A better 6 and 1/2 AL?

[Bach5G]

The other day I took my Bach 6 and 1/2 AL down from my mpc shelf and plugged it in to my Bach 16 (16M?). So far, so good, but I got to wondering: the design has been around for a long time. Are there any better, more modern versions?

[mbarbier]

The Warburton 6T (a bored out version was my daily for about a decade), Hammond 13 range, and LI Brass Sasha Romero 525 (my current daily) are really great, quite different versions in the 6.5 that I've found to be really nice pieces. Rath also has a nice one that feels fairly inline with a traditional 6.5. Greg Black and Brass Ark/Bob Reeves have multiple variations that I'm it familiar with but look great and I hope to try before too long.

[Rusty]

Some of the best 6 1/2AL type pieces I’ve played, in no particular order:

- Brassark/Reeves Clarke 6.5 (slightly bigger diameter rim, pretty open)
- Laskey 54M
- Doug Elliott LT E or D+ cup with corresponding 3 shank and 100 rim (super versatile setup and more efficient than Bachs)
- Greg Black 6 1/2AL regular (great compact sound)

All of these are an improvement on a typical Bach, and all sound great with their own distinct sounds. If you can find one, a Bach Mount Vernon 6.5A (tighter throat) is an awesome all round piece on a .508 horn. Classic Bach sound and response over the whole range.

[Danitrb]

JK USA 6 1/2 AL , it is based on Mount Vernon mouthpiece , excellent and cheap. I use them on my horns.

[jabice]

I'll second the the Hammond 13M. I'm using one on my .508 here and I really like it. It's much less of an air sink than the Bach 6 1/2 AL and FAR more comfortable. I don't know that I'm happy with the rim size - 13M is a touch too small and a 12M proved to be a touch too large, but that's a preference issue I'm trying to sort out. The piece itself is wonderful.

[RJMason]

I used the Hammond 13M for about 7 years. I eventually moved to slightly smaller pieces but I still have mine. Really like it. Get the classic blank if you can, not the skeletonized one. I hope to try the BrassArk Clarke in bronze at some point. Greg Black just makes wonderful mouthpieces with a sound and feel I really connect with.

[Bach5G]

I’ve found an LT 100 (Lexan), E, E4 to be an answer.