Accessories Do I need new gear? ...or is my old stuff going to work out?

[TomMapfumo]

Hi Laluna!

In the States it may be worth looking at a Ponzol HR and Morgan mouthpieces, both of which are highly thought of and have a 'vintage' sound, whatever that is. With a Selmer I would also look into Vandoren V16 HR pieces. If you look at www.junkdude.com you will see all these - the V16's cost $129.99, and Java's at $119.99, for example, and they do send pieces out on loan, and are good folks to deal with. All depends what sound you are looking for - but these are usually seen as like NY based 50's - 60's pieces and high quality

With regards to ligs the Rico 'H' is a well thought of cheapie, and I find Rovner EVO-5's ($28.95) the best of that bunch.
Unless I'm mistaken a decent HR piece works well with the Selmer you have.

Kind regards
Tom 8)

 

[Luluna]

Tom,

Thanks so much for the distillery and explanation - I will be checking out your recommendations - I never would have thought to look on a site called "junkdude.com"

I appreciate your time and expertise -

Lots and lots

 

[Pjonah]

Lori,

I recently tried the Selmer Soloist and its one heck of a piece, so responsive with massive projection.

I also rate Selmer USA's Brilhart pieces, I have a vintage Super Ebolin 5* on tenor and a new Brilhart 5* on alto.

I also got me a Graftonite on Baritone and its awesome. The best of the Graftonites by all accounts and of course they were all designed by Arnold Brilhart.

My ultimate preference on alto is the Selmer (Paris) Soloist.

One other thing there are a whole load of golfers with a garage full of putters because they believe the putter will make them better..... I would stick with the vintage gear, I bet all these youngsters in the orchestra are probably thinking that new member has a tone to die for! You'll probably find they will start gradually switching their gear to match yours in their relentless quest for the ultimate tone, you probably already got it!

Simon

 

[Smiffy]

My ultimate preference on alto is the Selmer (Paris) Soloist.

I use the soloist on my alto, it's a great mp

 

[Luluna]

Simon and Smiffy- thanks for the addition's to Santa's (dear hub's) wishlist -and also for your kind remarks regarding my "old-timer" status. I noticed the alto section sometimes sounds like herding cats with a cattleprod - those fancy gourmet inserts and ligatures don't seem to be doing too much at the moment!

Just found a Brilhart Ebolin listed on ebay... is this the one you've mentioned? http://tinyurl.com/5s8dol but I see that there is a hairline crack in the shank?

Smiffy - am scanning for a Selmer Soloist for Alto now.....there are long shank and short shank? C* and C**?

I definitely like to have a back-up MP, ya never know what might happen.

lots and lots gentlemen... 😉

 

[phil_edwards]

Pjonah wrote:
..... I would stick with the vintage gear, I bet all these youngsters in the orchestra are probably thinking that new member has a tone to die for! You'll probably find they will start gradually switching their gear to match yours in their relentless quest for the ultimate tone, you probably already got it!

Too right, stick with it,

regards, Phil

 

[Luluna]

Thanks Phil - 😉

Just been scouring Junkdude.com - holy smokes - I might just fly over to Columbus Ohio and have a look!

 

[TomMapfumo]

Luluna wrote:
Tom,

Thanks so much for the distillery and explanation - I will be checking out your recommendations - I never would have thought to look on a site called "junkdude.com"

I appreciate your time and expertise -

Lots and lots

Hi Luluna!

You are welcome to the explanation, but I am keeping the "Distillery" for myself!

BTW Don't tell Smiffy about what I really do for a living 😛
Kind regards
Tom 8)

 

[Luluna]

I guess over here it would be "Moonshining in Vermont" :whistle:

 

[Pjonah]

Luluna wrote:
Simon and Smiffy- thanks for the addition's to Santa's (dear hub's) wishlist -and also for your kind remarks regarding my "old-timer" status. I noticed the alto section sometimes sounds like herding cats with a cattleprod - those fancy gourmet inserts and ligatures don't seem to be doing too much at the moment!

Just found a Brilhart Ebolin listed on ebay... is this the one you've mentioned? http://tinyurl.com/5s8dol but I see that there is a hairline crack in the shank?

Smiffy - am scanning for a Selmer Soloist for Alto now.....there are long shank and short shank? C* and C**?

I definitely like to have a back-up MP, ya never know what might happen.

lots and lots gentlemen... 😉

Yup that's the baby! aint she cute, not so keen with the hairline crack though!

 

[Luluna]

TomMapfumo wrote:


In the States it may be worth looking at a Ponzol HR and Morgan mouthpieces, both of which are highly thought of and have a 'vintage' sound, whatever that is. With a Selmer I would also look into Vandoren V16 HR pieces. If you look at www.junkdude.com you will see all these - the V16's cost $129.99, and Java's at $119.99, for example, and they do send pieces out on loan, and are good folks to deal with. All depends what sound you are looking for - but these are usually seen as like NY based 50's - 60's pieces and high quality

With regards to ligs the Rico 'H' is a well thought of cheapie, and I find Rovner EVO-5's ($28.95) the best of that bunch.
Unless I'm mistaken a decent HR piece works well with the Selmer you have.

Kind regards
Tom 8)

I have been looking at these on junkdude, but am confused by the "tip opening" sizes - now that I'm getting my chops back - I typically play with a very hard reed - Vandoren 4's - should I look at the larger opening? or somewhere in the middle?

Cheers and thanks much -

 

[TomMapfumo]

Hi there!

What is the size of your Meyer MPC? Have a look at the facings chart onwww.jodyjazz.com under "resources' which will give you a guide to respective mouthpiece facing/tip opening size. Most often harder reeds (4+) indicate closed tip and softer reeds (2+) indicate open tip.

The main difference is more closed commonly means more classical sound, and less flexibility of expression. Larger opening commonly means more open, more expressive, more flexible sound.

Hope that helps. On Tenor I play a 7* - 8* opening (100 -115)
Speak soon - just having my supper.

Kind regards
Tom 8) 8)

 

[Luluna]

Hey Tom -

The only marking on my old Meyer is "medium" - really I think it's just a standard model - ? I'm amazed I used to do what did blissfully oblivious of sax technology.

Don't miss your supper!

I'm off to rehearsal to butcher the tenor sax solo in "In the Mood"


thanks so much ~

 

[Smiffy]

Technology can be a terrible burden

 

[TomMapfumo]

It's likely that 'Medium' refers to chamber size. Is there any number cut into the mouthpiece, which is common for most mouthpieces. On the whole Meyer's tend to be smaller openings. I would have difficulty playing a 4 reed whatever size the tip opening was, so i imagine its a closed tip opening, unless you have some powerful embouchure.

Anyway, Smiffy, don't go worrying your pretty little head about all these complicated discussions 😛

kind regards to you both
Tom 8)

 

[Luluna]

After scrounging around this evening - I actually found the original box the Meyer came in with the original price tag..ha! $45.00

Chamber - Medium
Tip Opening - 5
Facing Length - Medum

I'm using a #3 Vandoren now - but it seems too soft after an hour of rehearsal - change reeds at the break to make it through the next hour.... I never remember doing that :?

thanks for your time and advice, and the chuckles - 😛

 

[Smiffy]

Anyway, Smiffy, don't go worrying your pretty little head about all these complicated discussions

 

[Pjonah]

Luluna wrote:
I'm using a #3 Vandoren now - but it seems too soft after an hour of rehearsal - change reeds at the break to make it through the next hour.... I never remember doing that :?

What do you expect from 20 year old reeds! :laugh:

 

[peedee]

Pjonah wrote:

Luluna wrote:
I'm using a #3 Vandoren now - but it seems too soft after an hour of rehearsal - change reeds at the break to make it through the next hour.... I never remember doing that :?

What do you expect from 20 year old reeds! :laugh:

Should've soaked 'em in Vodka, or Gin, or moonshine for 20 yrs :laugh:

 

[TomMapfumo]

Maybe by that time Laluna had been soaked in Vodka! 😛