Mercerandbarker Reviews 24

A couple of days ago, I was fortunate enough to be in the company of Carl Mercer. I was collecting a Euphonium, which for its age (B&H, so its some years old and is in extrememely good condition. Carl listened to me trying to play this wonderful piece of musical and historically important instrument. I'd taken my recently acquired Denis Wick 4AL mouthpiece and prided myself on still remembering how to play a scale, even though it sounded like a southerly breeze after eating a pound of lentils. After a minute or so, Carl recommended one of his own mouthpieces. We've all probably been in the position of someone sucking air through their teeth, shaking their head saying well this could be costly and difficult to remedy, so alarm bells started ringing, Carl passed me a GW5 in satin silver with a polished rim. I used it, but it didn't feel much better than the 4AL. However Carl was extremely generous and gave me the mouthpiece and a bottle of valve oil.
After arriving home, I tried some lip exercises with just the 4AL, then I used the GW5 and the difference was like chalk and cheese. The 4AL is packed up and on a shelf of other long forgotten life momentos. The WG5 is marginally smaller, with a slightly different shape to the bowl. It is far easier to produce a clear note and looks stunning.
I can't thank Carl enough for helping to direct me back into being a musical instrument custodion, and for being instrumental in helping this 70 year old play his own instrument and play in a band after work stopped me playing in 1970.
Clearly, Carl has a tremendous heart and is clear on the path he wants to travel to help musicians of all levels to succeed.
Thanks Carl 😊

I play tested the MB 1S and I was hooked.
Due to circumstances I stop using it for awhile.
I started using it again and to be honest I won't use anything else.
All of my old mouthpieces have been put in storage.
It's so comfortable in all ranges it's always nice to play on it.
I've also got the accompanying Sonic version. It's briilliant.
They are both of super high quality and the service from them is second to none.
Do yourself a favour and try one out.
You will not be disappointed.

After talking with Mercer & Barker l, they out me in touch with the developer of their soprano cornet mouthpieces.
Following a discussion with him I decided to give it a go (I live outside the UK so getting to 'try before I buy' is impossible)
I can honestly say, they best money I have invested had been purchasing their mouthpiece.
So comfortable, sound is awesome and have gained my confidence back as a player after many years of struggling with self doubt as a player.
Would 100% recommend them to anyone

I first purchased an M & B mouthpiece from George Barker himself; he recommended an MB-6 "Goliath" when I asked what would be a good mouthpiece for pedal notes on a BBb Tuba. George wasn't wrong, the mouthpiece enables sonorous notes in range below concert F; previous notes that required the whole of the bottom lip are achieved with ease. The power is immense. I have previously used Mr Tuba, VB 7, Marcinkiewicz and Perantucci mouthpieces and, although good, cannot match M & B.
I also used the MB-6 on an EEb Tuba in a quintet, the results were amazing, (relatively) high notes were easily achievable using the mouthpiece and a huge bottom range was achieved.
I have since purchased a stainless steel version of the Goliath.
I would heartily recommend M & B mouthpieces, especially to tuba players.

George came to rehearsal and allowed a trial of the mouthpiece… u tried a number of cornet ones but settled on the MB3… the cup allowed better range in dynamics, better range in upper register and lowered lip fatigue immensely. Could not recommend these mouthpieces enough.

I wanted to get a sop mouthpiece as I am currently switching from cornet to sop, all the advice was amazing and the mouthpiece does exactly what I tell it to do and not only is it precise but feels nice when I play highly recommend (PR-Sonic)

Bought the MB4-ET for my euphonium because I’ve heard great things about Mercer and Barker and wanted to give them a try, and wow, I noticed an improvement in my sound immediately. It felt like my sound opened up to its full potential, like my last mouthpiece was holding back my resonance. I noticed an immediate improvement in my tone, projection and low register, and the mouthpiece is extremely comfortable and smooth on my face. The only drawback I noticed with the MB4-ET was that it was a bit more challenging to articulate notes clearly with the rounded rim, it feels like it takes more effort. That is hardly a complaint though and will just take some getting used to, overall I am extremely satisfied with my purchase!

My MB3-C was bought as a replacement for an ageing Denis Wick RW3 and it has exceeded my expectations in every way. It is comfortable, flexible, and gives a fantastic warm cornet sound. The workmanship on it is top notch and the gold plating of the rim and cup is expertly finished. You can tell that these mouthpieces have had lots of thought and development put into them.

It arrived very quickly and was packaged safely. Excellent service by Mercer and Barker.

Never would have believed after all these years I would have changed mouthpiece but though I would give Mercer and barker A try, Initially I bought the incorrect size so emailed and was swapped without any hassle, The flugel mouthpieces are so good and comfortable and there's just something about the weight and cosmetic that inspires you and gives you confidence, I went for the satin Gold model to suit my instrument, although this bumps up the price a little it's a one time purchase that will last a lifetime so more than happy, notes just slot so easily but the biggest factor is tone and projection, these mouthpieces help with both. High quality service and mouthpieces, I suggest you give one a try even if you have played on other manufacturers for years.

Brilliant service from Mercer & Barker recently. I spoke to George and he advised me which mouthpiece would probably suit me and he was spot on. Delighted with the service from beginning to end.

The mouthpieces from M&B are the best i have ever played on. The whole tuba section at Stavanger Brass Band are sponsored by M&B, and it makes the section sound great. We recommend these mouthpieces to all bass sections, and they really will make the section sound fantastic.

These mouthpieces are superbly made in the Uk from finest materials available and with real care and attention to detail. The finishing is superb and performed by hand.

George and Carl are so easy to deal with, really pay attention to your needs and requirements and have a superb team of experts and artists on hand to give advice and suggestions. Some of who have had hands on input into development and so a deep understanding of the products.

These are the best mouthpieces available, made in the UK and with after sales care other brands can only dream of.

Mercer and Barker make high quality mouthpieces for all brass instruments, and were amazing to deal with when designing mine.
The quality of the actual mouthpiece is second to none, and the various finish options make them stand out from the crowd.
I'm very happy with the way my mouthpiece works for me, and both Carl & George are really easy to contact, and very helpful with whatever queries I had

Thanks for a great product

The best mouthpieces out there. Offers a bright, focused sound with good projection. They provide great clarity in high and low registers making them ideal all-rounder mouthpieces. The rim is comfortable for long sessions. Overall, it's a solid choice for players looking for a mouthpiece that offers both agility and a large sound

I have a few mouthpieces for both tuba and bass trombone and they are amazing. They have improved my sound quality, range and stamina. The mouthpieces are extremely comfortable on the face and are lovely to play.
I have the MB1.5BT and The beast for bass trombone as well as the MB3 and MB4W for Eb Bass.

Flugel has been my favourite instrument for all my career and I have played on the same mouthpiece for the last 35 years.
I have played on the cornet MB4 for 3 years and when I was approached to play top section flugel this year, I thought it made sense to try the MB4F.
It arrived the week of the areas and I had a quick blow. Immediately I had a warmer, rounder sound. The same comfortable rim as my cornet mouthpiece, but much more confidence in the higher range. It just felt so right. I played the Area’s, The Grand Shield and ever since on the MB4F. It is a perfect match in brass & wind bands with my Strad, but also works well on my Courtois that I use for pit work and Swing Band. The most flexible mouthpiece by far and I would say fabulous for stamina!
Try Mercer & Barker, they are a game changer!

I use the GW6 baritone mouthpiece, and have found that the mouthpiece has aided the development of my tone, range, and stamina massively. The weight of the mouthpiece is something that I noticed straight out of the box, and found that it helped me produce a fuller, richer sound. Another thing that I found particularly beneficial is how comfortable the mouthpiece sits on the face, which certainly helps with endurance. This is the perfect mouthpiece, in my opinion, for baritone players, and more specifically 1st Bari players as the size definitely brings just the right amount of comfort when playing at a higher range for longer periods of time. Would highly recommend.

Great mouthpiece! Excellent service and support! Highly reccomend!

George and Carl provide fantastic customer service as well as top quality products. The mouthpieces are beautifully made and the plating has proven to be very durable. I play on the GW4. The initial impression was how focused the sound was with no hint of 'fuzz' and how comfortable the rim felt. The sound is big and rich. My Championship playing days are a distant memory now but the combination of the GW4 and Adams E3 has given me renewed enthusiasm to keep playing.
Rob Burnett Vintage Cory Band

I've been using their mouthpieces for nearly 4 years and like many brass players was searching for years to find the 'one' and I finally found it in the 'The Beast' and the MB4-ET. Such a great company to deal with and they'll happy sort out any questions or queries you may have.