Description
I think that the vintage Meyer Bros and M.C. Gregory alto mouthpieces are probably the best playing alto mouthpieces ever made. There are lots of Meyer-inspired pieces, but not many MC Gregory-inspired ones. This piece, made by hand by Phil Engleman of Phil-Tone Custom Woodwinds is modeled on the M.C. Gregory Model A alto mouthpiece that got Paul Desmond that signature “dry martini sound.” To do it the Desmond way would require a smaller tip opening than this and a stiff reed, but you can still get a similar tone and a lot more volume than Desmond on this piece. Phil’s website describes the Aurora thus: ” The Solstice harkens to the days of the “West Coast” school of sound, made famous by such greats as Art Pepper, Lee Konitz, and Paul Desmond. The sounds and styles of these greats inspired the creation of this mouthpiece. The Solstice has a rich core and a full harmonic palate, while also possessing a lively and lyrical quality. There have been several modern attempts to approach the West Coast sound but the majority leave the player with a stuffy, dull, and resistant piece. The Solstice plays open, full, and with ease. Its responsive, ringing, centered tone provides a unique avenue towards expression and opens the door to new possibilities. From flowing bossa novas, to the jazz quartet standards, to a beautiful, lyrical, emotional ballad…the Solstice does it all.”
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