JimFlex Development – Jim
I had no idea how analytical K.O. was the first time I met him. It was when we started working together that I discovered it was his passion as a player and his scientific background that led him to develop trumpets and mouthpieces that play easier and sound better than any other.
His father was a doctor and so he was around science and problem solving his whole life. His approach to the mouthpiece and trumpet is as a player who wants to make other players’ lives easier.
As a result he listens to what you have to say but never holds back his opinion, which are based on his studies of the trumpet and mouthpiece. He always listens with an open mind and never discounts what I have to say.
The first custom piece he made for me was amazing. I told my best friend Darryl Ecsedy that I finally had the “holy grail” of mouthpieces and was never going to change.
When K.O. sent me the new JimFlex, I was skeptical, I thought nothing could beat the “holy grail” but gave it a blow anyway.
After the first few notes I put my other mouthpiece in the drawer and haven’t played it since.
Jim Manley
Jim Manley Music
JimFlex Mouthpiece Development – K.O.
The first time I met Jim he was kind enough to give me a trumpet lesson. He listened to me for about a minute and then said “Sounds good. Now let me show you all that you’re doing wrong.” Let me tell you it was a lot!
I have always been fascinated with how Jim is able to get such a big sound throughout all the registers while using tiny quantities of air.
The first time I had a chance to make a mouthpiece with him was when he changed from his V~Raptor to his VRII trumpet. He came out with his existing mouthpiece and some other mouthpieces (including an MF Giardinelli) and told me what he liked about them and what he was looking for in a new mouthpiece.
I analyzed the mouthpieces he had and ended up modifying both the cup and the backbore. The new mouthpiece sounded much better and JIm said it was easier to play as well. He played this mouthpiece for a few years and sounded great on it.
When I had finished testing on the VR Flex mouthpiece concept in early 2009, I decided to redesign the last mouthpiece I had made for Jim. When I played the redesigned piece, it was quite an improvement: It had a bigger sound with more overtones and was easier to play. This was accomplished by modifying the cup to our VR style, using our Flex alloy, and designing a new acoustic series, the T2. Since then, we have continued our acoustic studies and now the most advanced JimFlex is in our M4G Series.
I remember calling Jim and saying I had a new mouthpiece for him to try. His response was that I could send it to him but he was sure it couldn’t be any better than what he had. In fact he said he’d rather change girlfriends, than mouthpieces.
Jim called me immediately after receiving the new mouthpiece and has been playing it ever since.
K.O. Skinsnes
Drew Wilkie (verified owner) –
I have two “versions” of the JimFlex: M4G, and T2/30. The M4G is definitely more free-blowing than the T2/30, and thus, makes a wider, louder sound. The T2/30 is tight and bright, extremely directional, and a bit easier to play in the upper register. Both mouthpieces are quite different from one another regarding their respective playing characteristics, but they are each outstanding.
As to the rim and cup, it’s essentially a Giardinelli MF1 rim, but with a more traditional bowl-shaped cup replacing the original straight V-cup. No bite on the inside edge of the rim, so the mouthpiece feels wider than the specs read (feels more like a .610 than a .560). The cup is of a more traditional shape, shallower than the MF V-cup, and follows his “VR” design philosophy (i.e., a lengthy entrance to the bore). The shape really does allow for a big, complex sound, despite overall cup volume being so small.
Be careful with a mouthpiece like this. It is VERY small. It is not for the player who likes to stuff his face into the cup. It will reward the efficient player, and punish the inefficient player.
KO is definitely onto something regarding the science of what makes a mouthpiece truly “tick”. Great intonation, ultra quick response. I’m shocked by the kind of performance potential he has been able to design into a mouthpiece so small. Also, a hell of a nice guy. Truly, one of the good guys in the business…and arguably, the smartest guy in the room wherever he hangs.