Lynn, with his brilliant analytical mind, has created the ultimate tools for pursuing the at once wonderful and frustrating world of trumpet. These tools are characterized by efficiency, simplicity, and reasonable pricing…. The XPiece/Reversible Rim combo, Nicholson Personal, Nicholson LPiece, and LynnZhorn trumpet are all detailed below…..Derived from his direct experience with THE master in his prime, Lynn has also created a video that fully describes the Maynard Ferguson Protocol….
Quick Links
Please watch the videos below, and read the materials carefully….
All sales are final….
MF Protocol $33 USD
XPiece and Reversible Rim $175 USD plus shipping
Personal Piece $165 USD plus shipping
LPiece $165 USD plus shipping
Mac Park $170 USD plus shipping
XTR 1 $165 USD plus shipping
XTR 2 $165 USD plus shipping
XTR 3 $165 USD plus shipping
XTR 4 $165 USD plus shipping
New!!!
Our Concise Guide to the MF Protocol is now available in hybrid form, combining verbiage, photos, and video links, to clearly define the concepts that Maynard Ferguson used to forever transform the upper register of trumpet…. Everything you need to understand and implement the MF Protocol, all based on my direct experience with the Master in 1974, when he was in his prime and open to my youthful interrogations…. $33 USD download, or free with the purchase of the XPiece and Reversible Rim….PDF file delivered via email...
MF Protocol $33 USD
Maynard Ferguson Protocol
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/31871
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/31870
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Nicholson XTR Series
We are happy to announce that we are adding 4 new mouthpieces to our previous offerings. These pieces are called the Nicholson XTR 1, XTR 2, XTR 3, and XTR 4. XTR stands for “extra bite and extra chop room”. They are designed specifically for players who utilize all or most of the elements of the MF Protocol. These pieces simply provide more bite and some extra room for the chops.
The XTR 1 is the next piece in line following the Nicholson XPiece and the Nicholson Personal. The XPiece has a slightly convex v-cup and very little bite. The Personal is an absolute straight v-cup, providing a little more bite and more room for the chops. The XTR 1 is still a v-cup, but slightly concave (by the same amount that the XPiece is convex), providing even more bite and even more additional room for the chops. 25 throat. The major dimensions of the XPiece, Personal and XTR 1 are all very close, and all are true v-cups.
The XTR 2 is next and has even more bite. The cup is more conventional in shape and shallower, for a very loud/brilliant sound. The inner diameter measures slightly smaller than the previously mentioned pieces, but feels bigger, due to the increased room for the chops and additional bite. 26 throat.
The XTR 3 is similar to the cup shape of the XTR 2, but wider and even shallower for a slightly bigger but equally loud/brilliant sound….. This is for players who either prefer a wider diameter, or need to adapt to an anchor point. 26 throat.
The XTR 4 is bigger yet, providing even more room for chops, while still providing a very brilliant sound….. The XTR 4 is more like a conventional piece, so if you are a very relaxed player who implements much of the MF Protocol, the XTR 4 will require a bit more chop maintenance/strength. 26 throat.
The price is $165 USD plus shipping…. As always, all of our pieces are available with the RR treatment for an additional $100 USD…. To order from the first run, email me and Slawa will send you an invoice…. lynn9544@gmail.com
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Nicholson Mac Park Mouthpiece
We are now offering a scanned copy of the mouthpiece that I used to play the bridge of MacArthur Park on the Maynard Ferguson “At the Top” television special in 1974….. Prior to that performance, I went through a series of Jet Tone T1A prototypes (different sizes, rims, etc), and extensive modifications of same. Bill Ratzenberger was extremely knowledgeable and patient with me, as we created the perfect mouthpiece for the task at hand. I used the same piece the following couple of years in LA, and also on Toshiko’s Band, Buddy’s Band, Thad/Mel’s Band, etc, so it got quite a workout…..
The Nicholson Mac Park piece is more than a curiosity and plays great, if you’re a player who likes a fairly wide/shallow cup and very open design. The Mac Park uses the same conventional length Jet Tone blank as the original, but with one ring instead of two. Back in the day, Maynard and I used to play with nearly zero gaps in the very deep receivers of our MF Horns, so we also added a small amount of shank thickness. Otherwise, the piece would touch the lead pipe on some horns…. However, the “blow” and internals are the same….
The Nicholson Mac Park Piece has the following dimensions:
- Outer diameter 1.065”
- Inner diameter .665” somewhat subjective but roughly .030” narrower than a stock T1A
- Throat 23
- Depth .375” By comparison, the Nicholson Personal is .360”
- The backbore is difficult to quantify, but is free blowing and fairly large, especially at the exit
- The price is $170 USD, plus shipping….
The Nicholson Mac Park contains a magical combination of elements, and is a lot of fun to play…. Well, I sure enjoyed it..... Thanks for taking a look….
Hope you are all well in this crazy world….
Mac Park $170 USD plus shipping
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Nicholson XPiece and Reversible Rim
After years of beta testing, my unconventional Mindless Hardware Methodology is now available for all players who wish to dramatically improve their physical capabilities on trumpet. The hardware package is comprised of the Nicholson XPiece mouthpiece and separate Reversible Rim. This unique methodology works simply and effectively, bypassing the paralyzing and cumbersome thought processes that typically accompany traditional methods/systems.
Used properly, these tools will improve your sound, range, consistency and endurance, regardless of your playing style or currently used mouthpiece and horn. For those of you who have purchased my very zen “Got High Notes?” video, these tools are an adjunct to, not a replacement for the video. However, for those of you who have not yet purchased the video, these new tools still work as a stand-alone methodology, even in the absence of fully understanding the MF Protocol. Just follow the simple instructions. I have used these tools for years to maintain and improve my physical capabilities on the trumpet, automatically, in the absence of thought, and in my case, also in the absence of playing time….
Notes…. The XPiece is a small mouthpiece with a convex cup and 23 throat, similar to the MF Jet Tone, but deliberately smaller and more difficult to play. My favorite blank is used, similar to the Jet Tone classic blank, but with one ring instead of two. The Reversible Rim is similar to the rim I’ve used for years, but offering 2 options--difficult to play on one side, and very difficult to play on the other. If you rented “Got High Notes?” and have already purchased a v-cup and rim, those should serve you well. However, the XPiece and Reversible Rim will further accelerate implementation of the Maynard Ferguson Protocol. If you haven’t yet rented the video, perhaps it’s time. “Got High Notes?” clearly describes the MF Protocol…
To be clear, the XPiece and Reversible Rim are tools, to be used as described in the simple included directions. Your primary mouthpiece will stay the same. It’s unlikely that any of you will adopt the XPiece as your primary mouthpiece, but who knows? I play the XPiece half the time. Most players won’t sound very good at first on the XPiece. This is normal and alludes to the whole point of the methodology. Same goes for the Reversible Rim. You will improve, though, as your playing apparatus creates order out of the apparent chaos. Even if you don’t fully master the XPiece and Reversible Rim, your physical capabilities on the trumpet will still improve dramatically, as a result of this simple Mindless Hardware Methodology.
Here’s a video tutorial on how to use the tools…
Here is Blaise Bowman’s XPiece/Reversible Rim Review…
Please watch the videos and read the materials carefully…. All sales are final…..The price for both the XPiece and the Reversible Rim is $175 USD plus shipping.
For those of you who are already playing small v-cup mouthpieces, or considering a change to same, please see the Nicholson Personal and Nicholson LPiece below…..
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Nicholson Personal
The Nicholson Personal is between the XPiece and Roger Ingram's Vintage Maynard mouthpiece. The cup is an absolute straight v-cup. The mouthpiece has a 21 throat, plays very open, and is similar to Maynard's Holton prototype from the Chameleon band.... The price is $165 USD plus shipping….Again all sales are final….
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Nicholson LPiece
The Nicholson LPiece is the same as the Personal but .075" deeper and has a 25 throat, The LPiece is suitable for those players who already play one of the many small v-cups out there, including my XPiece and Personal. The L has the same rim as my XPiece and Personal but is .075" deeper, providing a more "tame" sound for applications that do not require peeling paint off the wall. The L has a large backbore. The L is extremely predictable, in tune, and easy to play. I use it in my flugel, as is. Your mileage may vary… The price is $165 USD plus shipping..... Again, all sales are final….
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Nicholson RR Series
My radical new Nicholson RR Mouthpiece Series has launched!!! RR for Resistance and Response, or as I like to call it, Race Ready....
To be clear, the primary goal of the RR offering is to provide the player with substantially infinite, noninvasive adjustability of resistance and response of the mouthpiece in the hardware chain, while maintaining essentially the same sound. This is accomplished by maintaining a constant ratio between the throat and backbore. Gone are the days of the currently fashionably small throats sounding thin and overly bright. The RR equipped pieces provide a nice balance of partials, since the base throat size is always large. Please read the short story below my signature.... Only the resistance/response changes. Many times, the RR can compensate for a bad gap or a horn that feels too big or too small. The range of throat feel/adjustability is roughly 18-40+. Other options for altering playability/sound will become apparent, as well, as you explore this new freedom..... For the first time, your mouthpiece can be precisely dialed in to you and your playing requirements, without having to buy other copies. We often hear the terms "radical" and "game changer" applied to items that are only incrementally improved. The Race Ready Series is TRULY radical and a game changer, as same provides heretofore unavailable possibilities.
We will be covering ALL models in Jim New's extensive database (Shew/Schilke/etc). These are "comparable" mouthpieces, optimized for the RR treatment and the MF Protocol..... No exact copies. The price is $265 USD plus shipping....
For those of you who already own one of my pieces in good condition (XPiece, LPiece or Personal), we are happy to offer a retrofit for $100 USD plus shipping.... However, after the RR modifications, your piece cannot be returned to stock. The RR treatment is simple, yet needs to be precisely implemented, so is therefore labor intensive. Plus, substantial R&D was needed to optimize the various aspects of this truly unique mouthpiece series..... The good news is that the noninvasive adjustability of your RR will save you a LOT of money in the long term.
All that being said, I LOVE defying conventional "wisdom". The RR series certainly does that. In fact, my preferred piece now is an RR.... The RR is a blast! Most fun I've ever had with any mouthpiece....
Please email me with additional questions and to check availability for your particular model mouthpiece...... Once you make a determination, please advise and Slawa will send you an invoice….
Thanks for your interest. Hope all is well in your respective worlds....
Peace....
Lynn
Ever wonder how throat size effects the size/quality of the sound? Long story short, I visited Maynard in 1975 at his home in Ojai, where we played different mouthpieces and horns. As luck would have it, I brought with me the Holy Grail Calicchio that he had given me at the end of 1974. At one point, I pulled it out and asked him to play it along side his Chameleon piece that I had previously reamed to a 19. The Holy Grail had a fairly tight 24 throat. The difference was shocking! Essentially the same cups, the 19 throated Chameleon piece sounded waaay bigger, with many more partials.... Not even close. Through the years, I've noticed the same thing. Given two identical pieces, the larger throat ALWAYS sounds bigger/better, especially upstairs, If the player is up to the task. Unfortunately, conventional wisdom requires changing the throat size to change the resistance/response. In turn, that changes the length of the throat, the backbore, the ratio of the backbore to the throat, the sound, and ultimately the pitch. Acclimation to the changes are needed, too. What a quagmire! Much easier to ONLY change the resistance/response.... Enter the RR.
Check out the video below, where I demonstrate the XPieceRR. Two back to back Pagliacci excerpts, one with the equivalent of an 18 throat, the other with the equivalent of a 30 throat….. Can you tell which is which?
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The last LynnZhorn, out of a total of 160, sold in January of 2019. A HUGE thank you to all the LynnZhorn buyers for believing in me, for taking a plunge into the unknown, and making the project a resounding success. Many thanks also to those of you behind the scenes (you know who you are) who helped turn the LynnZhorn concept into a reality. And of course, special thanks to my beloved Slawa for her unending help and support…. I’ll leave the verbiage in place, just in case some of you remain curious about the horn. ….
LynnZhorn
LynnZhorn is a very free blowing, silver plated, large bore trumpet with some unusual specifications. LynnZhorn plays easily in the cruising range, with lots of presence. Slots are firm, but not restrictive. Intonation is outstanding. LynnZhorn gets a large bore sound with a medium large bore effort. AND, if you're employing the Maynard Ferguson Protocol, you will be amazed by the upper register.
LynnZhorn has a .465” bore with a 4 ⅞” bell. It comes with a basic case and 2 tuning slides, one rounded and one D shaped. Each can be inverted for a total of 4 different playing configurations. Jazz players and classical players generally prefer the D shaped slide, while lead and high note players prefer the rounded slide. With these options, LynnZhorn is almost like having 4 different horns…..
LynnZhorn has gone through extensive development and testing. All production LynnZhorns are personally play tested and optimized by me. I can say without a doubt that Maynard would have loved LynnZhorn…. LynnZhorn will NEVER hold you back!
Here are LynnZhorn and the XPiece in action…
Here are LynnZhorn and the Nicholson Personal in action
Contact Lynn at lynn9544@gmail.com
"All races end in a tie." Maynard Ferguson
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