Question:
Different Couf Mouthpieces
I'd appreciate knowing the difference between the following Couf alto mouthpieces: Artist, Special, and Herbert Couf Special. Thanks. :)

Answer:
I think EZ is the resident Couf mouthpiece connoisseur. Look for him in the mouthpiece refacing area.

Answer:
Of all the ones I've owned or worked on...

"Special" models are made of plastic and are similar if not identical to Brilharts, Selmer Goldentone, etc. Straight sidewalls that squeeze at the throat. Slight rollover baffle.

"Artist" models are made of hard rubber - which is to say there is some noticeable amount of sulfur in the compound. These have sidewalls that are mostly straight - perhaps slightly concave, but not significantly. Round throat which is medium to large, but not as large as Tone Edge Links. If the facing designation has a *R suffix, then it has a full size body. *S facing suffix indicates it is streamlined, so it is narrower like a metal, though the beak still has some appreciable height to it. If the facing number has a J prefix, that means there is a high step baffle. So you can find these pieces as "4*R" or "6*S" or "J7*R" or "J9*S" for example.

The Herbert Couf Special are also plastic, but there are Herbert Couf Artist models that are hard rubber. Some of these models are also streamlined but do not have a *S suffix, necessarily - sometimes just called "4*". The conventions changed over time, though I do not have a timeline to be specific about what changed when. Just that I've seen many variations.

I happen to have a Herbert Couf Special for alto which is clear plastic.

There are also Couf metal mouthpeices, by the way. They appear to me to be similar to Wagner metal mouthpieces. Silver plated brass.

I have not seen a plastic "Artist" model nor a "Special" in hard rubber - not to say they don't exist.
I don't collect many mouthpieces for collecting sake, but I have a thing for Coufs.

Answer:
Thanks!
EZ,
Thanks! I really appreciate the information and it is a big help!:D

Answer:
Originally Posted by EZ Of all the ones I've owned or worked on...

"
"Artist" models are made of hard rubber . That explains why Chitownjazz told me to go for the Artist.:)
Originally Posted by EZ I don't collect many mouthpieces for collecting sake, but I have a thing for Coufs. I know-I was bidding against you on eBay for one Couf-got expensive and the opening was a bit large. :D

Answer:
The one that just finished is probably the last one I'll chase that high for a while - I needed a slim high baffle tenor to round out my collection.

It's not to say I won't continue to chase them - just not as fervently.:)

Answer:
Yes the old Artists are decent Meyer-type pieces. The J for tenor blows very well for a high-baffle mpc.
The Specials are nothing special.

Answer:
Ed,
Tried to send you a pm about some Couf mouthpieces but nothing shows up in my sent box. Did you receive pm from me?

Answer:
Just replied in email. Thanks so much!

Answer:
Did not Runyon make some Coufs?

Answer:
Runyon made the slimline soprano pieces that had "COUF" printed on top - not the Artists or Specials as far as I know.

Answer:
Yeah. I had some Couf sops that were clones of the Custom.

Answer:
Weren't there wood Coufs too?

Answer:
I've only seen wood Coufs for soprano. Mine has "W. Germany" on it. mega large chamber, low baffle, lousy facing - rather stuffy players. Been gradually whittling away at my own to set it up respectable. The more I open it and introduce some rollover, the better.