MPC Tip Opening Question

[GsySaxMan]

Moved from alto to tenor a few months back, played a Vandoren V16 on the alto which I liked as compared to a Runyon 22.

Playing a Runyon 22 Ten on the tenor now, tip opening one zero three (have to spell as in Hungary with funny keyboard). Thinking of getting a V V16 for tenor T7 one zero six, but maybe invest in T8 one one zero to develop into.

Play Legere Signature 2 on tenor at the moment, but feels as though I might need a 2.25 as it shuts on me when I blow hard.

Been playing about a year now and making resonable progress I think, but was wondering what the general consensus might be about tip opening size.

Unfortunately I live in Guernsey so dont have the luxury of going to sax.co.uk or another shop to try several pieces.

Any thoughts gratefully received.

Cheers,

 

[TomMapfumo]

Hi There!

What is the size of the Alto tip opening? When I have tried V16 mouthpieces I played an A7m on Alto and a T8 on Tenor. I find that I usually play 0.076" - 0.080" on Alto and 0.102" - 0.112" on Tenor. The T8 is a pretty good piece, but there are also lots of similar types out there which may eclipse it. The Ponzol Vintage, Barone Vintage and Morgan Vintage all have an edge sound wise IMO, but the V16 T8 would be a good choice. There are good used options around, if you know where to look (SOTW is a good market place).

The step up from 0.103" to 0.110" is not huge, and the Legere that you have might well work better with a larger tip opening. I'd think about posting a "Wanted" notice in the Yard Sale to see if there are any V16's out there.

What sort of soundare you after? This may help in giving you some better direction. I've assumed "Vintage sound" but that might not be accurate.

Kind regards
Tom

 

[jazzdoh]

If you buy mouthpieces from Howarths of london they give you a trial period so you can send for the 2 different size mouthpieces,pick the one you want and send the other back,all it costs you is the postage.

Not sure whether sax.co.uk do that.

Brian

 

[Saxlicker]

Been playing about a year now and making resonable progress I think, but was wondering what the general consensus might be about tip opening size.


Any thoughts gratefully received.

Cheers,

Tip openings.....
Well I think its all about what you are getting from a certain size and whether what you are getting is what you want.
OK that may sound obvious but i'm trying to say don't get hooked up on what what suits some one else.
If you have control, flexibility and comfort with enough power then you are on the right track. That may come from any of the sizes you mention in your post.
Just as a point of reference though, 7* otto links (105) or one zero five ;} in your case at the moment is very common.
Neither 103 or 110 are at extreme ends so they bode well.
I gigged in a very loud set up for over 14 years and wanted wide (115) tips with high baffles.
That is finished and I now consider 105 to 108 to be on the money for all my needs and my sound has improved beyond my own expectation. Choose to your needs.
Also remember, a mouthpiece at your stage of playing will contribute to a larger % of the sound than it will for some one whose chops are more developed.
Good Luck.
PS good point by Jazzdoh!

 

[TomMapfumo]

If you buy mouthpieces from Howarths of london they give you a trial period so you can send for the 2 different size mouthpieces,pick the one you want and send the other back,all it costs you is the postage.

Not sure whether sax.co.uk do that.

Brian

They don't.

 

[GsySaxMan]

Thanks for the advice guys and aplogies for the delay in replying, been travelling back from Hungary to Guernsey via my parents in Kent who not being "silver surfers" dont have net access.

Think I am going to go for the T7 106, which at my level will last a few years and then we will see what my chops are like then.

Good tip about Howarths Jazzdoh, I will check that option out to have a blow on both seems a smart move.

Cheers,

 

[GsySaxMan]

Hi Tom,

To answer your questions specifically the alto was a A7 S, and reading your post again has made me think wthter I should go for the T8. Sound I am trying to develop (with a long way to go) is along the lines of Grover Washington withn a soulful but edgy tone.

The main problem I am expereincing now after swicthing from alto a few months back is sounding the 2nd maybe 3rd harmonic on a lot of the low notes and the middle G warbling, which I think is due to an embouchure that's not relaxed enough after the alto.

Think I will get hold of both the T7 and T8 from Howarths and see what difference that makes to the problem notes.

Thanks again, now back to the practice room....

 

[kevgermany]

G seems to be the hardest note on the tenor. I found tuning the sax accurately to that note helped a lot (concert F if your tuner doesn't do Bb).

 

[GsySaxMan]

Hi Kevgermany,

Yes low G seems ok and I get concert F on my Korg within 10 cents or so, but middle G and G # are causing me some angst.

Not sure if it's the sax, my embouchure, breath support, MPC and/or reed type and strength.

Sadly no teachers here on the island so have to plug away on my todd and hope to sort it myself, which can get frustrating sometimes.

Thanks for the post anyway, I know how many you must get to deal with being a moderator.

Cheers,

 

[kevgermany]

Middle G - G+octave - caused me a lot of grief for ages. Tuning, leaks, support were all issues. I thought it was greatly improved by a change of mouthpiece to a PPT, but it came back... Was really sorting out the technical stuff (watch for touching the lh palm keys) and me.... So keep at it!