what's your experience with Karl Hammond pieces?

chef8489

I have been playing Lotus pieces for past year or 2, but get really frustrated with them with an issue i have talked about before. The issue is when I start to get tired they become pretty unplayable for me. I bought a Kanstul monette copy to try the other day from Jack, and of course that didn't work for me. First it was far more airy than the lotus pieces and I didn't feel I has the same core sound, then had the same issue with being tired.

I have been taking lessons lately and it is suggested I switch back to a traditional mouthpiece as they are more forgiving to playing with tension when tired and this is most likely my issue. I'll most likely be giving up a bit of the slotting and intonation precision and ease I l9ve of the lotus when I am on, but when I start to get tired it won't be as much of a an effect on my sound and frustration because I can't play.

I have heard good things about the Hammond designs mouthpieces and would l9ve to hear your experience. I talked to Karl a couple of times about this issue and got his recommendations. I then put my Kanstul m-b4 mouthpiece up for sale then got an offer for a trade for a brand new Hammond 4mlh piece and took uo the trade offer.
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kehaulani · Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2022 12:23 pm Post subject:

So, if you've got one on the way, why not give it a good try and then answer for yourself?
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chef8489 · Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2022 12:33 pm Post subject:

kehaulani · Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2022 12:43 pm Post subject:

chef8489 · Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2022 12:49 pm Post subject:

Dayton · Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2022 1:22 pm Post subject:

I played a Hammond 4ML for a while. It was my transition piece from Monette back to more conventional design. No complaints. I ultimately moved from Hammond to Pickett because I really liked the acrylic tops option and found the rim/cup at least as comfortable.

chef8489 · Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2022 1:27 pm Post subject:

Hack001 · Heavyweight Member Joined: 20 Jun 2004 Posts: 1685

Karl is great and his mouthpieces are great. He has a ton of options and will work with you to find a great fit. I’ve found his pieces to be comfortable, have a great sound, and consistent articulations and intonation. He’s one of the good guys in the industry. Good luck and have fun on your new mouthpiece!
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Halflip · Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2022 6:08 pm Post subject:

I currently play the Hammond ML design sized to a custom 6.5 diameter (halfway between the Hammond 6 and 7). I have both trumpet and and cornet versions, as well as some other custom designs using the rim. They provide an excellent combination of tone, intonation, articulation, and comfort. Karl is really onto something with his cup design; it performs the way his website describes it.

I like the rim design so well that I had Mark Curry match it to his FLM, TF, and Conn short-shank cornet designs.

Karl Hammond has an impressive mastery of mouthpiece design, and he's an incredibly nice guy as well. He told me that he particularly likes consulting with players to find mouthpiece design solutions that meet their needs. His custom work is not cheap, but worth every penny.
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chef8489 · Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2022 10:06 am Post subject:

Got the mouthpiece in today. So far love the sound, but might be slightly too big. I know I need to spend a lot more time with it. Wish I had a 5mlh to compare with it, but I know a bach 3c was too small in the past.
_________________
Current horns
2023 Bach 19072G/43 pipe with 1st trigger
1966 H.N. White King Silver Flair
1965 H.N. White King Super 20 Sllversonic Symphony 1st trigger

Halflip · Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2022 10:38 am Post subject:

I've noticed that Hammond pieces tend to feel a little big because the inner part of the rim seems to 'fall away' a bit (this is before you reach the bite/undercut. I imagine this is to give the lip more freedom to vibrate.

I would try playing your mouthpiece for a while before drawing any final conclusions.
_________________
"He that plays the King shall be welcome . . . " (Hamlet Act II, Scene 2, Line 1416)

"He had no concept of the instrument. He was blowing into it." -- Virgil Starkwell's cello teacher in "Take the Money and Run"

chef8489 · Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2022 10:41 am Post subject:

kevin_soda · Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2022 2:29 pm Post subject:

Hammond makes excellent mouthpieces. I've really enjoyed the sound of every one I've played. However, for me, I can't play intone as easily as my Monette pieces.
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brassmoose · Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2022 10:30 pm Post subject:

I have been on a mouthpiece safari for about the past 9 months--mainly for a lead piece, a more versatile sounding lead, and a jazz piece. Over the past 3 months I found myself gravitating towards the Hammond, Reeves, and James New lines. I have (for now, ha!) settled down into a Hammond 3 with a threaded rim (great work by Matt Frost) and a James New W5 rim. I threaded the Hammond 3S for lead (and the versatile lead) and threaded a Hammond 3MV for jazz.

The Hammond rims are great, but I enjoy the wider & hair flatter W rims from James New. Matt Frost had to blend the cup a bit to make it match the rim as the Hamm 3 is a tad smaller than the W5 (the Hamm 3 is IMHO like a Reeves 43).

The 3S, for a lead piece, really flows & has a nice full big & not overly bright sound. I can solo on it & not sound like a buzzing bee or tin can. The 3MV is more dark and fat(?) while providing flexibility. Both are #27 throats, so no worries about the Monette throat issues.

I have an unaltered 3ML that I like but haven't touched it in a month or two as I've focused on the 3S and 3MV. I also have an unaltered 3MB that is a slightly brighter version of the 3MV and with the #3bb it blows a little freer & bigger. Not sure if I'll use it, but it's there. I've toyed with playing in a NoLa style brass band & the 3ML would be great for that.

The Hammond blanks are a bit heavier than the average blank, weighing in at around 100mg (my Bach 1.5C weighs in at 93, for reference). The heavier blank means they will project more & be a little less friendly to close mic-ing. But Karl works a lot with marching corps, so projection is the game. The heavier blank contributes to the darker sound for sure, but not like a Monette would. I am selling my Monette & Monette copies.

On the other side, I have a James New W5S (a #27 and #2

that I use for lead playing that requires a brighter sound and/or more endurance, especially when I need to solo less. James' mouthpieces play great, too. Highly recommended. I also have a W5MS that I'll use when endurance is less of an issue. I would say the Hammond 3S is a tad deeper feeling than the New 5S (like a Reeves M cup?) but still can really zing.

The Hammonds are priced decently and Dillon ships quickly, so I go through them. His custom work seems to have long lead times, so I have gone to other folks for custom work, but I have pondered ordering a 3MV with a #3bb.

I should also add that I have a Hammond 4S top that someone cut. It loses a lot of the weight in the backbore so it plays differently. It's too small for me, but I keep it around for the occasionally screaming passage or extended High G recording session. I have paired it with a James New T backbore & it plays quite nicely. Good rim & good tone.

I hope something in there is useful.

Cheers,
- Moose

chef8489 · Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2022 10:41 pm Post subject:

I have been playing on it for a little over 10 days and really loving it. I live how I'm sounding on it and thinking it is about the right size, but would still like to give a 5mlh a try. I put my lotus pieces up for sale on Facebook, but need to throw them up on here as well.
_________________
Current horns
2023 Bach 19072G/43 pipe with 1st trigger
1966 H.N. White King Silver Flair
1965 H.N. White King Super 20 Sllversonic Symphony 1st trigger

jwilliamson77 · Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2022 5:32 pm Post subject: Hammond design

I have recently moved over to Hammond Mouthpieces in the last 6 months. Specifically the 5 series - i play the 5mv, 5mb, and 5s. These are the most amazing mouthpieces ive played on and i have played and tested LOTS from all brands - usually in the 3c size range, in trying to get a complimentary piece for my B1 which i acquired 12 months ago.
I recently moved to the 5s for lead work from a Marcinkiewicz Chuck Findlay which i played for 27 years. Finally with the 5s i have a lead piece which is pretty close to the other 5s in rim size. The reason i say pretty close is that the mv, mv and s rims all do feel a little different, though are technically the same rim. I may be wrong but perhaps it is because these are all handmade pieces, so have subtle differences. None-the-less they are all excellent for what I use them for
5mv - classical for a broader darker sound - centered and strong
5mb - classical, jazz and commercial, its a c cup - its flexible and a brighter sound
5s - for lead i can play all day - its a beautiful sound though, not harsh - this could be played on piccolo id say.

Finally - the mouthpiece searches come to an end...
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delano · Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2022 6:52 pm Post subject: Re: Hammond design

chef8489 · Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2022 7:00 pm Post subject: Re: Hammond design

juanc · Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2023 9:21 am Post subject:

I was wondering about this Hammond pieces for awhile, I've heard a lot of good things about it. I play an equivalent to a Bach 5D so I guess in this brand could be something like a 6S? I would like to know about the rim on this S cup? is it flat, round, etc?
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