We are attending the Alessi Seminar and visiting dealers the 30th of August through the 9th of September.
This means we will be shutting down during this period for deliveries.
Please visit our dealers/distributors during this time for your Griego needs.
Regards,
Christan Griego
In 2013 I developed the 4147-IB Tenor trombone with Ian Bousfield for Getzen Instrument Co. At the time Ian had been working on developing a mouthpiece line that had started before the instrument designwork.
Fast forward to 2015 and discussions were had about the possiblity of moving manufacturing to the USA with GSI LLC (Griego Sound Inventions LLC) and pushing the designs forward. This led me to work on his mouthpiece line.
There are many new creations that are going to be offered within his line of mouthpieces. The redesign brought new aspects that allow us to bring his complete approach to the forefront. From small changes to the outside of the mouthpiece to more drastic internal changes, the pieces play great.
We are working with our dealer/distributor network to make sure these are near you to test. If your local dealers do not have them, ask them to get them for you.
We are shutting down December 15 through January 1st.
You will be able to find us at Midwest Band Convention this week in Chicago.
We have a lot to do to get ready for 2015, and so we ask that you purchase any last minute Christmas Gifts through our Stocking Dealers.
I’ll be in Anaheim for the 2014 NAMM. I’m sharing the booth with Getzen and will be wearing my Getzen hat. If you want to come by to test, talk, and hang out please do.
Many have noticed the beautiful (lighter) blank the SW was recently released in. This blank is the long awaited small bore Nouveau blank and is now available for you in all of our small bore sizes. Enjoy.
We are changing services and the porting has left us in no man’s land. Please call (414) 698-3803 this week while we work out the details. Texts are also accepted.
Beth has taken a week of vacation so we will not be processing/shipping mouthpiece orders the week of 10/28/2013-11/3/2013. Thanks for your understanding.
While working with a great college player, his teacher commented, “his setup’s just all wrong.” In order to see how we could make it “right”, I asked a few questions:
Me: When were you set up?
Player: 3 years ago
Me: What mouthpiece were you playing on at the time?
Player: A Bach 5
Me: What are you playing on now?
Player: A 5 cup and 3 rim from… (doesn’t matter, so we’ll leave the brand out)
When he was fit to his horn, he was playing a mouthpiece that had a cup diameter that was significantly smaller than his current mouthpiece. His sound was big but needed more core. The highs were missing and focus was lacking. It was obvious that he was a very talented player that could play anything. It made me jealous.
Everything meshed when he was fit to his horn three years ago. But after changing mouthpieces, the instrument no longer worked as well as he needed. He was contemplating buying another trombone but he actually needed to address the relationship between the mouthpiece and the horn. Two cheaper options were available to him. First, he could work with different leadpipes to get the compression he needed. Or he could examine his mouthpiece choice. Why fall in love with a mouthpiece that doesn’t work? Switching to a new mouthpiece is the cheapest way to adjust the feel/sound.
On a related note, last night I played a gig with Mark and Jon in Milwaukee. Before leaving the office, I picked up a bass valve section destined for Korea and a bass prototype slide (I didn’t want to use a new stock slide). Basically, it was an off-the-rack bass trombone. I added two bass mouthpieces I regularly play (1.5 NY and CS1) and off I went.
I was able to make the horn work, but it wasn’t a perfect fit. I was able to get through the gig without too much discomfort, but if I had done a more thorough job of matching equipment, the feel and projection would have been much improved.
I know many people buy off-the-rack equipment, or when being fitted, a horn that their friends and/or teachers like but that may not be ideal. It’s important to give yourself a timeline to make your gear work. If it’s not working, don’t ride something into the grave. While our decisions are made with the best intentions, we have to move forward and improve as musicians. We owe it to ourselves, our colleagues and our audiences. As for me, I probably won’t be running out to a gig with mismatched equipment again. While I made it work, life’s too short to just get by.
The 5 CS, 1 CS, and 7 CS are designed around the Getzen Custom Series trombones. They do however work quite well on most trombones and I’ve been getting a lot of requests of “how do I purchase this model, because I can’t find them on your website?”.
These models are sold exclusively through Getzen dealers and you can order through your local Getzen Dealer. Please go here to find a dealer.
For the past year, I’ve been working with Gerry Pagano and Mark Hoelsher on a new bass trombone mouthpiece. On Gerry’s most recent trip, we were able to come up with something we’re proud to offer as my first Artist Series bass model.
This mouthpiece is very well balanced. I work with a lot of bass trombonists, so I’m quite sensitive to the needs of you guys. While we all love big bass trombone sounds, a bomastic low register usually equates to a wide-open, “false ringing” upper register. This piece addresses that with a big bass sound in the low register that also works great in the upper register. And it does that without being overly bright.
Now for the specs. This GP model has a 1.125″ cup diameter and a wide rim (1.595″). That’s a bit wider than a traditional Bach-like blank (1.555″). It’s not uber-wide, but it does allow for more contact than most bass mouthpieces. You’ll recognize the blank design as being the same as those from the Alessi line.
I’m intrigued by this model since it’s a departure from what I’ve produced in the past. I hope you enjoy the sound and feel as much as we do.
Next up in the Artist Series is a Steve Wiest jazz trombone mouthpiece, which is long overdue.
We’ve been shipping the piccolo mouthpieces for a while, and the trumpet mouthpieces are shipping as well. Remember to ask your local dealers to stock them, bricks and mortar places offer return policies that we can not being such a small manufacturer. The resonance is everything Mr. Ashton wants and approves. These mouthpieces are a big step forward in Mr. Ashton’s design concept and we hope you enjoy them for many years to come.
The Griego Team