Model MD Cup

"M" for Mainz and "D" for Descant - this is designed to produce the brilliance of sound and projection needed for today's principal and high horn players.

The model M was the first mouthpiece here at Strachan Brass and it's "a mouthpiece for Alexander players in the USA".  It needed to have that classic American sound while fixing some of the deficiencies on the F side that you get on American mouthpieces on Alexanders.  It makes a rich, middle-of-the-road sound; a capable chameleon to let you and your Alex blend into any American section.

As players of shorter instruments know though - as we get above Bb into the "altos" the sound gets woofier and less brilliant.  And here's where the original model M reaches its limits; on shorter horns (e.g. the Alex 107, triples, and ascending horn for weirdos (like me...)) it doesn't always punch through.

The design brief then was; an Alexander mouthpiece with the characteristic brightness and projection of the best Geyer-style horn, fully compatible with the 107, Alex triples and even horns in Bb soprano.

The resulting design exceeded my expectations; not only does it have a rich, characteristically "horn" sound on a descant, but it's wonderfully capable on the standard doubles as well.  It plays with a good brightness and punch without breaking up, has a superb response on the low F side and a reduced timber difference between low F, Bb and high F making it perfect for triple players.  Also works great on Bb soprano.

(If you're looking for a triple or descant mouthpiece with an American shank - head over to the Model G which has a very similar cup shape).

#19 bore, shallow cup.