Freddie Gregory metal Alto Mouthpiece Fluted model 7* tipsize RARE, INCREDIBLE

Description

This is a very, very rare alto mouthpiece made by Freddie Gregory, fluted model in metal with original tipsize 7*. Note: this listing is just for the metal alto mouthpieces, the other mouthpieces in the 2nd and last picture are for reference and comparison only
In the last years of his life, I was in contact with Freddie on a regular basis and he made some mouthpieces for me...several Tenor mouthpieces in metal and in hard rubber (these special ones with the additional rings on the body of the mouthpiece !!)..see the 2nd picture.
Towards the end of his life he was working on three mouthpieces for me in his workshop in Spain, a hardrubber tenor piece (the shiny one in the picture!), a baritone mouthpiece (which he didn't make very often) and this fabulous alto mouthpiece.
Although he mainly made tenor mouthpieces, he also made incredible soprano, baritone and alto pieces....I myself had a baritone piece on order that he never got to finish unfortunately.
For alto, you sometimes see the hard rubber "F-model" mouthpieces, but this was a special order metal alto mouthpiece.
A fluted model alto piece, which in addition to reducing the total weight of the piece, according to him also increase the vibration of the metal. With 100 grams, this mouthpiece still isn't a "lightweight" by the way !!
Although it was not fully finished, as Freddie still needed to add the serial number and his engravings/model number (other than the tipsize on the backside of the piece, it is unengraved), it is an incredible playing piece. Although the typical model descriptions for Mark II, Mark III and Mark IV are more applicable for his tenor pieces, I would describe this more as a Mark IV type piece. It has a high baffle, but much more of a gradual transition into the chamber than the typical Mark III pieces have. Also, this was on my request as I didn't want the piece to be too modern and "screaming" but wanted it to keep the warmth and full sound, as an alto in itself tends to sound less full. And that is exactly what you will find in this mouthpiece, Power, but also warmth and full sounding
Although I have kept this mouthpiece in my collection for a long time, as it is such a special and rare piece, I decided to put it up for sale as I don't play alto that much and it is simply too special to just be stored away in a drawer and not being played at all
Mouthpiece is sold as is, so a
sk your questions before bidding.
PS: After Freddie had passed away, I was contacted by one of his relatives, who was taking care of his unfinished business and he was so nice to ask me about some of the pending orders, which pieces were completed or for which I wanted a refund. As this person was going through Freddies files and administration (which not his strongest side I guess....) and for him it was unclear what had been finished and shipped out, and what was still pending.......I was moved by this very open and trusting way of taking care of the unfinished business