Mouthpieces Nice Mellow Mouthpiece for a King Super 20 Silversonic

[freddysilk]

I've tried various mouthpieces and for some reason didn't like the tone or didn't like the feel of the mouthpiece. Can anyone give me any suggestions for a good mouthpiece for a King Super 20 alto? I'm not looking for an edgy mouthpiece and I play either a 6 or a 7 depending on the mouthpiece. I would like to have a focused tone and the Vandoren Java is the closest to giving me almost perfect intonation but it seems to squeak right before I play a note. I'm using the A45 and tried both a 2 1/2 and a 3 reed and the same result. I do miss my Berg Larsen that was stolen but don't know if it's a good match for the Super 20

Any suggestions would be appreciated. I also got the sax overhauled, adjusted, and new Selmer pads added along with getting all of the leaks fixed so I know it's not the horn.

 

[TomMapfumo]

A Jody Jazz HR* 6 or 7 would be my top recommendation, but I'm only from UK so what do I know. I recently tried a Berg 115/2 grained ebonite on Tenor (comparing with my Java T55) and it was noticeably brighter and edgier. For me it may be that the squeak issue may be because of a change from HR to Metal (I assume the Dukoff is metal)

Having just started playing tenor (I use a Super Session on Alto) I found the switch to a larger HR mouthpiece was full of squeaks. Having started to use a smaller metal tenor I am almost entirely squeak free and play with a smaller embouchure. I am simply saying that it took a short while to adapt my embouchure to the larger tenor HR's, which is fine now.

I certainly would try the JJ, though. Or a Super Session E/F facing if funds allow (in UK I can get the JJ for ?65.00 but the cheapest SS is about ?100).

Kind regards
Tom

 

[freddysilk]

Actually it's for my alto. I tested out a few mouthpieces yesterday (Vandoren V16, Meyer, Otto Link, Lakey, and others) but the Meyer 6M gave me the full lush sound I was after and there were no squeaks. I tested it with a tuner and the intonation was dead on for the most part. There were a few notes that were a couple of cents off but I loved the eveness from top to bottom and the ease of playing. For some reason, I tend to squeak a little on any Vandoren I try, regardless of size or model. I could live with it but it's too dark for me and didn't bring out the true "soul" of the Super 20.

Next, I will try one for my tenor and see if I get the same qualities when I don't want the edginess of my Dukoff. You can say it's a trade off of what type of tone I'm looking for based on my mood when I practice.

Thanks for the advice though.

 

[saxismyaxe]

The Meyer would be a good choice. The JJ HR*, while a fantastic piece, is a medium chamber and thus a bit bright. You want a large chamber, low baffle piece.

As a fellow H. N. White King fan myself, I can say accurately that the King horns are not exactly suited to those seeking a more "mellow" sound model. Indeed they pack a wallop and are far from a shrinking violet as saxophone makes/models go.

 

[freddysilk]

I agree that it packs a wallop but it's a smooth and somewhat loud wallop but it has sort of a silky but in your face type tone. With the loudness I can get from it, I don't want any edge at all in the tone. I've tried other horns that are similar in tone but they tend to thin out a little in the upper register while I can beef up the Super 20's upper register a little with the Meyer.

I'm glad I'm not the only one here who's a fan of the vintage Super 20's. In fact, I'm saving up for a Super 20 tenor but I know that will be many months of savings and luck finding a good one.