Mouthpieces Meyer 5 alto

[alto andy]

Just borrowing a Meyer at the moment and I must say I am really happy with it plays nice on my vintage sax . I'm happy that I have trying it as I will be going to howarth and sax .co.uk to try some more out if I can't find anything else I would be happy with the Meyer 5 .

 

[MartinL]

Just borrowing a Meyer at the moment and I must say I am really happy with it plays nice on my vintage sax . I'm happy that I have trying it as I will be going to howarth and sax .co.uk to try some more out if I can't find anything else I would be happy with the Meyer 5 .

I've tried a few different pieces on the Alto and settled on a Mayer 5 too... Not my choice on the Tenor though.

 

[alto andy]

Hi Martin I haven't tryed many just the yamaha 4c that I was already playing and I did have a go on a brillhart but did not like it but it was a modern cheap one . There is a few I would still like to try but I want one that is not to hard to blow as I am new to the sax . The reason for switching from the 4 c is to make my king cleavland play more in tune although I am aware it is also my weak embrouchre that I have been working on and my teacher says is improving . I look forward to trying a few at the sax shops in London maybe v16 or selmer soloist or Jodie jazz etc .

 

[MMM]

...and if you want something louder that will not break the bank, try a Rousseau JDX, I've been very happy with mine.
Cheers,
M.

 

[alto andy]

I have just been looking at them the problem is they all get such a good recommendation that it just comes down to trying a whole load out the shops are going to hate me . Like you say at around £90 they sound very reasonable . I suppose it's far to early to say what kind of sound I want to produce but my favourite sound is the stuff on jam sessions kind of jazz blues my favourite album is the charlie parker jam sessions . I also really like the romantic sound of charlie parker with strings . I am however just starting to look at other artists that are more modern and have been blown away 🙂

 

[kevgermany]

Mayb look at something with a large/larger chamber. I hated the sound of a Meyer on my Kohlert, although a vintage Brilhart sounded wonderful. Selmer soloist has a nice sweet tone, but not as sweet as the old Brilhart. The bigger tipped Selmers have a sharp/short facing curve, which makes them hard work compared to some. But the C/D are OK. Not sure about the Es.

 

[TomMapfumo]

The Phil-Tone Custom Meyer is the mouthpiece to get if you like the Meyer 5. Dick Hamer stocks them in UK and is happy for them to be taken on trial before purchase - Mouthpieces South Wales Woodwind Other ones to consider are made by Aaron Drake, Mouthpiece Cafe, Ed Pillinger and similar, which are not available at sax.co.uk to my knowledge.

 

[MMM]

Mayb look at something with a large/larger chamber. I hated the sound of a Meyer on my Kohlert, although a vintage Brilhart sounded wonderful. Selmer soloist has a nice sweet tone, but not as sweet as the old Brilhart. The bigger tipped Selmers have a sharp/short facing curve, which makes them hard work compared to some. But the C/D are OK. Not sure about the Es.

True enough: a great mpiece may not work so well on a certain sax... as the OP rightly says, try and compare!
Have fun!

 

[MMM]

comes down to trying a whole load out the shops are going to hate me .

Not if you tell them what you'd like to try in advance and book a day/time, of course if you just turn up on a Saturday wanting to try out 5/6 pieces, maybe they won't be too happy! Also if you ask which is likely to be a quiet day to test some pieces, you'll get more assistance and probably suggestions from resident player(s).

 

[Saxdiva]

Hi, don't know who your local shop are and what sort of stock they have but sax.co.uk in Sussex will be happy for you to drop in and try as many as you wish, and they have a huge stock. Same situation in their central London store but probably very busy at weekends. I loved the Meyer but liked the Otto Link even more on my alto. Litte bit harder work but fabulous tone.

Dawkes in Maidenhead do a 7 day mouthpiece trial - although you pay upfront, you can order a couple of mouthpieces (or several), and you pay £3 only for each one you return as a restocking fee. That way you can try them for a longer period in the place you normally practice. I'm now on the search for an upgrade to my 4c on tenor and that's the way I'll do it.

Not if you tell them what you'd like to try in advance and book a day/time, of course if you just turn up on a Saturday wanting to try out 5/6 pieces, maybe they won't be too happy! Also if you ask which is likely to be a quiet day to test some pieces, you'll get more assistance and probably suggestions from resident player(s).

 

[MartinL]

Hi Martin I haven't tryed many just the yamaha 4c that I was already playing and I did have a go on a brillhart but did not like it but it was a modern cheap one . There is a few I would still like to try but I want one that is not to hard to blow as I am new to the sax . The reason for switching from the 4 c is to make my king cleavland play more in tune although I am aware it is also my weak that I have been working on and my teacher says is improving . I look forward to trying a few at the sax shops in London maybe v16 or selmer soloist or Jodie jazz etc .

To be honest if all you have tried is the Yamaha and the Mayer then perhaps you need to try a few more before being certain but I'm surprised you are having trouble with tuning on the Yam, these are usually recommended for beginners by teachers because they are easy (easier) to keep in tune. I would say stick with the choice you have made until you have developed your embouchure a bit more or you will end up spending a lot of money chasing a problem that is only in your mind.

 

[TomMapfumo]

I have just been looking at them the problem is they all get such a good recommendation that it just comes down to trying a whole load out the shops are going to hate me . Like you say at around £90 they sound very reasonable . I suppose it's far to early to say what kind of sound I want to produce but my favourite sound is the stuff on jam sessions kind of jazz blues my favourite album is the charlie parker jam sessions . I also really like the romantic sound of charlie parker with strings . I am however just starting to look at other artists that are more modern and have been blown away 🙂

You could always get Charlie Parker's original mouthpiece - a Runyon 22, which is stocked by sax.co.uk (http://www.sax.co.uk/acatalog/Runyon-22-for-Alto.html) for £37 and eastcoastwind.co.uk (Deadimage removed) for £30.

 

[alto andy]

To be honest if all you have tried is the Yamaha and the Mayer then perhaps you need to try a few more before being certain but I'm surprised you are having trouble with tuning on the Yam, these are usually recommended for beginners by teachers because they are easy (easier) to keep in tune. I would say stick with the choice you have made until you have developed your embouchure a bit more or you will end up spending a lot of money chasing a problem that is only in your mind.

hi Martin the 4c is a great mouthpiece that's not the problem it just doesn't go with my sax I did a lot of research into the sax that I have and that's we're I got the idea of changing the mouthpiece to something based on a vintage piece 🙂 .

 

[alto andy]

You could always get Charlie Parker's original mouthpiece - a Runyon 22, which is stocked by sax.co.uk (http://www.sax.co.uk/acatalog/Runyon-22-for-Alto.html) for £37 and eastcoastwind.co.uk (Deadimage removed) for £30.

Cheers Tom I like your thinking and the fact you try less expensive pieces not just the fancy ones I will have a look at a few and then make my mind up I guess I will know when the right one comes along . Then I suppose it's just sticking with it and making it work for me 🙂 .

 

[TomMapfumo]

Cheers Tom I like your thinking and the fact you try less expensive pieces not just the fancy ones I will have a look at a few and then make my mind up I guess I will know when the right one comes along . Then I suppose it's just sticking with it and making it work for me 🙂 .

Here is my recent review of the Windcraft Etude: http://cafesaxophone.com/showthread.php?7025-Alto-Sax-mouthpiece-review-Windcraft-Etude . It is my top recommendation under £50!

Also: http://cafesaxophone.com/showthread.php?9369-Windcraft-Etude

 

[alto andy]

Who would you guys say is better to visit for best service sax.co.uk or howarth !!

 

[ProfJames]

Why not try the one that is closest?

 

[kevgermany]

Who would you guys say is better to visit for best service sax.co.uk or howarth !!

Both seem to have excellent reputations. Haven't tried either myself.

 

[alto andy]

Why not try the one that is closest?

I have allegro on my doorstep but won't find much in there plus I love London and will be having dinner there .

 

[ProfJames]

Then use sax.co.uk in London. Great place, nice people and also a great service on line. You will have a good time as well.