Mouthpiece reviews Kanee Mouthpiece Pass-Around - Tenor pieces reviews

[Halfers]

Horn: Yamaha YTS 280
Playing: 9 Months
Usual Mouthpiece: Yamaha 4C

My only experience of playing another mouthpiece is my teachers Otto Link and a Vandoren V16 T6, which I bought 4 Months ago. I don't like the sound I make on the Vandoren (too bright and brash and it's uncomfortable in my mouth). I fell victim to GAS and it didn't pay off!

The Pass Around box landed on my doorstep just as I was going out for a lesson, so I took the pieces with me to get some feedback from my Teacher. Pretty quickly, I found that the Florida 6 and Studio 7 were just too bright for me. They blew well and felt comfortable to play, but they were as bright, if not brighter than the sound I get from the Vandoren V16.

The 8* Florida produced a huge sound. A bit too big at first. My Teacher was concerned that the opening is huge for a newbie and I had a bit of a play before swapping back to my 4C for the rest of my lesson.

I decided to have another play yesterday and I found the Florida 6 and Studio 7 to still be too bright for me, even having swapped reeds around.

After a bit of a warm up, The Florida 8* started to produce a really nice sound. According to the website, this mouthpiece has a 0.115 inch opening, which is twice that of my 4C. However, it doesn't feel huge in the mouth. In fact it feels more comfortable than the Vandoren v16, which has a considerably smaller opening.

I like the sound I get from this. It's nice and warm without the brashness I get from the V16. Low notes are punchy and the highs pop out. Articulation is easy and I didn't find the large opening had any negative impact on my embouchure. I swapped a few reeds. A Vandoren ZZ 3 was too hard. A Alexander Superial 2 was too soft. A Vandoren Java 2 was a bit buzzy (could get some interesting noises out of this when I started pushing it). Best reed for me was a Vandoren Traditional 2.5. My newbie attempts at growling and overtones, bending notes etc produced good results.

I can't speak from a great deal of experience of playing different mouth pieces, but I can say that the Florida 8* allowed me, for the first time to feel like I was expressing myself, rather than just playing. It's a lot more versatile than the Yam 4C and I found it great fun to play. I'd be interested in trying out the 6* or 7 pieces as I feel in the long run, these might be a better choice, if they produced the same sound as the 8* does.
I'm going to have another play around tomorrow. Thanks for the opportunity

Just an addition to the above, as I've had a further play around this morning. This time I concentrated on the written pieces I have been set by my Teacher. I am always more relaxed and fluent while 'noodling' away, rather than concentrating on reading a piece. It's noticeable that the 8* Mouthpiece is more difficult for me to play when concentrating on a piece. Probably because I tense up more. As a result I found my embouchure tiring a little more quickly. Switching over to the smaller pieces, although the sound isn't quite what I'm looking for the 6* and 7 feel more comfortable in the mouth and I would probably go with a 6* in the Large Chamber Florida.

 

[kevgermany]

If you keep with the 8 for a few weeks, you'll probably find it as easy as the others. But not if you keep switching. Dropping a half strength on the reed may help your embouchure.

 

[Keep Blowing]

Just an addition to the above, as I've had a further play around this morning. This time I concentrated on the written pieces I have been set by my Teacher. I am always more relaxed and fluent while 'noodling' away, rather than concentrating on reading a piece. It's noticeable that the 8* Mouthpiece is more difficult for me to play when concentrating on a piece. Probably because I tense up more. As a result I found my embouchure tiring a little more quickly. Switching over to the smaller pieces, although the sound isn't quite what I'm looking for the 6* and 7 feel more comfortable in the mouth and I would probably go with a 6* in the Large Chamber Florida.

Thank you very much for your feed back, it sounds as though it has been worthwhile trying the Mouthpieces

keep blowin'
Russ

 

[Alice]

Did your teacher try them?

Mine wouldn't touch them. She's very classical in her sound concept, not adventurous at all when it comes to gear and she frowns everytime I show up with a new mouthpiece. Yesterday I came with a white Brilhart Tonalin, so she spotted the 'loony' immediately! And was scared to hear what came out of it... But that's a relatively closed one and despite the small baffle I added with bluetack it's far from being a screamer.

But I'll definitely bring the Kanees when I get them. Starting with the brightest, just to have a bit of fun!

A few years ago, I surprised her with a Meyer G on Alto and it was hilarious...

She's young and very nice, but soooo conservative when it comes to saxophone sound and gear.

She’s going to need Botox if she wants to teach you (with your hundreds of mouthpieces) and still remain young looking 😛

 

[saxyjt]

Experience: Amateur, 6 years and too many mouthpieces and probably too many horns in that short period.

I'm currently focussing on Tenor, so that was an interesting exercise. It took me loner than expected to find a reed that could do all 3 mouthpieces without struggling too much with any of them. I like to use the same reed when comparing mouthpieces. This time I used a Rico Royal 2,5.

I didn't get along so well with the Florida 6*. Same as the alto. I couldn't get an even tone across the range. Well, it didn't really work for me.

But I liked the Florida 8* a lot. Easy to play and with a full and warm sound. It worked very well at the low end and I could enjoy walking up and down the sub-tones like never before... I may be luck, but I've had sub-tones on my list of things to improve and it came right there.

I also liked the Studio very much. So much fun to play! Maybe not suitable for all styles, but I mused at "my heart belongs to daddy" on it and it was great.

So there again, I'm adding those two (Florida 8* and Studio 7) to my wish list to make my collection more fun.

 

[Keep Blowing]

Experience: Amateur, 6 years and too many mouthpieces and probably too many horns in that short period.

I'm currently focussing on Tenor, so that was an interesting exercise. It took me loner than expected to find a reed that could do all 3 mouthpieces without struggling too much with any of them. I like to use the same reed when comparing mouthpieces. This time I used a Rico Royal 2,5.

I didn't get along so well with the Florida 6*. Same as the alto. I couldn't get an even tone across the range. Well, it didn't really work for me.

But I liked the Florida 8* a lot. Easy to play and with a full and warm sound. It worked very well at the low end and I could enjoy walking up and down the sub-tones like never before... I may be luck, but I've had sub-tones on my list of things to improve and it came right there.

I also liked the Studio very much. So much fun to play! Maybe not suitable for all styles, but I mused at "my heart belongs to daddy" on it and it was great.
Thank you very much for your review and I am very pleased you have enjoyed trying them, I notice you use Rico Royals. these are my preferred Reed on the Kanee's


So there again, I'm adding those two (Florida 8* and Studio 7) to my wish list to make my collection more fun.

When you are ready to add them to your collection let me know,
Tenor Mouthpieces. are £88.50,
Alto Mouthpieces are £79.50
Free postage in the U.K, postage to France will be no more than £9.50
For every Mouthpiece sold here I will donate £5 to the Café
Anyone interested please PC me

 

[Jeanette]

For every Mouthpiece sold here I will donate £5 to the Café

Thanks Russ

Jx

 

[SaxDon]

Hi there, any chance of trying these tenor pieces out? Intrigued. Thanks

 

[Keep Blowing]

Hi there, any chance of trying these tenor pieces out? Intrigued. Thanks

That's fine Don, they are on the way to Karolis in Lithuania, then to Jeanette, and you are now next on the list.
The Alto's and Tenors are all together.

 

[Karolis]

23 years woodwind, of which 11 - saxophone.
Sax - Trevor James Horn 88
Ligature - Rovner MK III
Reed - Vandoren Jazz 2.5, Juno 2, Hemke 2.

First impressions: love the studio 7! plays with ease, as soon as you get the sound you want to have fun with it. Which I did! I liked the tenor Dáddario’s when I tested them, but didn’t want to get one, this one got me thinking… for the price it’s a great mouthpiece. I do get more depth from my metal Berg, but this has different qualities (like quicker response) and sound colours to it.

The 8* - played a couple of notes on it and went back to the studio 7. It was too dark for me, perhaps with the right reed selection...

The 6* florida reminded me of the Jody Jazz I used to have. Nice piece, but I found the studio 7 to be the best of them.

Here is a little Kanee Latin Jam with studio 7:


DeadAudiolink Removed

 

[Halfers]

23 years woodwind, of which 11 - saxophone.
Sax - Trevor James Horn 88
Ligature - Rovner MK III
Reed - Vandoren Jazz 2.5, Juno 2, Hemke 2.

First impressions: love the studio 7! plays with ease, as soon as you get the sound you want to have fun with it. Which I did! I liked the tenor Dáddario’s when I tested them, but didn’t want to get one, this one got me thinking… for the price it’s a great mouthpiece. I do get more depth from my metal Berg, but this has different qualities (like quicker response) and sound colours to it.

The 8* - played a couple of notes on it and went back to the studio 7. It was too dark for me, perhaps with the right reed selection...

The 6* florida reminded me of the Jody Jazz I used to have. Nice piece, but I found the studio 7 to be the best of them.

Here is a little Kanee Latin Jam with studio 7:


DeadAudiolink Removed

You sound great!

 

[Keep Blowing]

23 years woodwind, of which 11 - saxophone.
Sax - Trevor James Horn 88
Ligature - Rovner MK III
Reed - Vandoren Jazz 2.5, Juno 2, Hemke 2.

First impressions: love the studio 7! plays with ease, as soon as you get the sound you want to have fun with it. Which I did! I liked the tenor Dáddario’s when I tested them, but didn’t want to get one, this one got me thinking… for the price it’s a great mouthpiece. I do get more depth from my metal Berg, but this has different qualities (like quicker response) and sound colours to it.

The 8* - played a couple of notes on it and went back to the studio 7. It was too dark for me, perhaps with the right reed selection...

The 6* florida reminded me of the Jody Jazz I used to have. Nice piece, but I found the studio 7 to be the best of them.

Here is a little Kanee Latin Jam with studio 7:


DeadAudiolink Removed

Thanks for the review Karolis and thanks for the great Kanee Latin Jam

 

[saxyjt]

Sounds really good @Karolis !

Reading your review, I'd say that starting with the Studio may have been a mistake!

Don't get me wrong, you're a much more experience player thank am, but if I going to taste wine or cheese, I'll start with the softest, mildest one to avoid burning my palate.

That's what I suggested my guests, when I had them over to try the Kanees. Starting with the 6, then on to the 8 and only then go for the studio.

I liked the 8, but if I had tasted it after the Studio it might have sounded really dull in comparison. The way I remember it, it wasn't. It may also have to do with the acoustics of my room that's not optimized (yet)! 😉

 

[Keep Blowing]

Sounds really good @Karolis !

Reading your review, I'd say that starting with the Studio may have been a mistake!

Don't get me wrong, you're a much more experience player thank am, but if I going to taste wine or cheese, I'll start with the softest, mildest one to avoid burning my palate.

That's what I suggested my guests, when I had them over to try the Kanees. Starting with the 6, then on to the 8 and only then go for the studio.

I liked the 8, but if I had tasted it after the Studio it might have sounded really dull in comparison. The way I remember it, it wasn't. It may also have to do with the acoustics of my room that's not optimized (yet)! 😉

I hadn't thought about a tasting order.

 

[saxyjt]

I hadn't thought about a tasting order.

So, now that I mention it. What's your take on it? Does it make sense?

 

[Halfers]

So, now that I mention it. What's your take on it? Does it make sense?

For me, it didn't make any difference the order I played them. I was stripping paint with the Studio piece and the medium chamber Florida was also a bit brash for me. Only one sounded 'right'. I reckon @Karolis must push out some dark air as he can tame that Studio piece beautifully.

 

[Keep Blowing]

So, now that I mention it. What's your take on it? Does it make sense?

You could look at the other way, some people seem to have got a bit of a shock trying the Studios last, I would personally recommend starting with the New York and Florida and then the Studios, when I first tried them I went round and round with them until the Medium Chambers became my favourites, my current favourite is the New York large Chamber

 

[Karolis]

Reading your review, I'd say that starting with the Studio may have been a mistake!

I reckon @Karolis must push out some dark air as he can tame that Studio piece beautifully.

IMHO it's all about reed - mouthpiece matchups. The ones I had with me at the time of tryouts matched the studio best. I liked the 6 also, but needed a harder reed for it.
Maybe that dark air that Halfers mentioned didn't get along with the 8 parmesan...
To give a thorough review, I would have to play each mouthpiece for a month in different environments, with different reeds. I'm sure they all are great, 7 just suited me from the box, others needed adjustments.