jonf
Well-Known Member
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Just received a couple of alto Bari Esprit II mouhtpieces, and a soprano Esprit in the post this morning. Three new mouthpieces, boxed, with ligatures and caps, delivered for thirty odd quid. Great service from John Packer, too.
Altos
I bought these to go with a couple of student alto saxes I'll be selling soon. The mouthpieces with these saxes were so poor I'd feel ashamed selling them. So, I tried one of the Baris with my usual RJS 2H, on a Hanson Gulf. Worked quite well, decent range of tone and tuning. I found the narrow tip opening a bit stifling, and I prefer a bit more brightness to the tone, but overall, pretty good. Miles better than the awful moulded plastic thing which came with the sax. Bottom Bb up to F# was all fine. Altissimo just about worked, very thin, I think either a bigger tip opening or a harder reed would be needed for me to play up there on this piece. Obviously this isn't an issue for a student. Tuning sounded OK right through, no issues at all. Not as loud a my normal piece, but that's to be expected. Actually quite a nice tone, bit like a Jody Jazz ebonite. So, all good for the money (very little money!).
Soprano
Used a RJS 3S on a BW curvy and an Elkhart curvy. Well, what can I say. This is actually a very good mouthpiece. Stands up fine against any competition at any price. Nice smooth tone with a bit of edge, played nicely in tune right through the range up to the palm keys. I have kids whose ears still work, so I wouldn't go up to altissimo on a sop. I felt immediately at home with this mouthpiece, and would be happy playing it any time. Tip opening is a bit smaller than I'm used to, but I didn't find it as noticable as on the alto, and not a problem at all. Absolute bargain. Think I'll order another one to keep as a spare mouthpiece for myself.
Final point, appearance. They even look quite nice, with a subtle matt finish and gold and red lettering. They both look and sound as if they cost a lot more than they really do.
Altos
I bought these to go with a couple of student alto saxes I'll be selling soon. The mouthpieces with these saxes were so poor I'd feel ashamed selling them. So, I tried one of the Baris with my usual RJS 2H, on a Hanson Gulf. Worked quite well, decent range of tone and tuning. I found the narrow tip opening a bit stifling, and I prefer a bit more brightness to the tone, but overall, pretty good. Miles better than the awful moulded plastic thing which came with the sax. Bottom Bb up to F# was all fine. Altissimo just about worked, very thin, I think either a bigger tip opening or a harder reed would be needed for me to play up there on this piece. Obviously this isn't an issue for a student. Tuning sounded OK right through, no issues at all. Not as loud a my normal piece, but that's to be expected. Actually quite a nice tone, bit like a Jody Jazz ebonite. So, all good for the money (very little money!).
Soprano
Used a RJS 3S on a BW curvy and an Elkhart curvy. Well, what can I say. This is actually a very good mouthpiece. Stands up fine against any competition at any price. Nice smooth tone with a bit of edge, played nicely in tune right through the range up to the palm keys. I have kids whose ears still work, so I wouldn't go up to altissimo on a sop. I felt immediately at home with this mouthpiece, and would be happy playing it any time. Tip opening is a bit smaller than I'm used to, but I didn't find it as noticable as on the alto, and not a problem at all. Absolute bargain. Think I'll order another one to keep as a spare mouthpiece for myself.
Final point, appearance. They even look quite nice, with a subtle matt finish and gold and red lettering. They both look and sound as if they cost a lot more than they really do.