I have just acquired one, it's exactly the same as the one you have. Except? It has 'B2' stamped about a centimetre above the ff - MADE IN ENGLAND -ff ... 😊
Bird was in Paris for the 1949 jazz festival..was this before the "Bird with Strings"date? Also I'm sure he met up with a few British players and I am sure I heard that John Dankworth loaned him an alto..speculation I know. 😂
Also, I don't believe that these mouthpieces were originally gold plated? Mine was tarnished, and I used some silver polish on it, and it's now 98% like brand new! Super shiny! 😊
@@adysaxman77 the ones that were sold as a retail product were most definitely gold plated. Some were unfinished and made their way into the hands of players
I Have Ted Klum´s Metal alto in an 8. It is unbelievably good. I wish he would do the tenor. When you played it on the Balanced it sounded so soulful. Don Menza has both the alto and tenor. Get it copied. I really dug the sound!
There are so many Mark VI's out there and many examples in museums (Coltrane's at the Smithsonian for example) I really wouldn't be worried about playing it unless you're concerned about traveling with it- planes are an absolute nightmare these days :/
I have just acquired one, it's exactly the same as the one you have. Except? It has 'B2' stamped about a centimetre above the ff - MADE IN ENGLAND -ff ... 😊
@@adysaxman77 congrats on the pickup!
Bird was in Paris for the 1949 jazz festival..was this before the "Bird with Strings"date?
Also I'm sure he met up with a few British players and I am sure I heard that John Dankworth loaned him an alto..speculation I know. 😂
That's super cool lore! Appreciate you sharing!
Also, I don't believe that these mouthpieces were originally gold plated? Mine was tarnished, and I used some silver polish on it, and it's now 98% like brand new! Super shiny! 😊
@@adysaxman77 the ones that were sold as a retail product were most definitely gold plated. Some were unfinished and made their way into the hands of players
I Have Ted Klum´s Metal alto in an 8. It is unbelievably good. I wish he would do the tenor. When you played it on the Balanced it sounded so soulful. Don Menza has both the alto and tenor. Get it copied. I really dug the sound!
I've talked to Ted about it.... we'll see!
I had one of these. It reminded me of a Yanagisawa metal mouthpiece. It looks cool but it played dull for me. I sounded pretty much like you do on it.
There's nothing dull about how this sounds to my ear- feel free to post a link to a play test!
This is partly why don’t want a mint condition Mark VI I’d feel like I needed to preserve it instead of play it.
There are so many Mark VI's out there and many examples in museums (Coltrane's at the Smithsonian for example) I really wouldn't be worried about playing it unless you're concerned about traveling with it- planes are an absolute nightmare these days :/
@@SHORESAX I’d rather have a great players mark VI that looks like it’s been to war with a recent mechanical rebuild over any of them.
@@benhostetler268 play what you love! condition is the only thing you can't put back into a horn
Have it duplicated. If Ted did it, I would want it.
I totally agree- I would love to own a pair for alto and tenor!
Ask yourself, why was this piece made ? Also, how are you going to wear it out ? Why deny the world of such a sound ???
Very true- decided I'm going to sell, I'd rather not own something of this level of rarity/value as a front line piece. Super hard call!
@@SHORESAX did you end up selling yours?