Long shot: Mouthpiece modifications in Japan?

harrisonreed · by **harrisonreed** » 2020-02-28 9:10 a.m.

I know it's a long shot. Does anyone know of any shops in Japan that can enlarge a throat on a mouthpiece?

GabrielRice · by **GabrielRice** » 2020-02-28 10:06 a.m.

http://willies-custom-brass.jp/2018/

Hawaiyan · by **Hawaiyan** » 2020-02-28 10:02 p.m.

You may want to also try Isleriche mouthpieces.

He crafts and sells his own mouthpieces. Can't remember his name, but I think he was educated in the states.

<EMAIL email="info@isleriche.com">info@isleriche.com</EMAIL>

harrisonreed · by **harrisonreed** » 2020-02-28 11:19 p.m.

Thanks guys!

Pre59 · by **Pre59** » 2020-02-29 4:53 a.m.

[quote="harrisonreed"]I know it's a long shot. Does anyone know of any shops in Japan that can enlarge a throat on a mouthpiece?[/quote]

There's another thread about opening out mouthpieces but I can't find it. I'm in favour of it if done gradually, but there certainly wasn't any love for the procedure on this forum..

harrisonreed · by **harrisonreed** » 2020-02-29 5:50 a.m.

[quote="Pre59"]<QUOTE author="harrisonreed" post_id="105822" time="1582899039" user_id="3642">
I know it's a long shot. Does anyone know of any shops in Japan that can enlarge a throat on a mouthpiece?[/quote]

There's another thread about opening out mouthpieces but I can't find it. I'm in favour of it if done gradually, but there certainly wasn't any love for the procedure on this forum..
</QUOTE>

I'm well aware that there is little love for the procedure on TTF and TC, but I'm not planning on opening the mouthpiece up that much -- a little goes a looong way.

The V3 has a much smaller throat than I've played on for the last 15 years or so -- everything I've had has ranged from .283" to .300", and the V3 is something like .274". It doesn't sound like a lot but that's makes for a 7-14% smaller area in the throat from what I'm used to.

I think if I increase the throat area by 7% and see how that goes, I'll get the extra volume I'm looking for and be happy. I don't know a lot about machining, but that's like an I to a K reamer.

It'll be cool to see what these shops say here.

Pre59 · by **Pre59** » 2020-02-29 6:55 a.m.

On a 11C and 12C the popular modification for the throat was .250", but the skill was getting the backbore to match the throat. The first time I took the mp home with just the throat bored, and returned after a couple of gigs to start on the backbore which was settled on after a couple more visits.

The criterion was how well the mid balanced with the low end as I remember it, and the reamer was marked with a line for that mouthpiece type.

jjenkins · 2020-03-01 11:04 a.m.

I agree with Pre59 - the throat has to be balanced with the backbore and cup volume. If there won't be any changes made to the backbore, then I wouldn't go any larger than .276/.277 in the throat. You'll notice a difference AND you won't be left with an expensive paperweight.

Tbarh · by **Tbarh** » 2020-03-01 2:55 p.m.

I am fiddling around with an old Conn "Tait" model mouthpiece.. The rim id and cup depth are fairly big but with a V shape and a tiny small backbore.. Gives a unique and beautiful sound.. Dont discard the idea of balancing out a big mouthpiece with a tight throat and backbore... Or: the other way around, big throat backbore/smaller cup.. Find the right blow for it..

Matt_K · by **Matt_K** » 2020-03-01 3:03 p.m.

I don't know how expensive it is but I've heard that Yamaha has a pretty awesome custom mouthpiece experience. Might be worth investigating while you're over there anyway!

harrisonreed · by **harrisonreed** » 2020-03-01 6:22 p.m.

[quote="Matt K"]I don't know how expensive it is but I've heard that Yamaha has a pretty awesome custom mouthpiece experience. Might be worth investigating while you're over there anyway![/quote]

I think that shop is located in Germany though :(

Matt_K · by **Matt_K** » 2020-03-01 8:17 p.m.

Oh for real!? I just assumed it was in Japan based on comments from Doug Yeo in some of his interviews from a number of years ago from when he worked on the YBL622 and his signature piece. If you're Doug Yeo you probably do get some degree of special treatment though!

NordicTrombone · by **NordicTrombone** » 2020-03-02 8:02 a.m.

[quote="Matt K"]Oh for real!? I just assumed it was in Japan based on comments from Doug Yeo in some of his interviews from a number of years ago from when he worked on the YBL622 and his signature piece. If you're Doug Yeo you probably do get some degree of special treatment though![/quote]
I think you’re both right, I know people who has had custom mouthpieces made in both the Atelier in Germany and in Japan :)

Matt_K · by **Matt_K** » 2020-03-02 9:53 a.m.

Aha! I would actually be really interested in hearing about someone's direct experience. I've heard a lot but how much of it is real would be interesting. E.g. I've heard that they basically make a few solid sterling blanks and make adjustments so you can A/B on the spot w/o having it go out for plating.\

harrisonreed · by **harrisonreed** » 2020-03-02 6:13 p.m.

Haha yeah, that sounds beyond expensive. I'll leave prototyping and silver blanks to people who are going to get a signature mouthpiece deal.

I remember some of the Doug Yeo blanks looked first and foremost way too heavy, but also just plain dumb looking. Seems they settled on a more normal blank in the end.

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Long shot: Mouthpiece modifications in Japan?