Mouthpieces Selmer Mark VII Alto Classical Mouthpiece Recommendation?

[DesertRoads]

I play Yamaha and Selmer Alto Saxophones. The Yamaha is easy to play and is a good flexible workhorse. I enjoy the tonal color of the Selmer, and am curious what would be a good mouthpiece recommendation for playing classical music? I compared it to a YAMAHA YAS-875EX and they have similar tonal color and resistance. I don't have a classical mouthpiece right now, and am looking for a good piece that works well in playing the lower notes at pianissimo up to D above the staff on a Mark VII Alto? I know it's a big sounding Saxophone, so wrangling in the boldness can be a bit of a challenge, but I enjoy the challenge. Any constructive direction would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Grumps]

I don't have a classical mouthpiece right now, and am looking for a good piece that works well in playing the lower notes at pianissimo up to D above the staff on a Mark VII Alto?

It's not a gurgler, is it? The VII altos don't have that reputation. But what about the stock piece that should have came with it. A S80 or something like that.

 

[turf3]

As far as I know, Mark 7 Selmers came with the S-80 C* mouthpiece; so it's reasonable to assume that this mouthpiece gives a "design intent" tone and response for the instrument.

I seem to recall reading that some time more recently (last 10 or 15 years???) Selmer have changed their facing designations so a 1975 C* may not be the same facing as a 2026 C*.

Although a lot of people want more open mouthpieces, I learned saxophone on Selmer C* mouthpieces (not the S-80 but the earlier Soloist), and today I still find those mouthpieces perfectly functional, despite the 40+ years of additional chops; plus, I use an S-80 C* as my main mouthpiece on soprano and find it perfectly functional. So don't just assume that you need a more open piece. I'd go with the design intent setup to start - Mark 7 alto, S-80 C* mouthpiece. Probably Vandoren 3 reeds.

 

[DesertRoads]

Nope. Not a gurgle anymore. It was for a bit until I had the neck tenon receiver issue fixed. I am the second owner and it did not come with a mouthpiece. I do have an S80 and it works okay; just want something a little better. But I'll have to swing by a music store and grab a handful of different classical themed mouthpieces to see what works. AI makes recommendations, but I am unsure on the accuracy of those recommendations. I don't live close to a music store, so I want to make sure I have a good list of mouthpieces to try out when I do visit.

 

[turf3]

Well, you might well find something that is better suited to your needs and personal conformation than a Selmer S-80 C*; but I'd question whether you can find something "better". After all, it was supplied with the horn. The whole Paris Conservatoire saxophone class was playing on these for many years.

 

[DesertRoads]

Fair enough. I'll just work with what I have. Thank you for your input.

 

[Grumps]

But I'll have to swing by a music store and grab a handful of different classical themed mouthpieces to see what works.

Another good brand would be Vandoren. They make quality pieces off the shelf and their basic (classical) models shouldn't break the bank.

 

[Pete Thomas]

I’m biased but as it’s alto I would recommend a PPT (5). (If it was tenor a PPT would be useless)

 

[Pete Effamy]

I use an S-80 C* as my main mouthpiece on soprano and find it perfectly functional

Same here.

 

[Pete Effamy]

Another good brand would be Vandoren. They make quality pieces off the shelf and their basic (classical) models shouldn't break the bank.

I'm with you here. Vandoren or Selmer pieces should be a great start (and likely finish) point. A further consideration would be whether you like a setup with resistance, or free - blowing. If resistance, I'd tend towards a mouthpiece that has that quality rather than using a harder reed - as this will make low notes difficult without the jazz techniques to fall back on, like subtone or slap tongue etc.
If the VII is anything like the VI, my VI wants to shout once you get to B above the stave. Everything else can be tamed but from there it's very difficult.
Having complete control of the whole range, an even tonal compass and playing with a focussed sound is what you'll be chasing.

 

[Pete Effamy]

I have a Series 2 soprano with a Selmer C*. It works really well.

 

[Colin the Bear]

I've liked the S80C* on Baritone for decades .

I tried it on sop with some success, but moved to a S80G. Much better.

I used one on tenor for quite a while but moved on to a Soloist in C**.

For Alto I couldn't get the flexibility with a S80C*. I settled for a soloist D. It will whisper and shout on my yamaha.

If you're buying used check the table is flat and the rails are even. I'm sure people abandon them because they're not.