Mouthpieces Alto mouthpiece advice needed

sax_starved · Jan 28, 2009

I play a Rico Graftonite B5 which is quite hard to blow compared with the Yamaha 6C. Although I quite like the Rico's lively sound it can produce some squeaks that I don't get with the Yam. Does anybody know what size opening the Graftonite is compared with the Yamaha, and would increasing the size of the opening produce a more mellow sound?
Subjective I know, but what would be a good step up from a budget mpc?

greg_strange · Jan 28, 2009

Rhys appears to be an expert on mouthpiece specifications - he would be the guy to answer about comparing sizes. Good mouthpieces to try would be Meyer 5M or 6M, Vandoren Javas maybe Jumbo for a brighter sound and more grunt, Beechler perhaps or maybe Pete has a PPT alto mouthpiece in the pipeline. Usually baffles and chamber sizes dictate how the mouthpiece sounds, e.g. high baffle, small chamber would be very bright sound, a larger chamber would be more mellower and usually bigger the baffle brighter the sound. Try as many mouthpieces as possible to see what suits you.
Regards,
Greg Strange - where it's summer Downunder.

griff136 · Jan 28, 2009

LLoyd

there is a mouthpiece comparison chart here:
http://www.bill-lewington.com/charts/altosax.htm

if you are upgrading from a yamaha mouthpiece and you want a hard rubber one then yanigasawa ebonite pieces are great, you could also try meyers or otto links

but I'd take gregs advice and try a many as you can.

you may find a nice relatively inexpensive one plays better than one that costs a coule of hundred quid.

Bobby G · Jan 28, 2009

griff136 wrote:

you may find a nice relatively inexpensive one plays better than one that costs a coule of hundred quid.

This is very true, many fine mouthpieces are available for less than (in some cases considerably less than) a hundred quid.

Lockjaw · Jan 29, 2009

I'd also suggest trying the Rousseau JDX Jazz (ebonite) series. I've used one on my alto for 20-odd years, never been tempted to change*. I find it gives a good clear tone, strong from the bottom end to high harmonics, and cuts through well without being over the top. They're currently ?77 at sax.co.uk.

[*Unlike tenor where I'm on mouthpiece no. 5 in 4 years!]

Pauline · Jan 29, 2009

Or ?63.62 at Wood, Wind and Reed, Cambridge.

www.wwr.co.uk

TomMapfumo · Jan 31, 2009

or ?60.00 at www.howarth.uk.com 😛

TomMapfumo · Jan 31, 2009

Factual answer - B5 is .080" tip opening, 6C is .071". For me squeaks can often mean that mouthpiece opening/reed combination is not quite right and that the gap is not closed well enough by the embouchure - might need some adjustment to at least one of the three to cure it - I'd try a slightly softer reed or conscious change to embouchure to try and eliminate such squeaks, and then consider a change of mouthpiece.

Kind regards
Tom 8)

yamaha_mad · Jan 31, 2009

What type and strength reed you playing?

Yamaha mad

sax_starved · Jan 31, 2009

I'm playing a RJS 2M. I am surprised that the opening of the Graftonite is larger than the Yamaha because it's much less free blowing. The chamber does seem much smaller though, unless my eyes are deceiving me.

I'm still searching for the right combination and I take what you have all said as good advice. I think that I need to spend some time in a shop and try a few.

Ho hum! Mayber look at an upgrade for my tenor while I'm at it. Great fun, but what will happen when I've got the right gear? Soprano maybe? I feel a new thread coming on.

TomMapfumo · Jan 31, 2009

I think that the "less free blowing" may be because the mouthpiece/reed combo may be harder to get a sound out of, in which case the combination is too hard. Certainly a softer reed would be worth a try (Marca Jazz 2 or 2.5, or FL/Superial DC 2's). Otherwise a mouthpiece with a tip opening below .075 would be better, probably.

Kind regards
Tom 8)

yamaha_mad · Jan 31, 2009

If you've gone down a size on mouth peice then maybe you need to try a harder reed, say a 3.

Yamaha mad

sax_starved · Jan 31, 2009

I've made an appointment at my local music shop to try out some mouthpieces. I've narrowed my search to the Otto Link, Selmer S80 and Meyer Ebonite plus anything else that they may recommend around this sort of price range. I thought I'd try both the alto and tenor as I may end up upgrading both (only got budget mpcs at present).

I notice that sax.co.uk really sing the praises of the Meyer. Is this just advertising hype or does anybody have any experience of them?

Interestingly there seems a huge price disparity for the tenor Meyer; ?107 at sax.co.uk and ?139 at my local shop (although the latter may include a ligature - need to check this out).

A final question. I use a Rovner Dark ligature for both my alto and tenor. Will this suit the mouthpieces I will be trying?

Sorry about the multi-questions - it's still a steep learning curve.

TomMapfumo · Jan 31, 2009

Hi Lloyd.

Much of the criticism of current Meyer ebonite mpcs is that there are quality issues, and its generally worth trying more than one if you can. From what I have read the Meyer ebonite was the 'classic' Alto mouthpiece and several manufacturers produce copies, which are generally better than those currently available - marketed as being as good as the originals. These include Vandoren V16 HR and Ponzol Vintage HR, both of which I play on my Alto (the Ponzol is my favourite Alto piece and highly thought of - I got mine from sax.co.uk where it comes with a Rovner Light Ligature in the price. The V16's are also worth a try).

My favourite Alto ligatures are a Rovner EVO-5, or a Francois Louis Basic - both under ?20.00. An Otto Link would be worth trying, but not so sure about the S80 - seems unjustified/overrated in its status and lots of people don't like them.

Good Luck with your trial.
Kind regards
Tom 8)

sax_starved · Jan 31, 2009

Thanks Tom,

The problem is my local shop doesn't have the product range of sax.co.uk but I can't really justify a trip to Croydon. I really want to try before I buy. I like my Rovner ligature but I think the Vandoren mpc needs a Vandoren lig, which is why I asked the compatiblility question.

Lockjaw · Jan 31, 2009

Croydon??? It's just this side of Mars!!!

I suggest you look at a map, estimate the time to get there and then double it. It really is in the back of beyond.

Having said that I am a big enthusiast, I've been there several times even though it's a 4-hour drive each way for me, and I've bought loads of kit from them. Be aware they are very enthusiastic about everything, not just Meyers. Not because they are cynical (I don't think), but because they are just... enthusiastic! But the choice (& price) is brilliant and they don't put on pressure. Service is top notch too, including online.

So I'd suggest you save up your air miles and make the trip - it will be much cheaper (in money and time) than buying the wrong mouthpiece. Allow a whole day and spend loads of time trying things, but be focused on what you're there for, it's too easy to be the kid in a sweet shop. I've done that too... 😉

Bobby G · Jan 31, 2009

Hi Lloyd, I've used a Meyer ebonite piece in the past and at the time it really suited what I was doing. They are relatively free-blowing (for me anyway) and not too expensive. At about the same price you could try an ebonite Selmer, which are a bit rounder and less edgy-sounding than a meyer, but again very easy to play on. I had an Otto Link ebonite piece some time ago, and they are nice too, although for some reason seem to be noticeably quieter.

I also had a couple of those Rico Royal graftonite mouthpieces, can't remember which they were (they come in A, B and C 1, 2 and 3 making a range of 9), but they were ok too - I got them for about 20 quid in Perfect Pitch, Chesham.

The Vandoren Java mpc's also come recommende by some as an inexpensive upgrade from a basic mouthpiece, although I haven't tried one on alto (I use a Jumbo Java on tenor, nicely powerful).

As well as your local shop, and also if a trip to Croydon is too far or too time-consuming, there is Myatt's in Hitchin or Michael White's just off the North Circular less than a mile south of the dreaded Hangar Lane Gyratory. Hope you find something you like.

TomMapfumo · Feb 1, 2009

For ligature compatibility do look on the Rovner website which has a ligature compatibility guide - you key in your mouthpiece and it will tell you what size of ligature you will need. Quite useful. You certainly do not need a Vandoren ligature for a Vandoren mouthpiece, even a V16 Metal Tenor.

Kind regards
Tom 8)