Mouthpieces D'Addario Select Jazz Tenor mouthpiece

[CliveMA]

Saxspy produced an excellent video on the D'Addario Tenor mouthpiece. I particularly like that he sought out and spoke with the designers about the origins and of the piece. He also had one refaced for comparison and playtested for a pragmatic 4 months before making this video.

View: https://youtu.be/mt0xGfBcrgU

 

[saxyjt]

Saxspy produced an excellent video on the D'Addario Tenor mouthpiece. I particularly like that he sought out and spoke with the designers about the origins and of the piece. He also had one refaced for comparison and playtested for a pragmatic 4 months before making this video.

I personally can't tell the difference between the 3 mouthpieces. I have no idea what the refacing touched or changed as he doesn't really say. So it might be easier to play, but soundwise, I can't say I hear anything... Can you?

 

[CliveMA]

I personally can't tell the difference between the 3 mouthpieces.

They sound the same to me. I conclude D'Addario do a good job of finishing and so basic refacing is unnecessary.

Refacing is discussed below. Link is in description of above video.

View: https://youtu.be/cC6S3pkJK4o

 

[Phil]

Unless a player wants it, refacing should not change the overall character of a piece...assuming its original facing is not just stupid short or long. Baffle adjustments can help obtain more clarity if it is lacking. If one wants chages in tone to the mouthpiece it must be requested. Then baffles, chambers, and throats can be adjusted to create the desired effects. So basically, unless its really made badly in the first place you should not hear a huge difference. The big difference can often be found in mouthpieces with a rollover baffle. Few to no machines can create a proper rollover. There is literally a Gnats a$$ difference between a mpc that plays so-so and one that sings when it comes to baffle adjustment. It has to be played and adjusted to get the absolute most from a piece. A swipe of a file makes a difference.

For giggles on a piece with a rollover...Put on a reed, play a scale up and down the horn twice (dont play spitty). Take off the reed. If you see moisture pool up on the baffle (more than a little sweat" consider that your baffle is not properly adjusted.

 

[Alex9]

I really like his videos; clear, thorough & well edited.

With the mouthpieces he played, there was no discernable difference in sound for me but the reface may have improved the response at his end.

I had high hopes for the D'Addario but it just doesn't do it for me, marbled or not!

 

[CliveMA]

I had high hopes for the D'Addario but it just doesn't do it for me, marbled or not!

We're all different. I love my D'Addario with D'Addario Select Jazz reeds and Vandoren Red Java, not so much with other reeds.

 

[Ivan]

For giggles on a piece with a rollover...Put on a reed, play a scale up and down the horn twice (dont play spitty). Take off the reed. If you see moisture pool up on the baffle (more than a little sweat" consider that your baffle is not properly adjusted.

I play in cold Scotland on metal mouthpieces

How does that affect this test?

 

[Ballymenaboy]

Just bought D'addario select jazz for tenor and alto..very impressed with both for tonality and volume.They work great for me with Legere American cut reeds

 

[Phil]

Ivan its the same on metal pieces. This is one reason you just do a run from the top to the bottom of the horn...no fancy playing, no subtoning...just straight up. I always remember to wipe the bottom of the reed dry on my pants or shirt before doing it also. Two runs is enough. If you go over you can get buildup from just being a wet player or condensation. If you are worried about it put the piece in your pocket for a few minutes to warm it up.

This is just one of the things I do to check every piece before it leaves. I cant make everyone love my mouthpieces. Everyone has their preferences. I can, however, create a situation where no one can say they dont perform properly.

 

[lydian]

I'm very late to the party, but I just picked up an 8 tenor, and it completely blew me away. So easy to play, beautiful tone from top to bottom, effortless subtone and altissimo. It's also very easy to darken or brighten at all dynamics. It's now my primary mouthpiece. I like it better than my Berg, Dukoff and Link.

My first gig on it is coming up. I'll let you know if I still love it after 3 hours of hard playing.

 

[lydian]

Worked great on the gig. Not quite as bright as my Berg, but bright enough. It's a keeper.

 

[MMM]

I'm very late to the party, but I just picked up an 8 tenor, and it completely blew me away. So easy to play, beautiful tone from top to bottom, effortless subtone and altissimo. It's also very easy to darken or brighten at all dynamics. It's now my primary mouthpiece. I like it better than my Berg, Dukoff and Link.

My first gig on it is coming up. I'll let you know if I still love it after 3 hours of hard playing.

Glad you like it, I play on a 7 and am curious to try the 8, if I find one at a good price I'll go for it.

 

[lydian]

Glad you like it, I play on a 7 and am curious to try the 8, if I find one at a good price I'll go for it.

The 8 feels very open, more than the .110 it supposedly is. This means more effort to control intonation. But I'm used to it. If you're not looking for something really open, you may want to stick with the 7.