S80 alternative

[Linky Lee]

I love my Selmer S80 C* It's fantastic and I've never found a mouthpiece that betters it.

I recently tried an Ottolink tone edge 7 but didn't get on with it (very unusual as I like Ottolinks as a general rule) so I'm a bit dissapointed now.

I need something similar to my S80 but with a jazzier, darker sound. The S80 is very piercing as it is so clean and bright.

I was thinking that The Soloist and S90 both look good, though I think the S90 is more of the same.

What do you guys think. Any experiences with them?

 

[jambo]

I havent tryed them, but an idea would be to try out a Vadoeren V16 or JAVA. They should have a jazzy sound

Thats site music123 has them for around 40-50 quid.

You could get one, try it, and if you dont like it it will be easy to sell on ebay (you would probly get the money you paid for it back)

There is also the Claude Lakey Models (I used to have one). They come in various sizes, dont cost too much and are very easy to play.

 

[Bobby G]

I've tried a Lakey on my alto, it was very bright. I have Selmer Soloists on my alto and tenor and love them both. I find them quite flexible, capable of darker or brighter tones, and the cost is quite reasonable. If you want to spend a little more, Meyers are good too, I have a Medium chamber 5, which could be considered 'jazzy', although sometimes I'm not sure what that means as to me a mouthpiece either gives me a sound I want or it doesn't, and if I like the sound I get from one mpc across various styles I can't really consider it a 'jazz' mpc.

The Jumbo Java I use in anger on my tenor has a sound that cuts through well, and it's loud, but it's also flexible enough to go darker.

We've had opinion recently that you can get 'your' sound out of any mouthpiece, or that if you play a mouthpiece for any length of time you will always end up sounding like yourself. Perhaps this is true to some extent, in which case the search for a suitable mouthpiece may be as much to do with what feels comfortable as it is to do with what sounds good to your ears.

Cheers, Bob

 

[Pete Thomas]

I'd try a Soloist and a Java (not Jumbo Java)

 

[Linky Lee]

Yeah, I believe in this 'your sound comes through' thing but the mouthpiece still has a great affect, it changes the feel of the horn, it's response in different areas and emphasis certain aspects of your playing more than others.

i.e. A bright cutting mouthpiece will pick up heavily on your articulation and push your tone brighter.
A darker and smoother mouthpiece will colour your sound to give it that full presence and let the lower harmonics pop through more than the higher ones.

You're still going to sound like yourself, just the mouthpiece will let you direct your sound in a more focused manner to a particular aspect.

 

[griff136]

you could also try a ralph morgan excaliber bit pricey tho - and my one isnt for sale!

Best advice I could give is to go to a music shop like Myalls in croydon (I work there) or Howarths and you will be able to try as many pieces as you like.
Whittle them down to a few - say 3 or 4 then leave your credit card details and you will be able to take them away for a fortnights approval. no charge if the pieces are damage free and you use a mouthpiece patch.


The thing with mouthpieces are theyre a personal thing and what works for someone doesnt necessarily work for others.

good luck linky and let us know how you get on.