Help ID Purviance Mouthpiece?

[Surcouf]

A Purviance mouthpiece came along with a 1930s King Liberty I bought from eBay. I am interested to learn more about it. It is in pretty good shape apart from a small area of damage on the rim.

It is marked "PURVIANCE LOS ANGELES" on the outside of the cup. Below that it is stamped "4*", and further down at the near end of the shank it is stamped "2." The cup is very shallow.

Thanks!

[kehaulani]

You already know some of its parameters. What is it that you specifically want to know?
_________________
"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird

Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Benge 3X Cornet
Adams F-1 Flghn

[giakara]

[Surcouf]

My old Photobucket account is kaput...I'll see if I can pop a photo up.



Just looking for some general info - how old is it likely to be? Is this a relatively common size or something unusual? I know very little about Purviance.

I know that Bob Reeves makes a line of Purviance mouthpieces. Are these, or the older Purviance mouthpieces, still commonly used by professional horn players or is it more of a niche market?

[giakara]

As far I now must be a custom piece , I use to have a 6☆ , I bought it because I hope it was a vintage 6☆3 but it was very different ,I have some old catalogs but never saw that numbers , I don't now what the #2 means , I have see numbers in that place again but I never knew what really means , you must ask at Reeves shop for sure .

Regards
_________________
Lawler TL5-1A Bb 2015
Lawler TL6-1A Bb 2004
Lawler TL5-1A Bb 2003
Getzen eterna 910 C
Getzen eterna 850 cornet
Selmer Paris 3 valve picc
Yamaha 731 flugel
Carol mini pocket
Reeves/Purviance mpcs

[Surcouf]

Interesting, thanks for letting me know. I was wondering about the numbering system - it seems there are "standard" Purviance mouthpieces but also many custom examples?

[kehaulani]

If I were you, if you can't get the answers here, I would just give Bob Reeves a call. He used to work with Purviance. I've found the people at Reeves to be pretty helpful. https://bobreeves.com/contact/
_________________
"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird

Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Benge 3X Cornet
Adams F-1 Flghn

[Surcouf]

Good point.

[Ed Kennedy]

Carol Purviance was known to take his standard models and modify them for individuals without changing the markings. You never really know exactly what you are getting with the originals. I had an original 4*K4 that I got from Michael McGovern (RIP) and it felt larger than the current standard. It is on my regret selling list.

In the standard models there is the 4*K4 (currently #, 42/64 ID, similar to Reeves 42S. There is also the 4*3 (currently #9) at 43/64 ID. Both are a med shallow cup, the rim contours are quite different in my experience. Bottom line, it either works for you or it doesn't.

If anybody can tell you about it it would Bob Reeves himself.

[Surcouf]

That's interesting! So it seems fairly likely that this is a custom mouthpiece.

It's comfortable enough to play, though I am not used to shallow cups (and am not skilled enough to truly take advantage of them).

[Ed Kennedy]

[Surcouf]

I was indeed. With this purviance mouthpiece I find I can reach my upper register with a bit less effort, but slotting is less precise.

[adagiotrumpet]

I agree with the above post that you should contact Reeves Mouthpieces. Bob Reeves worked for Carol Purviance and took over the original shop in Hollywood many years ago. If I am not mistaken, Reeves may still be producing Purviance mouthpieces.