Large mouthpiece protector

[WBpiper]

I am considering getting a reed wrangler, but then I saw something else that caught my eye: I have seem some players with just these HUGE rubber mouthpiece protectors! Many of the mouthpiece protectors offered are usually pretty small.

I am assuming they find some sort of special tubing somewhere that suits their needs. Would this be the case? If so, do any of you use large rubber protectors? & if you do, where would you find such things?

[Steven Knox]

Re: Large mouthpiece protector

I use silicone tubing from FreshWaterSystems.com. Specifically:

Silcon Silicone Tubing 3/8 ID x 1/2 OD x 1' - 25 foot roll
Part # 280-0608:25FT

This fits fine on Airstream and MacLellan mouthpieces, cut to any length I want.

[el gaitero]

Re: Large mouthpiece protector

I am considering getting a reed wrangler, but then I saw something else that caught my eye: I have seem some players with just these HUGE rubber mouthpiece protectors! Many of the mouthpiece protectors offered are usually pretty small.

I am assuming they find some sort of special tubing somewhere that suits their needs. Would this be the case? If so, do any of you use large rubber protectors? & if you do, where would you find such things?

When I was having some necessary dental work I felt a rubber tip would be beneficial until the permanent work was solid. I wrestled the black grip off the end of an inexpensive ball point pen and found that did the trick....
Otherwise I wouldn’t recommend other than a standard round mouthpiece tip to anyone....with advice to learn to not chomp,...develop and exercise self control of lips and facial muscles...relax while playing...to appear to be effortlessly enjoying the playing. With more years of experience ...anyone would be grateful.

[Pip01]

Re: Large mouthpiece protector



Greetings, WBpiper, and to All,

Simply based upon my own experience (in such
matters as surgical dental work, etc.)... as well as
upon the experience of several... if not many...
others... were I in your spot... I would opt for the
Reed Wrangler.

I would hazard... that you shall like it.

Many of us have found it a boon for... and if nothing
else... helping us to extend our playing time...

But... if you get one... and don't like it... just please do
send me a shout... and I shall be happy to buy it from
you.

However it may all turn out... wishing you...

All the Best!!

Pip01

[Klondike Waldo]

Re: Large mouthpiece protector

FWIW, I just put an old Airstream mouthpiece on a blowstick two days ago and used a standard black mouthpiece protector on it. The trick is to soak the rubber protector in hot ( Not scalding!) water and get one edge started, the lever the opposite side on with something like a stick pen,then "wiggle " it into position a little at a time.

[Neal Hinerman]

Re: Large mouthpiece protector

I'm another big fan of the Reed Wrangler. It definitely improved my playing time. Leads to more relaxed playing for me too.

[WBpiper]

Re: Large mouthpiece protector

Well it's settled then! I'm getting the reed wrangler!




I do have a problem with low muscle tone, unless my reeds are very easy I cannot form a proper seal. If that doesn't work I will consider a custom blowpipe mouthpiece, McCallum made one with a "dish" where your mouth lies on a large flat surface.

[el gaitero]

Re: Large mouthpiece protector

I will consider a custom blowpipe mouthpiece, McCallum made one with a "dish" where your mouth lies on a large flat surface.

It’s actually a readily available screw in hard plastic replacement for the standard round hard plastic mouthpiece tip that comes in a Mccallum bulb mouthpiece.
Screw one out and the other in.
It is similar to a reed wrangler ..but is a smaller width flattened round. ...not as wide as the wrangler...definitely not soft.

The wrangler’s wide flat shape is not nearly the ergonomic shape of normal pursed lips when blowing. Why to think it less taxing to embouchure more comfortably than a normal ergonomic round I personally don’t get.
Not to mention a round tip will always (on parade or otherwise) ,glide exactly correct into the lips at ‘pipes up’ vs having to hurredly fidget a wide oval askant to set it correctly comfortable.

[WBpiper]

Re: Large mouthpiece protector

Why to think it less taxing to embouchure more comfortably than a normal ergonomic round I personally don’t get.
Not to mention a round tip will always (on parade or otherwise) ,glide exactly correct into the lips at ‘pipes up’ vs having to hurredly fidget a wide oval askant to set it correctly comfortable.

It's just one of those things I guess.

IMO do what you can to get them to play comfortably and properly.

[Neal Hinerman]

Re: Large mouthpiece protector

I started off with a big bore round mouthpiece. Then one night I played my teacher's pipes. He had a big bore oval, and I noticed an immediate difference; it was much easier to play than mine. About 2 years ago I switched to the Reed Wrangler, and that was evan easier to play than the big bore oval.

From my perspective, you're spreading the load of maintaining a proper embouchure over a greater area, which requires less effort. So a round mouthpiece is liking picking up a weight with two fingers. An oval is picking up the same weight with all five fingers. The Reed Wrangler is like using your whole hand to pick up to weight.

Plus I leave the tube of the Reed Wrangler as long as I can, so it's flexible through it's whole length. I can move my head around without losing my embouchure. To me, that's more ergonomic; the whole instrument is more flexible, and able to respond to my inputs.

[kful]

Re: Large mouthpiece protector - Airstream mouthpiece

I found the following Tygon tubing works perfectly with the Airstream mouthpiece.

Ultra-Soft Tygon PVC Tubing
for Food and Beverage, 1/2" ID, 5/8" OD

https://www.mcmaster.com/#5894k39/=1c7nn52

[Calum]

Re: Large mouthpiece protector

I suspect there's really not much in it. I can't see from a physical point of view that there's any difference. One mm of lip is going to experience the same amount of pressure, therefore a larger mouthpiece equals more force. But, there's more muscle available to contribute, so the maximum force expended is about the same.

Bore does make a difference, but having gone back and forth I'm not very bothered about it these days (I have two sets going at the moment, one with an airstream and one with a round mouthpiece).

However, psychology is important, and if you think one is better for you then it almost certainly is.

[beagle]

Re: Large mouthpiece protector

where do get a reed wrangler
who sells them

[WBpiper]

Re: Large mouthpiece protector

where do get a reed wrangler
who sells them

islandbagpipe sells them.

[Pip01]

Re: Large mouthpiece protector



Also... directly from... ReedWrangler.net...

(Dare I say ought about... "Straight from the horse's mouth?"

And... there are several other... handy bits... that are carried...

As for the shipping (and how e'er you'd like ... being based in the U.S. ... and either to
you... "Up There"... or to far-away others... "Down Under"... the rates are all standard...
the weight is minimal... so it's just most probably... six o' one... and half-dozen of the other.