MB5-ET Review by Steve Walkley
A few weeks ago we sent over an MB5-ET to one of my all time favorite trombones players Mr Steve Walkley, back in the 80's Steve was principle Trombone for Sunlife Stanshaw and the Williams Fairey Engineering Band, I had the privilege al doing a number of concerts with Fairey's where Steve would be the regular soloist and my what a fabulous player. Please take time to read the review of the MB5-BT below:
Hi George, as promised an updated progress report on the MB5-ET
I'm currently playing 2nd Trombone with the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra for 3 weeks - with very good players either side of me (and loving it). I am very happy with the results I'm getting from the new mouthpiece, but all the more so because the other guys have been very complimentary about the difference the new mouthpiece has made within the section. That's great, and very reassuring, because - as a player - you don't really hear yourself as others hear you. So, a second opinion from someone with a discerning ear (but not influenced or biased by what it "feels" like) is always useful. I'm well chuffed because the new mouthpiece is doing exactly what I'd hoped and intended it would/should do.
As expected, the MB5-ET is slightly bigger than the Bach 5G (which I'd used very successfully for many years as a 1st Trombone player in bands and orchestras) but quite not as big as the 4G - which I'd tried to switch to for playing 2nd Trombone, but not very successfully. What I gained sound wise from the 4G was negated by what I lost in terms of clarity of articulation, and upper range security. So, I reverted to the security of the old faithful 5G.
Happily, the MB5-ET seems to be giving me the best of both worlds, in that I am producing the warmer/rounder/"fatter" sound I was hoping for (which sits very nicely between the 1st and Bass Trombones) - but without noticeably sacrificing too much in terms of upper range security. It has needed a bit of working at to get it where I wanted, and will require a bit more regular practice to maintain it than the 5G did but no complaints about that. Clarity of articulation is not a problem - in fact, the more I get used to it, it's probably better than the 5G was. And the rounded rim is giving me more flexibility than I've enjoyed for years - which is a bonus. That's the main reason I always preferred Bach mouthpieces to Denis Wick - rounder rim gave more flexibility - but I'm finding the MB is even better.
So, from my perspective, I have absolutely nothing negative to say about the MB5-ET mouthpiece - it is doing everything I'd hoped it would, i.e. it "bridges the gap" between the Bach 5G and 4G very successfully. The manufacturing quality and finish is excellent, it is very attractive to the eye, and the "chunky" design provides more weight/mass which produces greater focus and core to the sound.
So yes, definitely a happy and satisfied customer
Stephen Walkley
Hi George, as promised an updated progress report on the MB5-ET
I'm currently playing 2nd Trombone with the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra for 3 weeks - with very good players either side of me (and loving it). I am very happy with the results I'm getting from the new mouthpiece, but all the more so because the other guys have been very complimentary about the difference the new mouthpiece has made within the section. That's great, and very reassuring, because - as a player - you don't really hear yourself as others hear you. So, a second opinion from someone with a discerning ear (but not influenced or biased by what it "feels" like) is always useful. I'm well chuffed because the new mouthpiece is doing exactly what I'd hoped and intended it would/should do.
As expected, the MB5-ET is slightly bigger than the Bach 5G (which I'd used very successfully for many years as a 1st Trombone player in bands and orchestras) but quite not as big as the 4G - which I'd tried to switch to for playing 2nd Trombone, but not very successfully. What I gained sound wise from the 4G was negated by what I lost in terms of clarity of articulation, and upper range security. So, I reverted to the security of the old faithful 5G.
Happily, the MB5-ET seems to be giving me the best of both worlds, in that I am producing the warmer/rounder/"fatter" sound I was hoping for (which sits very nicely between the 1st and Bass Trombones) - but without noticeably sacrificing too much in terms of upper range security. It has needed a bit of working at to get it where I wanted, and will require a bit more regular practice to maintain it than the 5G did but no complaints about that. Clarity of articulation is not a problem - in fact, the more I get used to it, it's probably better than the 5G was. And the rounded rim is giving me more flexibility than I've enjoyed for years - which is a bonus. That's the main reason I always preferred Bach mouthpieces to Denis Wick - rounder rim gave more flexibility - but I'm finding the MB is even better.
So, from my perspective, I have absolutely nothing negative to say about the MB5-ET mouthpiece - it is doing everything I'd hoped it would, i.e. it "bridges the gap" between the Bach 5G and 4G very successfully. The manufacturing quality and finish is excellent, it is very attractive to the eye, and the "chunky" design provides more weight/mass which produces greater focus and core to the sound.
So yes, definitely a happy and satisfied customer
Stephen Walkley