Marcinkiewicz 9 vs 9B

[claf]

My small bore mouthpiece is a Marcinkiewicz 9B (Bob Stroup model).
I'm looking for something shallower (not lead-shallow, but more C-cupped than the 9B).
Looking at Marcinkiewicz specs, the model 9 seems to be the right fit (same ID, less cup depth), but I don't have that much faith in measurement charts, especially Marcinkiewicz's ones.

Have someone tried them both?

[Rusty]

I owned both for a while, and they are very different. The 9B feels much bigger at the rim and with a much deeper cup. There’s not really much else out there I’ve come across like that piece, would be great as a jazz piece but I found it too deep for more lead type work.

The 9 was great, a really nice match for a .508 horn imo. Reminded me a lot of a good Bach 9. It’s still not quite zingy enough for real power lead stuff, but would do really well as an all rounder. Nice fat sound and easy over the full range.

If you’re looking for more of a lead ‘C’ cup type piece, the Marc 11C is great, bigger than most 11Cs out there and nice and free blowing. I’m selling one of these if you’re interested.

[Cmillar]

I knew Bob Stroup when he was alive and living in Edmonton and would do some gigs with him, driving up from Calgary and staying with him once in awhile.

Bob said that he wanted a mouthpiece that he could handle what he wanted and needed. He was also doubling on Tenor Sax a lot for casual/society gigs, and he just wanted a mouthpiece that he could pick and play 'instantly' on his horn.

It's a big rim, and huge cup. But...hey...it sure worked for Bob! One of the most amazing, inventive jazz players one could ever hear!

[claf]

I'm not looking for something smaller, I like the rim diameter and just want something shallower (I already have 11c/12c mouthpieces and they do not work for me).

@Cmillar: that mouthpiece is just too good. As long as you don't want a piercing sound, it can do it all. I'm no Bob Stroup, but it just feels the same to me: after playing trumpet or bass trombone I can just pickup the small bore with this mouthpiece and it works perfectly fine.

[Joebone]

Not really playing these days, but have explored Marcinkiewicz mouthpieces, with a used 9B as my entry drug for .508, .512, and .525 horns. Loved the velvet and depth of the 9B, but found 9B-S and 9 to be better for me - more endurance, quicker and snappier attacks, more timbral range on the brighter side. If taking one to a desert island, it would probably be the 9B-S.

[Grahambone]

The Model 9, Model 9B and Model 4 all have the same rim. They are all similar to a Bach 4G rim inner diameter.

The Model 9B is almost like a flugelhorn mouthpiece design. Deep V cup with a soft throat entrance.

The Model 9 is a great and should fit the bill for what you are looking for. If you find it too shallow, the Model 4 comes in a small shank.

Graham

[claf]

Thanks Graham, I was about to send you an email
I'll give a try to the model 9.
Isn't the model 4 deeper than the 9B ?

[Grahambone]

I am always happy to answer Marcinkiewicz questions, but I am no longer at the shop.

Yes, it is deeper, but has a more standard cup shape. I find the deep V of the 9B hard to get any kind of pop or clarity on. Everything just feels soft. The cup shape of the Model 4 is more balanced for me.

Also, those cup depths are a little approximate. You can always email Yasha and ask for a CAD over lay of different mouthpieces. For instance, I have this one of the 12C, 11C, 7C models. I think the Marcinkiewicz mouthpieces are great, but they are not designed as a progressive linear series, they are more like a set of individual custom designs.