DE mouthpieces new vs old

[Steve335]

I wonder if anyone here can tell me how the new DE mouthpiece design compares to the old?

[Doug Elliott]

New, as in from 2004 to the present, or new as in 2018?
There was a major change in 2004, and I've been tweaking things periodically since then. And adding many new sizes that I don't list - some half size rims & cups, medium-narrow rims in some sizes, and even a few half size backbores.

Almost every rim size is available in 2 or 3 widths, and sometimes other shapes. Lots of customization without the custom price.

But new and old parts are compatible with each other.

[Steve335]

Thanks Doug for replying.
I’m interested to know about the 2018 tweak.
Many thanks in advance.

[Doug Elliott]

I adjusted some things in the cups marked with a star. And maybe some that aren't marked.

[Steve335]

Thanks Doug.
How has the response/ sound changed after your adjustments?

[Doug Elliott]

Maybe some other players will comment.
When I hear people trying them it's a bit bigger sound, maybe more core and projection.

[mrdeacon]

Maybe some other players will comment.
When I hear people trying them it's a bit bigger sound, maybe more core and projection.

I recently just had the chance to work with Doug and pick up a new bass piece. I've spent the past almost 3 years on his LB M series and was looking to downsize for something in the 1 1/2G size range.

Doug let me try out his SB and MB series pieces. I picked up directly from Doug a regular J and J* cup for the SB series and J* for the MB series, I also picked up a regular MBJ cup used.

For me, the J* in both cases was better than the standard J cup. As Doug said, they felt like they had a bigger sound, easier low register, and more projection. Slightly darker sound too. The mouthpiece I ended up with was an MB109 lexan rim, MB J* cup and J8.5 shank.

The J* in both sizes reminded me of my favorite aspects of the LB size but in a smaller 1 1/2G sized package. The regular cups in the SB and MB series both felt more compact and had an easier high register but the other aspects of the * cups won out for me in the end.

In regards to at least the SB and MB I can't recommend his * cups enough. I have not had a chance to try in the * cups in the XT series, or LB or XB series.

[cigmar]

Are these new 2018 changes confined to the cups only? The shanks and rims are the same as previous years?

[Doug Elliott]

Yes

[trombonejb]

I think sometimes it's best not to know the exact difference between 2 brands.

This mouthpiece has been said to play this way.

"ok i'll try playing that way on this mouthpiece"

*it doesn't work*

"alright then, your mouthpiece doesn't play that way"

as opposed to just playing the mouthpiece and letting the change come to you

[mrdeacon]

I think sometimes it's best not to know the exact difference between 2 brands.

This mouthpiece has been said to play this way.

"ok i'll try playing that way on this mouthpiece"

*it doesn't work*

"alright then, your mouthpiece doesn't play that way"

as opposed to just playing the mouthpiece and letting the change come to you

Yes and no? I mean I've played on Doug's older designs and his new ones and I've personally found his newer SB and MB bass designs to be better, as noted in my previous post...

I think it's helpful to understand the differences between different designs so you save yourself the time and money during the mouthpiece hunt.