Dr. Young Mouthpiece

[tobysima`]

I saw some threads on the old place about Dr. Fred Young's mouthpiece(s). I saw there were two types, both highly unique, and @Rick Denney said that the mouthpiece is the opposite of the PT-48, if I recall correctly. Just curious about something "different," I guess.

[Jperry1466]

I own one of his mouthpieces. The man has to have lungs of steel to play it. It looks like and plays like a funnel. For me, it was about the same as blowing in a goldfish bowl I met him many years ago and remember him talking about not liking "resistance" and boring out the throat and backbore until he was happy with it. Here it is pictured between an old Bach 18 and a Helleberg clone.

[tobysima`]

I own one of his mouthpieces. The man has to have lungs of steel to play it. It looks like and plays like a funnel. For me, it was about the same as blowing in a goldfish bowl I met him many years ago and remember him talking about not liking "resistance" and boring out the throat and backbore until he was happy with it. Here it is pictured between an old Bach 18 and a Helleberg clone.

It's massive!! It's basically a sized up french horn mouthpiece? I do want to get myself one, if that's the case!

[Mithosphere]

I have one of the newer models, from a batch made in the early 2000s. Dr. Young didn't like what Reynolds did to his design, so he made some of his own and found it to be better. I think Wessex Tubas had a run of his mouthpiece as well.

[tobysima`]

I have one of the newer models, from a batch made in the early 2000s. Dr. Young didn't like what Reynolds did to his design, so he made some of his own and found it to be better. I think Wessex Tubas had a run of his mouthpiece as well.

The Wessex 4y is a Dr. Young euph mouthpiece, correct? Where could I find a Dr. Young?

[Mithosphere]

I have one of the newer models, from a batch made in the early 2000s. Dr. Young didn't like what Reynolds did to his design, so he made some of his own and found it to be better. I think Wessex Tubas had a run of his mouthpiece as well.

The Wessex 4y is a Dr. Young euph mouthpiece, correct? Where could I find a Dr. Young?

This must have been a year or two ago, but they had them temporarily on their website for the tuba.

[tobysima`]

This must have been a year or two ago, but they had them temporarily on their website for the tuba.

How good are they?

[LargeTuba]

There was one on eBay about a month ago. I think I remember it selling for $300.

[Rick Denney]

Fred Young designed different mouthpieces, but his fundamental question was common to all of them—why have a backbore at all?

Well, I can think of a few reasons. Without any mouthpiece resistance, the instrument’s input impedance drops so low that it requires a higher “current” to drive it. That means more air power to sustain a buzz—like free buzzing.

Rick “whereas the PT48 and most of Joe’s mouthpieces provide useful resistance, improving clarity and efficiency” Denney

[tobysima`]

Fred Young designed different mouthpieces, but his fundamental question was common to all of them—why have a backbore at all?

Well, I can think of a few reasons. Without any mouthpiece resistance, the instrument’s input impedance drops so low that it requires a higher “current” to drive it. That means more air power to sustain a buzz—like free buzzing.

Rick “whereas the PT48 and most of Joe’s mouthpieces provide useful resistance, improving clarity and efficiency” Denney

Which of his mouthpieces would be the "best?" I want to play a lot of different mouthpieces so I can experience all of the different things between them. Also on my list are the Loud LM-12 and the PT-48. I'm all set on the PT-50, as the Wessex Chuck is like a combo of that and a Helleberg (from what I've heard, at least). I just bought one and I can't wait to play it.

[grayax]

Which is the best? Which ever works best for your instrument and you. I use a Conn 7B Helleberg for my small Eb, a RT-36 for my 1241, and a JC Custom Ultra 35 (i.e. a 35 mm) for the 6/4s I mess around with a work. Is playing three different sized mouthpieces a good idea? Probably not, but I'm bot a professional and I am not in any ensemble, so it doesn't matter to me. You should find the one that works best for you with your instrument.

[bort2.0]

I tried one a few years ago, when I visited Paul Mayberry (how is HE doing? Haven't heard from him in a long time!)

I did not like this mouthpiece at all. No exaggeration, I didn't like a single thing about it.

Spend your money on something modern and more useful. I don't personally like stainless steel mouthpieces, but bloke has designed a heckuva mouthpiece, and that would easily be worth more than a Dr. Young whatever...

"Rare for a reason..."

[humBell]

Note to self...

Post something here.

I have played a bit with a Dr. Young mouthpiece. It was unbranded. I don't know what it says about it or me as a player, but the most telling comment i got on a large sousaphone when i was futzing around before a parade was that it sounded like a synth. So, rock steady and invariant, or perhaps expressionless. My impression also with that one in particular is that i could get a very similar tone despite jumping octaves.

It did draw an awful lot of breath early on, but i think one gets better at dealing with it. Not really sure what i mean, so i'll think about it...

[tobysima`]

Note to self...

Post something here.

I have played a bit with a Dr. Young mouthpiece. It was unbranded. I don't know what it says about it or me as a player, but the most telling comment i got on a large sousaphone when i was futzing around before a parade was that it sounded like a synth. So, rock steady and invariant, or perhaps expressionless. My impression also with that one in particular is that i could get a very similar tone despite jumping octaves.

It did draw an awful lot of breath early on, but i think one gets better at dealing with it. Not really sure what i mean, so i'll think about it...

You could maybe use it for subwoofer effect or something then! I'll probably get one eventually for fun then.

[Mithosphere]

I tried one a few years ago, when I visited Paul Mayberry (how is HE doing? Haven't heard from him in a long time!)

I did not like this mouthpiece at all. No exaggeration, I didn't like a single thing about it.

Spend your money on something modern and more useful. I don't personally like stainless steel mouthpieces, but bloke has designed a heckuva mouthpiece, and that would easily be worth more than a Dr. Young whatever...

"Rare for a reason..."

Was that one of the Reynolds Dr. Young mouthpieces, the comically large french horn version? Those are the ones that play the worst.

...I'd still like to get one...

[bort2.0]

Oh gosh, I don't know. Maybe the French Horn one...? It was about 6 years ago, so...

[tobysima`]

I tried one a few years ago, when I visited Paul Mayberry (how is HE doing? Haven't heard from him in a long time!)

I did not like this mouthpiece at all. No exaggeration, I didn't like a single thing about it.

Spend your money on something modern and more useful. I don't personally like stainless steel mouthpieces, but bloke has designed a heckuva mouthpiece, and that would easily be worth more than a Dr. Young whatever...

"Rare for a reason..."

Was that one of the Reynolds Dr. Young mouthpieces, the comically large french horn version? Those are the ones that play the worst.

...I'd still like to get one...

Where could I find a good playing one? I definitely think I could have a use for it.

[humBell]

My accumulation of Dr. Young mouthpieces:


Left to right: Wessex Young 1R, Reynolds Dr. Young Model, unmarked.

I have had the unmarked longest and actually performed with it. I really like the evenness throughout my range it gives. As i said, i been called a synth on it (and a Martin Mammoth sousa) which i take as a compliment. I don't know that it carries loudly for playing loudly, as i recall one parade using it, and having the leader kept asking for more bassline. I also like it for its weight as it is on the heavy end of mouthpieces, despite not being sure it makes a difference, and for sharper inner rims. Hey, Linus likes his blue balnket...

Anyway, i got 'em out, and only laziness will keep me from comparing them somehow and sharing thoughts about them... But boy am i lazy!

[tobysima`]

My accumulation of Dr. Young mouthpieces:


Left to right: Wessex Young 1R, Reynolds Dr. Young Model, unmarked.

I have had the unmarked longest and actually performed with it. I really like the evenness throughout my range it gives. As i said, i been called a synth on it (and a Martin Mammoth sousa) which i take as a compliment. I don't know that it carries loudly for playing loudly, as i recall one parade using it, and having the leader kept asking for more bassline. I also like it for its weight as it is on the heavy end of mouthpieces, despite not being sure it makes a difference, and for sharper inner rims. Hey, Linus likes his blue balnket...

Anyway, i got 'em out, and only laziness will keep me from comparing them somehow and sharing thoughts about them... But boy am i lazy!

I wonder which one gets the best "synth" effect!