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cyber_shake Heavyweight Member
Joined: 16 Jan 2006 Posts: 769
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Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2016 4:27 pm Post subject: Best Brass KAI Groove Mouthpiece |
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Just wondering if anyone has experience with either the Best Brass Groove Mouthpiece or the special KAI model? They are doing some different things compared to traditional mouthpiece design. The multi-length system, determined by cup depth, remind me of Brasswind Research Mouthpieces, but I've never seen anything like the KAI design.
Typically finished in gold, I have opted for silver, as I play with dry chops and prefer silver to the slippery-feeling gold finish.
The KAI model features a unique cup design called the 'accelerator', designed to aid in range.
Here is the text from the Best Brass website:
As described above, ‘Groove' assists the vibration of the lips in all registers, but the 'Accelerator' produces this effect specifically in high registers, and will literally accelerate the vibration, allowing the player to easily add up to a fifth to your range*, all while keeping the rich sound and rim comfort of our C cup. Whether you currently play our mouthpieces or not, you're going to want to give Kai a try!
* we should note that some of our testers were unable to adapt to this unorthodox design, but about three out of four were able to add significantly to their high register. The result is quite surprising even to us!
I just couldn't resist trying one ... so the order has been made. _________________ Blaine
brasshurricane@gmail.com
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Matthew Anklan Heavyweight Member
Joined: 12 Jun 2007 Posts: 1085 Location: Cincinnati
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Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2016 5:44 pm Post subject: Re: Best Brass KAI Groove Mouthpiece |
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cyber_shake wrote: | The multi-length system, determined by cup depth, remind me of Brasswind Research Mouthpieces. |
Don't forget Reeves Dynamic Mass too. I believe those pieces are designed with a similar concept. _________________ Matthew Anklan
www.matthewanklan.com
Patrick Mouthpieces Artist |
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cyber_shake Heavyweight Member
Joined: 16 Jan 2006 Posts: 769
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Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2016 6:32 pm Post subject: Re: Best Brass KAI Groove Mouthpiece |
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Matthew Anklan wrote: | cyber_shake wrote: | The multi-length system, determined by cup depth, remind me of Brasswind Research Mouthpieces. |
Don't forget Reeves Dynamic Mass too. I believe those pieces are designed with a similar concept. |
Text from the Reeves website:
Bob Reeves Dynamic Mass Mouthpieces are built using a formula that determines how the mouthpiece is balanced from the cup depth. This includes the bore, backbore, and overall length.
I haven't played any of Bob's MPs ... thanks for that reminder. _________________ Blaine
brasshurricane@gmail.com
Schagerl LU5A
DaCarbo Unica
Adams A4 LT-S
Adams F1
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cyber_shake Heavyweight Member
Joined: 16 Jan 2006 Posts: 769
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Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2016 5:32 pm Post subject: |
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I received the KAI. It is a very comfortable rim and bite on my chops. Yes, it does add range. Tone is a tad brighter than my current favorite = Yamaha 14B4 GP. My issue is that I have fat lips that swell a bit when I play ... the 'accelerator' makes the cup smaller, so it tends to close down (my lips bottom out), once I've played for a while. Will spend more HTOF / Horn Time On Face to see if I can ultimately use it or not. _________________ Blaine
brasshurricane@gmail.com
Schagerl LU5A
DaCarbo Unica
Adams A4 LT-S
Adams F1
Schagerl PT-200S |
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Locutus2k Heavyweight Member
Joined: 01 Feb 2006 Posts: 635 Location: Rome, Italy
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Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2016 2:28 am Post subject: |
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Does this "Kai" mouthpiece have the "Groove" enhancement, too? Groove enhancement is in the throat. _________________ ------------------------
Edwards X-13
Lawler TL5 Balanced 30th Anniversary (#2 of 5)
Lawler TL5 L bore
Bach NY Special edition 2008
Flugel Van Laar Oiram Ack
Mark Curry mouthpieces
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cyber_shake Heavyweight Member
Joined: 16 Jan 2006 Posts: 769
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Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2016 5:41 pm Post subject: |
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Locutus2k wrote: | Does this "Kai" mouthpiece have the "Groove" enhancement, too? Groove enhancement is in the throat. |
YES! You can see the 'groove' in this pic:
_________________ Blaine
brasshurricane@gmail.com
Schagerl LU5A
DaCarbo Unica
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Adams F1
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JonathanM Heavyweight Member
Joined: 25 Aug 2007 Posts: 2018 Location: Charleston, SC
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Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2016 6:07 pm Post subject: |
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Very interesting - thanks for posting; and your pics are a treat.
I'm a little surprised the initial downsize to the smaller interior cup isn't smooth; I'd think they'd want as little resistance in that area as possible. I'm sure they considered this; is the point addressed in their info? _________________ Jonathan Milam
Trumpets: 18043B, 18043*, 18043 Sterling Silver +, 18037 SterlingSilver+, Benge 4x, Olds: '34 Symphony, '47 Super, '52 Recording
Flugle: Strad 182
Puje: American Belle
Cornet: Olds Recording & Super |
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cyber_shake Heavyweight Member
Joined: 16 Jan 2006 Posts: 769
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Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2016 4:24 pm Post subject: |
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JonathanM wrote: | Very interesting - thanks for posting; and your pics are a treat.
I'm a little surprised the initial downsize to the smaller interior cup isn't smooth; I'd think they'd want as little resistance in that area as possible. I'm sure they considered this; is the point addressed in their info? |
Ah, mouthpiece technology! My Yamaha 14B4-GP has gold plate flowing from the outer rim to the cup, through the interior of the entire shank because of better sonic results. The Romeo Adaci Turbo Bore mouthpieces had a Miller Lite-like vortex rifling cut spinning through the inner throat to spin the air and increase efficiency. And Best Brass thinks a satin cup finish and the Groove treatment results in better playing characteristics. You can read all about 'why' at http://www.bestbrass.com/mouthpiece/ and click on the multiple links to read about all the different technology they utilize. Enjoy reading! _________________ Blaine
brasshurricane@gmail.com
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darksmoke Regular Member
Joined: 27 Apr 2020 Posts: 46 Location: Washington
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Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2021 2:36 am Post subject: |
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cyber_shake wrote: | Will spend more HTOF / Horn Time On Face to see if I can ultimately use it or not. |
Could you say anything in addition to the mouthpiece now some years down the road? Or was it not exactly what they make it out to be in all regards?
Thank you for any response given
I have to admit, I'm also interested in the physics behind their pieces quite a bit _________________ Bach 1B
-Reeves 40ES DM
-Giardinelli 4*
-Callet SC6 |
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deleted_user_687c31b New Member
Joined: 03 Apr 1996 Posts: 0
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Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2021 5:25 am Post subject: |
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I've played a Best Brass Groove 7E for a while...didn't know they had any 'special physics features' though, so in hindsight I might be a good testcase with less 'placebo effect'.
The mouthpiece played well in the upper register, but it was a very 'screamish' piece (it was a struggle blending in with the section on the more classical passages, but for rock/funk at FFF it was great). It did have a kinda raw jazzy sound I really liked, but ultimately I didn't feel it gave me an increased range or anything (at least, not much more than my current lead piece). It was also very shallow (almost flat) and very, very heavy. And switching between mouthpieces during a gig was really tough.
That was my experience though, ymmv. |
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cyber_shake Heavyweight Member
Joined: 16 Jan 2006 Posts: 769
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Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2021 5:57 am Post subject: |
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darksmoke wrote: | cyber_shake wrote: | Will spend more HTOF / Horn Time On Face to see if I can ultimately use it or not. |
Could you say anything in addition to the mouthpiece now some years down the road? Or was it not exactly what they make it out to be in all regards?
Thank you for any response given
I have to admit, I'm also interested in the physics behind their pieces quite a bit |
I tried it off and on over a year and a half, then sold it. As noted by me and others, the tone was very bright = too much for my liking. I continued to have issues with my flattish lips puffing after a short time playing, which closed down the cup and I couldn't play it. That is my issue for using too much pressure ... but that is my reality. _________________ Blaine
brasshurricane@gmail.com
Schagerl LU5A
DaCarbo Unica
Adams A4 LT-S
Adams F1
Schagerl PT-200S |
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