Mouthpieces Metal tenor mouthpiece

Bobby G · Oct 30, 2006

I'm tempted by the idea of a metal mpc for my Yani 900 tenor. At the moment I am using a Selmer Soloist but Ii feel I may need something else for when things get a bit rowdy. Any suggestions as to what's out there, etc? (I know these things are subjective but I may get some ideas)

Cheers, Bob

mfox · Oct 31, 2006

WAS ALWAYS A DUKOFF FAN. BUT I NOW LOVE YANIS. BUT LIG ISN'T GOOD(FOR MY LIKING ANYWAYS)

rs2sensen · Oct 31, 2006

I'm not a big metal-mouthpiece fan. I've got a Meyer Metal Jazz mouthpiece for my alto, and it sounds alright, but it takes a lot to get used to, and I still occasionally squeak on it. (when I first got it, lots of squeaks!) I think if I played on it more, those would completely go away, but really, it's no louder than any other mouthpiece I've used, it doesn't give a bigger sound. It is bright, which one wants in a jazz piece, but I just don't like the fact that I have to work harder to get the sound out of it that I want instead of a comparable rubber mouthpiece. Just my 2 cents.

jonf · Oct 31, 2006

I've got a variety of hard rubber and metal mouthpieces, but my favourite by far is a metal Lawton. Control, projection, tone, everything is great. It's easy to blow and has a fantastic built in ligature. Goes great on my Yani T992. I've had it for 24 years and I'd never be without it.

The only downside is that they're a bit pricey 🙁

tengu01 · Oct 31, 2006

Hey there Bob,

Lawtons are really good but as Jon says, they're a little pricey. If you just want something to cut through when things get rowdy, have you considered a jumbo java vandoren?

OK, it's not metal. I got one when I was in a funk band once with a hooligan drummer and bass player who's idea of turning it down was to have the volume set at 9.

The Jumbo Java is a real screamer. Really wouldn't suggest it for a gentle dinner jazz event or for classical. Too much danger of smashing the windows and any chance of being asked to play again.

However, for cutting through, it's hard to beat.

Additionally, it's a hell of a lot cheaper than a Lawton.

Good luck

Bobby G · Oct 31, 2006

tengu01 wrote:
Hey there Bob,

Lawtons are really good but as Jon says, they're a little pricey. If you just want something to cut through when things get rowdy, have you considered a jumbo java vandoren?

OK, it's not metal. I got one when I was in a funk band once with a hooligan drummer and bass player who's idea of turning it down was to have the volume set at 9.

The Jumbo Java is a real screamer. Really wouldn't suggest it for a gentle dinner jazz event or for classical. Too much danger of smashing the windows and any chance of being asked to play again.

However, for cutting through, it's hard to beat.

Additionally, it's a hell of a lot cheaper than a Lawton.

Good luck

Now this sounds quite appealing - relatively cheap (my kinda price 🙂 ) and loud. Plus, I love the sound of breaking glass >:)

Cheers, Nick Lowe

Bobby G · Nov 3, 2006

Bob Green wrote:

tengu01 wrote:
Hey there Bob,

Lawtons are really good but as Jon says, they're a little pricey. If you just want something to cut through when things get rowdy, have you considered a jumbo java vandoren?

OK, it's not metal. I got one when I was in a funk band once with a hooligan drummer and bass player who's idea of turning it down was to have the volume set at 9.

The Jumbo Java is a real screamer. Really wouldn't suggest it for a gentle dinner jazz event or for classical. Too much danger of smashing the windows and any chance of being asked to play again.

However, for cutting through, it's hard to beat.

Additionally, it's a hell of a lot cheaper than a Lawton.

Good luck

Read more…

Now this sounds quite appealing - relatively cheap (my kinda price 🙂 ) and loud. Plus, I love the sound of breaking glass

Cheers, Nick Lowe

Got one, love it :w00t:

Like you say, not much good for dinner jazz although it plays nicely at low volume, but does like being cranked up a bit >:)

It's a Jumbo Java T75, a slightly bigger tip opening than my Selmer Soloist, but I'm getting used to it, I have a bit of a tendency to squeak at the top end, say high B up. I imagine it's because of the bigger tip opening? Anyway, it's getting better. It's bright and edgy, but nice and full-sounding too.

Cheers, Bob

Bobby G · Nov 3, 2006

Errmmm, I may have got on better immediately with the next smaller tip opening (T55, I think), but in the longer term I think the T75 will be great. it is easy-blowing, I just need to spend a bit more time getting it right under control. It seems to be very flexible in terms of tone and volume.

Cheers, Bob

ken · Nov 3, 2006

Thanks for the info.

Pete Thomas · Nov 4, 2006

I used to have quite a few vandoren mouthpieces (I endorsed them a while ago) and I have to say they are very good, the Jumbo Java especially is very very loud.

Bobby G · Nov 5, 2006

Not only is it very very loud, with a good sound, you can play softly very very loud too, if you see what I mean.

Cheers, Bob

tengu01 · Nov 8, 2006

I personally found it a little difficult to control at lower volume levels. Great for subduing rowdy drummers and guitarists. Kind of spoils the ballad effect when the wineglasses keep smashing on high notes 🙂

I have one kicking around, but I haven't taken the time to really tame it because it's too cold to go outside and let rip. Playing quietly indoors feels like owning a thoroughbred racehorse and only using it to canter around in the garage.

Bob, you're a better man than me for getting that thing under control.

Bobby G · Nov 8, 2006

I'm still getting there, Tengu, but thanks for the encouragement. Also, I'm simultaneously taming my metal Brilhart on the alto, now I need something raucous for my sop 😉

Cheers, Bob

simonspill · Nov 16, 2006

Metal tenor mouthpiece? Gotta be an Otto Link. Still the hardest and sometimes the most inconsistent of all mouthpieces but by heck, when you learn to control it, it is the best!

_________________________________

Currently listening to Sonny Rollins playing My Reverie

Linky Lee · Nov 16, 2006

I absolutely adore Otto Link mouth piececes.

When I was shopping for a metal one for my Alto I tried out every mouthpiece I could think of and a few more down at saxophones.co.uk

I had about 10 mouthpieces on a table with three different reeds, a java, a La Voz and a Fredrick Hemke. I also had a Rovner dark and light ligature as they are my favorites.

I went through every one with every reed and every ligature combination. I then lined them up in order I liked them based on tone, response, intonation, resistance (I like a little, but not too much) and dynamic control.

The Otto Links had really good sounds, a nice bit of resistance, good intonation and lots of dynamics.
I think the Jody Jazz was really nice though, It had absolutely no resistance to it. It was the most free blowing mouthpiece ever! But I like a bit of resistance. It was also slightly too bright for my liking. It's intonation was very solid as well and the altissimo was soooooo easy.

I ended up preferring the Otto Link Super Tone Master 6 facing and another Otto Link over it after spending a good hour with each of the four best mouthpieces.

The point of that stupidly long and boring story was that Otto Links have that magic for me that no other brand had.

Every Otto Link I tried I loved and really enjoyed playing, even some Ebony mouthpieces that I tried.
The Meyers were nice but I found them slightly too resistant compared to the Otto Links.

Basically go down to a local a shop and give a few a try and you're quite likely to have an experience similar to mine where you find that one brand really works well with your sax, play style and set-up.

My set-up ended up with the Otto Link STM, Rovner light ligature and la voz mediums.

mfox · Nov 16, 2006

proof!! everybody likes somthing different!!!
i know OL are very popular but i hate them. there you go, i can't say more than that.. just my personal view..in 25 years playing i've never found one i like..
in my opinion dukoffs and yanigasawa are the bees knees , but thats just my opinion..yet i hate yanigasawa saxes (wierd ehh)

im glad were all different ,, ain't you?

Bobby G · Nov 17, 2006

mfox wrote:
proof!! everybody likes somthing different!!!
i know OL are very popular but i hate them. there you go, i can't say more than that.. just my personal view..in 25 years playing i've never found one i like..
in my opinion dukoffs and yanigasawa are the bees knees , but thats just my opinion..yet i hate yanigasawa saxes (wierd ehh)

im glad were all different ,, ain't you?

You got that right mfox! Oddly enough, I really like my 10-year-old Yani tenor, but the Yani metal tenor and alto pieces are not for me, although I'm getting to really love my metal mpc on the alto, a Brilhart. I took the advice offered earlier in this thread about trying a Jumbo Java on the tenor, and I'm getting to love that too - like the Brilhart it's lairy and will cut through if you want, but also plays nice and soft and round. You know, playing the saxophone is rather like making love to a beautiful woman....

Regards, Swiss Toni

mfox · Nov 17, 2006

brilhart's good kit

tengu01 · Nov 17, 2006

True. It's so individual. For LOUD and NASTY, I have found that Otto Links don't really work for me.

The Jumbo Java is definately LOUD and NASTY, but I prefer the sound of the link for jazz stuff.

What I found strange was that for alto, I really liked the sound of the alto link stm 5* and it sounded really good for recording. However, on stage with a funk band it really wasn't what the doctor ordered.

So I moved to a meyer ebonite 6m which worked just fine.

Funny old world...

Bobby G · Nov 17, 2006

Yeah, I like my Meyer 5 on the alto, it has a nice edge to it, and what Don Mackrill, who sold it to me, describes as 'belly'. But the metal Brilhart is coming up on the rails now that I can get a smoother sound when I want it. Then of course there's me dear old Selmer Soloist D....

Am I very flexible when it comes to mouthpieces, or just plain indecisive?

Once more unto the fence, dear friends.

Cheers, Bob