Comparison of old Purviance and Reeves mouthpieces

Still Trying

I just "discovered" an old 4*K4 Purviance that played years ago, and rediscovered just what a nice mouthpiece it is. I see that now the Reeves mouthpiece company markets the old Purviance mouthpieces as a separate product line from Reeves mouthpieces. I have also seen many references to Reeves mouthpieces on different posts on TH.

I've never played a Reeves piece and I'm wondering how they compare as far as playing characteristics go with the Purviance pieces. Any of you folks out there ever played both types of mouthpiece? If so maybe you can help satisfy my curriosity. Thanks.
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S. T.

What do we have that we did not receive, and if we received it, why do we glory, as if we received it not?

dbacon · Heavyweight Member Joined: 11 Nov 2001 Posts: 8592

Play the Purviance! Wish I still had mine, a great mouthpiece.

Sound by the pound!! The 5*K4 worked well for most playing, 4*K4 would light up the band.

Bob's 42 rim is similar, his "S" cup close. 69 backbore, that's pretty much the old 4*K4.
Caroll Purviance used a 27 throat, Bob's is a 28 stock.

BRSpringer · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 7:29 am Post subject:

FWIW: I asked Bob at one of the ITG conferences (1998?) about the Purviance backbore and he replied, "It's somewhere between a 2 and a 692."
I agree, the 4*K4 is a great mouthpiece. I've been playing one since 1981.

dbacon · Heavyweight Member Joined: 11 Nov 2001 Posts: 8592

You know, I lost mine in about 1981......say hi to Jay.......he owes me $$!...

giakara · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 12:45 pm Post subject:

I play Reeves for many years (43S, ES) and last year i try a vintage 4*3 and i fall in love with it , the sound is fantasic and the cup great , for me the best commercial piece ever made my only problems is the the rim , i prefer the Reeves 43 against Purviance 4*3 and the throat , i can play pieces with #28 throat only and the purviance has #27 anyway i order some Reeves/Purviance underparts and i try it for one or two months and now i play again with my old Reeves pieces , i sold my new underparts but i never gonna sell my vintage 4*3 .

Regards
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Reeves/Purviance mpcs

Pocket Monkeys · Heavyweight Member Joined: 22 Nov 2007 Posts: 598

I have, and use, both regularly. I have original CM Purviance mouthpieces labeled 5*3 and 4*3. Also, I have Reeves Purviance RP9 and RP9A. To be completely honest, all four play well. The CM Purviance pieces with the larger shanks seem to gap very well with my Lawler. The Reeves pieces with the Reeves standard blank (5 shank) seem to gap very well my Bach. I've read here and there that CM Purviance pieces were frequently customized without being marked. Also, I've read that the Reeves pieces play differently than the originals. To all of that I say...whatever. Here's my opinion, the four I have play very similiar and very well. I enjoy them greatly.

dbacon · Heavyweight Member Joined: 11 Nov 2001 Posts: 8592

razeontherock · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 8:42 pm Post subject:

You're saying it's the blank that made the sound??

TrumpetAce · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 9:16 pm Post subject:

Believe it! The blank can make ALL the difference in the world.
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TA

TrumpetAce · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 9:31 pm Post subject:

Believe it! The blank can make ALL the difference in the world.
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TA

giakara · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 6:35 am Post subject:

I agree the blank is the only visible different to my eyes and ears betwen the vintage and the new one and the differnce belive me is big.

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

Pocket Monkeys · Heavyweight Member Joined: 22 Nov 2007 Posts: 598

I agree as well. The CM Purviance blank has more mass and a larger shank. The Reeves Purviance (standard) blank has less mass and a standard shank. Variations between mass and gap can make a large difference in the end. Still, I like them both...but if I had to choose, I'd take the CM Purviance.

Still Trying · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 7:55 am Post subject:

If the blank makes that much difference, what is the rational for not using a copy of the old Purviance blank? I mean if all the other dimensions are being replicated, why not replicate the blank also?

I'm almost surprised that there are so few posters on this thread that actually remember the original Purviance pieces. At one time they seemed to be very popular and with good reason. Of course I asked for a comparison between the original Purviance and the Reeves pieces. Maybe there just aren't that many people who have played both.
_________________
S. T.

What do we have that we did not receive, and if we received it, why do we glory, as if we received it not?

Pocket Monkeys · Heavyweight Member Joined: 22 Nov 2007 Posts: 598

Reeves does offer the Purviance blank in a one piece model. However, it's my understanding that because the shop is set up for two piece mouthpiece making that's what they push. It's faster, cheaper, and easier for them to make copies on the Reeves blank. Many large internet stores carry the two piece Reeves Purviance pieces (standard blank) in their regular stock for as little as $99. I ordered a one piece Purviance blank from Reeves sometime ago. I waited 9 weeks for it to arrive and paid much more than $99.

Still, you asked how they compare. My opinion is that the CM Purviance mpcs work well with horns that require a larger gap and the Reeves Purviance work better with horns which require a smaller gap. Obviously, this may not be true for everyone...it's just what I've found.

surfhorn · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 8:09 am Post subject:

I use my 5*K4 with my 1964 Olds Super. Its the horn I leave out on a stand and use to run scales while watching TV. I consider the set up my 'california cool' horn.
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Bach 180S 37 ML, 1970
Kanstul WB1600 (silver)
Olds Super, 1964 w/ C.M. Purviance 5*K4
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Schilke Flugel; Kanstul Flugel
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Pocket Monkeys · Heavyweight Member Joined: 22 Nov 2007 Posts: 598

That's the best post on this thread!

John Mohan · Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2014 9:05 am Post subject:

gbdeamer · Heavyweight Member Joined: 31 Dec 2007 Posts: 2302

giakara · Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2014 1:51 am Post subject:

I bet that John is make a recherch and ivery soon he will hold a Purviance 5*3 , and i am sure after all those years of comvesations that he wlll love it.

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

John Mohan · Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2014 7:15 am Post subject: