran Member


Joined: 14 Apr 2011
Posts: 269
Location: Australia

PostPosted: Thu Jan 24, 2019 9:44 pm    Post subject: Re: Experiences regarding the new Lotus mouthpieces? Reply with quote

Oddeyez wrote:
"If something seems to good to be true, it probably is..."


Nailed it. No mouthpiece will fix everything like the claims.

Plus model:
"Truly Equal-Tempered Octaves, for people who want the most effortless playing experience possible" - why would you offer anything other than that???

Look, they may be good, but for 200 Euros???? Pfffffffffttttt...
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
TrptSTP
Veteran Member


Joined: 25 Apr 2008
Posts: 378
Location: Toledo, OH

PostPosted: Fri Jan 25, 2019 10:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

O00Joe wrote:
So they supposedly have "equal tempered" octaves. The only point of real difference from other mouthpieces as far as I can discern from the available info is something with the backbore, no specifics however.

Off topic but the info videos are reeeeally hard to watch. Knee slapping between every sentence, lotsa hand waving, explosive nose breathing, superfluous superlatives, and #stimulants


I thought that you were exaggerating until I watched a few of those videos and checked out the website. I hope that he is ok. Yikes.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
O00Joe
Veteran Member


Joined: 04 Sep 2004
Posts: 364
Location: Houston & Austin, Texas

PostPosted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 10:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yea, I appreciate excitement but holy moly! Taking a page out of Bernstein's book perhaps?

And hey, I'm not saying I'm some sort of saint, I've "been around the block". It's just kinda funny. (Yet grating...)
_________________
1981 Bb Bach Stradivarius 37/25 ML raw - Laskey 60C
2003 C Bach Stradivarius 239/25A L silver - Stork Vacchiano 4C25C
2006 Bb/A Schilke Piccolo P5-4 silver - Reeves A adaptor - Stork SM SP6
Akai MPC Live II
Roland JD-Xi
Casio MT-68
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
JayKosta
Heavyweight Member


Joined: 24 Dec 2018
Posts: 3274
Location: Endwell NY USA

PostPosted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 11:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Is having "equal tempered" octaves something new for wind instruments?
From the Lotus website, it seems this means the octaves are somewhat larger (stretched) as the pitch gets higher - which I think is the standard for 'piano tuning'.

I understand that making it easier to 'play in tune' in the upper register is desirable, and a good selling point. But is equal tempered octaves the real answer?

Are other brands/types of mouthpieces known for their ability (or lack) for this?

Jay
_________________
Most Important Note ? - the next one !
KNOW (see) what the next note is BEFORE you have to play it.
PLAY the next note 'on time' and 'in rhythm'.
Oh ya, watch the conductor - they set what is 'on time'.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
mm55
Heavyweight Member


Joined: 01 Jul 2013
Posts: 1410

PostPosted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 1:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

JayKosta wrote:
Is having "equal tempered" octaves something new for wind instruments?

"Equal tempered octaves" would appear to be meaningless marketing hype. Temperament, as used to describe tuning systems, does not apply to octaves. Piano tunings are "stretched" because of the inherent inharmonicity of vibrating strings. That's not relevant to trumpets, nor is it considered "temperament."
_________________
'75 Bach Strad 180ML/37
'79 King Silver Flair
'07 Flip Oakes Wild Thing
'42 Selmer US
'90 Yamaha YTR6450S(C)
'12 Eastman ETR-540S (D/Eb)
'10 Carol CPT-300LR pkt
'89 Yamaha YCR2330S crnt
'13 CarolBrass CFL-6200-GSS-BG flg
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
yctrumpet
Regular Member


Joined: 21 Mar 2018
Posts: 12

PostPosted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 2:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've heard some good things about the mouthpiece. Last week, I had the chance to talk to Mr. Huw Morgan when he was on tour in the states. (his recital is a must-go, top-notch playing). He said the mouthpiece Lotus makes is excellent, it may or may not be your cup of tea, but he said it definitely worths to try out if there is a chance.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Oddeyez
Regular Member


Joined: 20 Apr 2006
Posts: 21
Location: Sweden

PostPosted: Thu Jan 31, 2019 1:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've decide to try out a mouthpiece made by the Swiss maker Michael Brand.
Expecting one in the mail right now.

/Michael

Well, I was not satisfied with the Michael Brand mouthpiece. Someting with having plastic against my lips felt strange to me.

I think I'll skip venturing out on mouthpiece safaris for the time being. I play a Laskey 60S together with a Denis Wick booster, wich is a set-up that I am happy with. If it ain't broke, don't fix it...

/Michael
_________________
Black lacquered Jupiter Pocket Trumpet
Silver plated Calicchio 3/9 trumpet from the mid 80's
Blessing Valve Trombone


Last edited by Oddeyez on Mon Feb 11, 2019 9:49 am; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Brad361
Heavyweight Member


Joined: 16 Dec 2007
Posts: 7080
Location: Houston, TX.

PostPosted: Wed Feb 06, 2019 10:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Deleted.
_________________
When asked if he always sounds great:
"I always try, but not always, because the horn is merciless, unpredictable and traitorous." - Arturo Sandoval


Last edited by Brad361 on Wed Feb 06, 2019 8:10 pm; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
LSOfanboy
Veteran Member


Joined: 08 Jul 2018
Posts: 347

PostPosted: Wed Feb 06, 2019 10:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I wonder if someone who has actually TRIED these new mouthpieces might comment?

As much as I agree with many people's sentiment regarding the marketing; the thread is about how these mouthpieces play, not our collective opinions on the ad campaign. If you haven't blown them, then I don't totally understand the need to post replies in the thread.

All the best
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
wiemelen
Veteran Member


Joined: 08 Aug 2007
Posts: 451
Location: Belgium

PostPosted: Thu Feb 07, 2019 3:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

LSOfanboy wrote:
I wonder if someone who has actually TRIED these new mouthpieces might comment?

As much as I agree with many people's sentiment regarding the marketing; the thread is about how these mouthpieces play, not our collective opinions on the ad campaign. If you haven't blown them, then I don't totally understand the need to post replies in the thread.

All the best

Can only agree with this post
There was a Workshop with Adam Rapa in The Netherlands last weekend.
So people had the chance to try them out.
A Dutch professional is currently trying them out on several trumpets (b,c,d,e and piccolo). He indicated he will be posting his review, including some sound samples, soon. I'll keep an eye out for it and post a link when it comes available.
_________________
Trumpet : Yamaha YTR-9335CHS + Yamaha YTR-6335H
Trumpet mouthpieces : Lotus 2L2 (main) + Lotus 2L
Flugelhorn : Kanstul 1525 with Curry 1,5FL
Cornet : Conn 80a (1919) with Curry 1,5 BBC + Curry 1,5 VC + GR L66,9 #6
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
scottfsmith
Veteran Member


Joined: 27 Jun 2015
Posts: 472
Location: Maryland

PostPosted: Thu Feb 07, 2019 9:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I would be very curious what the throats and backbores look like on these. My at-a-distance impression is both Lotus and Donat are new mouthpiece makers using Monette-style backbores: wide throat, highly conical backbore and shorter overall length. I watched one of the Lotus videos and it even sounded like the same talking points as Monette's. They also have two models, Plus and Standard, which sounds analogous to Prana and non-Prana.

Note I'm not dissing either of these makers -- "good artists copy, great artists steal"
_________________
Thane Standard Large Bb / Monette Unity B6-7M mpc
Lots of vintage trumpets and mouthpieces
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
TaylorBarnett80
Veteran Member


Joined: 11 Jul 2004
Posts: 188

PostPosted: Wed Mar 13, 2019 7:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I ordered a Lotus 2M+ in annealed brass, a couple of days after their announcement back in January. My sense from the ordering process is that they are a very small (2 person, or so) operation. I had an initial question that I submitted through the website and I received a helpful answer within a day. I then ordered the mouthpiece on their website and got an automatic confirmation email that my order had gone through and would be processed.

Then I didn't hear anything else from them for a week, about shipping, so I emailed them and got a reply that they were shipping it out that day (a week after the order). It shipped from Switzerland and took two weeks to arrive (3 weeks after ordering), which was expected.

The mouthpiece is very well-made. The throat and shank are perfectly centered and round, and the design is quite attractive. I have been playing a Monette Silver 4, which is in their LT blank, and the Lotus mouthpiece is shaped very similarly, but is slightly lighter in weight (mostly due to less mass on the rim).

I have not measured it, but the throat looks to be slightly larger than a standard 27, but not as big as my Monette Silver 4, which is a 22. I'd ballpark it at a 24 or 25.

The mouthpiece plays very well. I like the intonation on my Monette, and this feels very similar. The articulation is a little crisper and cleaner on the Lotus. The tone is hard to compare between the two, as the Lotus is a little bit shallower (which is why I wanted it), so it is obviously a little brighter.

Regarding the sizing, I find the rim to feel slightly larger than the measurement they provide on their website would lead me to expect. I realize that the contour has a lot to do with that, and not all makers measure their rims at the same point. They list the 2 rim as being 0.460", which would make it the same as a Warburton 4, however it feels larger than that, by about half a "size." I kind of wish I'd gotten the 3 rim instead, but alas...

The M cup is exactly what they describe it as. I'd compare it to the Warburton M cup or the Bach D cup, or the Monette LDS1 cup.

One thing I like better about the Lotus 2M versus the Monette B4LDS1 is that the alpha angle, or under cut, is a little steeper on the Lotus, making the articulation a little cleaner, and less prone to bottoming out. The Monette B4LDS1 feels more like a Schilke 14A4 in how the rim enters the cup, which I don't prefer.

I hope this info helps!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
wohlrab
Veteran Member


Joined: 30 Mar 2015
Posts: 131
Location: California

PostPosted: Mon Mar 25, 2019 11:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Has anyone else had any experiences on these pieces yet?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
ianmcarey
New Member


Joined: 18 Sep 2002
Posts: 8
Location: Richmond, CA

PostPosted: Fri Jul 05, 2019 5:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

In case anyone's still paying attention here: I bought a 2L+ in brass (was using a Monette B3FS7, the Rapa model, previously)--the 2 rim is slightly narrower than the comparable Monette pieces (according to the Lotus comparison chart)--actually between a Bach 1.5 and 2 width. Maybe because of this the mouthpiece felt a little "tight" in the upper register for me. (The bore is also smaller than the Prana mouthpieces--thankfully!--but the thickness of the metal at the end of the shank sort of splits the difference between standard Monette and Prana.) After giving it a month or so I decided to keep the same rim diameter but go for the next deeper cup, the XL. They suggested trying the Nickel silver variety to compensate for the depth a little (the nickel ones are supposed to be slightly more focused sound-wise). I ended up loving the 2XL+N--cup is super-comfortable, sound was richer AND more open in the upper register. I don't see changing anything for the foreseeable future! (Famous last words.) I do wish they offered gold plate, though.

(Oh, and my understanding is they'll do returns as long as you keep it pristine.)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    trumpetherald.com Forum Index -> Mouthpieces All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Goto page 1, 2, 3  Next
Page 1 of 3

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group