They just don't make mouthpieces like they used to. Or DO they?...

At the risk of starting another mega-thread that might deteriorate into childish squabbling... (by the way, if you're tempted to squabble, please do the rest of us a favor and do it via email to each other unless you have a point that contributes to the discussion...) In the modern era of mass production and profit outweighing process control, certainly mpc producers are perhaps doing less hand finishing and such to perfect their product before they distribute it. However, with modern technology and precision process control, wouldn't you think that tolerances would be better controlled - lending modern mpc production to more consistency and less need for hand finishing and other forms of screening? With CNC and laser cutting, you would think that mouthpieces could be spat out with the same consistency of synthetic reeds. There are certainly vintage mouthpieces in mint untouched condition that play like crap. But they still sell for a mint. Maybe that "awesome" Hollywood is untouched because as soon as anyone plays it they put it away with a twisted look on their face. Mark VI's and SBAs sell for a mint so Selmer created the Ref horns to recapture the market they probably wish didn't exist - except for propping up their brand name which is seemingly worth less and less as time passes. So as Berg Larsen reintroduces the duck-bill, for example, is it really worth trying to track down an old one unless you are an avid collector? You might have to try five to get the one you really like, but that's no different than hunting down a true killer vintage piece. Killer price don't mean killer performance, of course. Well, now that I've started the fire - anyone care to throw gas on it?

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