Reedy rock sax sound

[usn694]

Hey sax fam. I've been experimenting with reeds and mouthpieces to find that reedy sound that so many rock sax players have. I'm getting close, but what do I have to do?

 

[kevgermany]

Try a Berg

 

[Jules]

Hi. Can you give us some more information- what's your current set up, how long have you been playing and are playing with a band (reason I added the last is that most rock sax players are playing Loud.... sticking a lot of air through your horn to be heard of drums and amps is, for better or worse, a big part of a lot of rockers' sounds)

 

[usn694]

I played through high school and on and off when i was in the navy. I got out in 08 and I started going to school for music in 09. I'm currently in a rock cover band. I play on a Otto link 7 star with a vandoren 3.

 

[usn694]

Ive tried some Bergs and I like what I hear. That will be my next move.

 

[TomMapfumo]

I would go for a Runyon Quantum, metal or rubber, and use an American cut reed - like an Alexander NY 2.5/3.0. Are you a tenor or alto sax player? A Berg 1 chamber should be fine if you take that route but I would try a Runyon Quantum, which has the advantage of a removable baffle, so that you can play brighter or darker as you wish! I regularly use the Quantum on alto and it is great with rock music.

 

[Kingsleyhk]

I play with a rock cover band with all the problems of cutting through guitars who keep turning their bloody amps up - see Spinal Tap!

I used a Link for a long time and then changed to a Dukoff D7 - magic! Instant increase in "brightness". The only criticism of the Dukoff that I have is that it looks awful - the metal scratches so easily and goes very dull. But a small price to play for a great sound.

Also get yourself a bell mike - and get a good soundman to tell you how to set it up.

 

[wagtenor]

Excellent tips provided here. Must agree that full setup is critical. Just repadded my YTS-82z about 2 months ago with Saxgourmet pads and maestro air tight gold plated metal resonators. There was an adjustment period for me - embouchure, reeds, mouthpiece, airstream etc.. but the change is awesome. The horn is still sweet and mellow when played low to mid volume, but screams and cuts beautifully when pushed. Now play with TW Gaia Gold mp and Legere Signature series 2.75 reeds and saxgourmet neck.

Don't know what your full setup is but thought I'd share my experience.

Best wishes...

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2

 

[thomsax]

The mouthpiece+ reed setup is a very personal thing. A setup that works for me, maybe is complete wrong for you. I know rocksax players that are playing with a mouthpiece that most of us would consider to be a classic mouthpiece (big chamber, no baffle…). But most rocksaxplayers are blowing into a medium-small chamber mouthpiece with a baffle. Dukoff X/D/S chamber, Berg Larsen 0/1 chamber …. . I think it’s easier to blow the high screaming tones with mouthpieces like these.

I played Dukoff and Berg Larsen for a long time but my current tenor setup is a Rovner Deep-V D40 # 8 with Rico plasticcover baritone reeds # 4 -5. But LaVoz MH/H and Vandoren V16 #4 also worked for me. Another good reed for me was Zonda.

If you want a reedy (woody?), raspy, raw ...... tone you have to to work for it. The mouthpiece just helps you up.

Thomas

 

[usn694]

Thanks for the info everyone!