3 soprano mouthpieces tested

Hi John
Just listened on my iPad so sound quality may not be great, I have to say that I can't hear a huge difference between the 3. Do you have a preference?
Jo 🙂
 
Hard to say. n.1 sounds more colorful. Not sure about the control.
n.3 is at the other end (kind of more traditional sound)
n.2 in the middle.

Have you tried any Berg Larsen?
 
Hi John
Just listened on my iPad so sound quality may not be great, I have to say that I can't hear a huge difference between the 3. Do you have a preference?
Jo 🙂

Hi Jo,not much difference I agree,it shows that most of a players sound 'IS' the player, imo. The Yamaha feels 'stuffy' to blow, compared to the other 2, but if I only used the yamaha, I would get used to it and would not know there was any MP better or worse!Also the Yamaha sounds a bit dull,boring?No character, but works well with everything you throw at it.The other 2 sound about the same to me (although not exactly)They do have some musical quality/depth. I will carry on for a few days and try and choose one!!!! LOL.
thanks, John
 
Hard to say. n.1 sounds more colorful. Not sure about the control.
n.3 is at the other end (kind of more traditional sound)
n.2 in the middle.

Have you tried any Berg Larsen?

I have tried (here is my try list)

Jody Jazz 6* HR (too edgy and bright)
Selmer super session HR E (too bright and loud)
Meyer HR 5m (quite good, but still a little bright)
Yamaha 4C does everything (not much character)
Selmer SA 80 (not much difference to Yamaha 4C)
Soprano planet HR Rue lapis (rounded, soft, fat,smooth sound)
Vandoren optimum HR SL4 (tip opening seemed too wide for me,very loose on cork fell on all the way down,sounded ok though,SL3 would be better for me I think, I wouldnt rush out and buy it.
Vandoren HR V5 Jazz S35 (too wide a tip for me,sounded breathy, non distinct, also fell right down on the cork)
Lomax HR classic m (softer than Yamaha 4C,not harsh,Quite like this one, than went off it some time later!
Vandoren HR V16 S6 (under test this week)

My above comments are my personel to me (I am a bit basic with MP's so not very technical or scientific) I just like what I like, but I always enjoy the MP merry go round, if I had to practice quietly I would use the Yamaha 4C, if I had to perform with other players I would choose ......................... Ill let you know................

PS, I am using a Rovner dark lig and Vandoren 2 reed,and the sound I am chasing is Steve lacy,I know I can never play as good (or any way near) as the great man, I would just like to get in the right area with the MP and I know the rest is up to me.
 
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I guessed about Steve Lacy.
Have a go on a HR Berg Larsen, if you find one.

I would recommend to try softer reeds though. If you use blue Vandoren, keep in mind they are harder than anything else.

And look for Paris Blues: Lacy in duo with Gil Evans
 
I guessed about Steve Lacy.
Have a go on a HR Berg Larsen, if you find one.

I would recommend to try softer reeds though. If you use blue Vandoren, keep in mind they are harder than anything else.

And look for Paris Blues: Lacy in duo with Gil Evans

Thanks, I will try a Berg Larsen (its not one on my tried list) as for the Steve Lacy albums, I havnt heard 'Paris Blues' I have at the moment
Reflections (Lacy plays Monk)
Steve Lacy & Mal Waldron 'Hot House'
'Lets Call This Esteem'
Steve Lacy Sprano Sax
Steve Lacy Solos,Duos,Trios. comprises of 6 albums, Only Monk.More Monk.Sempre Amore.Communique.The Flame. The window.


thanks John
 
Thanks, I will try a Berg Larsen (its not one on my tried list) as for the Steve Lacy albums, I havnt heard 'Paris Blues' I have at the moment
Reflections (Lacy plays Monk)
Steve Lacy & Mal Waldron 'Hot House'
'Lets Call This Esteem'
Steve Lacy Sprano Sax
Steve Lacy Solos,Duos,Trios. comprises of 6 albums, Only Monk.More Monk.Sempre Amore.Communique.The Flame. The window.


thanks John

Few Italian releases, I see. Please don't miss the works with Gil Evans (Individualism of GE). Steve lacy was such a complete musician!

About the Larsen, I think the ones with lower baffle (/2 or /3) work better, but they are not too easy to find.
 
Hi, re Berg Larsen, not sure about these please have a look at this link, is this the one?
http://www.howarth.uk.com/addtocartII.aspx?pid=34427

Will def. get more Lacy, there is quite a lot though, not too struck on the avante garde later stuff though. but I still listen as I dont want to miss anything!
regards
John
Few Italian releases, I see. Please don't miss the works with Gil Evans (Individualism of GE). Steve lacy was such a complete musician!

About the Larsen, I think the ones with lower baffle (/2 or /3) work better, but they are not too easy to find.
 
I tought the second mouthpiece had the most warmth with high overtones more easily heard. The third mouthpiece was the most consistent, but lacked also seemed bland by comparison to the other two. These observations are exageratting what, for the most part, was an exercise that shows how it's mostly the player rather than the mouthpiece that makes our tone what it is.
 
I tought the second mouthpiece had the most warmth with high overtones more easily heard. The third mouthpiece was the most consistent, but lacked also seemed bland by comparison to the other two. These observations are exageratting what, for the most part, was an exercise that shows how it's mostly the player rather than the mouthpiece that makes our tone what it is.
Yes, I think I am at the conclusion that mouthpieces dont make too much difference (did I just say that!) So far, from my ever growing list of MPs, there isnt realy any one that jumps out that much and says 'buy me I am the best' some are easier to blow, some slip down the cork and need paper to keep them tight (Vandorens) but overall I sound pretty much the same on all of 'em,they certainly dont make me play or sound any better than the level I am at.My uncle who has been playing since the 50's on alto,tried my soprano recently, and guess what he sounded just like himself, I mean if I heard him play the sop without seeing him do so,I could recognise him and his tone (even on a different sax he never plays). It seems this personel tone/sound transfers from alto to soprano and probably tenor etc.
 
Hi, re Berg Larsen, not sure about these please have a look at this link, is this the one?
http://www.howarth.uk.com/addtocartII.aspx?pid=34427

That is the one. Try any facing available. They are not consistent, but they are usually good. Leave the /0 or /1: really bright.

The other option is to try to book an appointment with Ed Pillinger, but these days it is very hard. He has a huge knowledge and a few successful models. His main soprano piece (link like) is awesome.
 
My first soprano mpc was a Berg 65/2 which was really nice. I currently have a 70/1 which is back up to my SP Via Coro, which I love. They seem good mouthpieces but do cost, but can be found cheaper online with a little hunting.

Agree about a different reed - Lacy did use a Marca reed, as does Joe Giardullo, and I find them the best that I have so far played on, along with Alexander DC's.
 
Only problem with sax.co.uk, they dont do 'try before you buy' (mailorder) unlike Howarth's, as we all know its a lot of money to invest in a MP, only to find after a very short while of play testing it is chucked into the mouthpiece drawer. (with all the rest) Having said that,I have only 2 mps,because I have either had the oppertunity to try first or I have ebayed the ones I did stick my neck out and buy, and then did not like.
 

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