Mouthpieces Set-up and mouthpiece comparison

[MartinL]

So here it is, mouthpiece / setup thoughts, I wonder what you think..

Using a #2 Vandoren Java Red … compare my Mayer, Jody Jazz and Otto Link, all 3 mouthpieces #5 tip

Jody Jazz, bright, loud and very easy to blow
Mayer, bright but not as bright but harder to blow
Otto Link, mellowest of the three, not as easy to play as the Jody but easier than the Mayer.

All three play ok on a 2.5 reed too results same as above. I find the palm keys play cleaner more easily on the Jody when using the soft reed, they are all three fine with the 2.5

To play, I like the Jody,
For sound I like the Link,
For volume, the Jody is loud.

I think the Mayer is the biggest looser but I’m reluctant to part with it as they have such a good reputation and I'm quite fond of it however I want to use one mouthpiece in the main and retain a second as an alternative, selling the third.

I was thinking to stick with the Otto Link that I'm currently using while keeping the Jody for anytime a bit more punch is required.

Any thoughts please? (This is on my Yamaha 32 Alto)

Martin

 

[Sunray]

Reasoning ...

Why are you selling any of them - Need the money, to make room to buy more pieces, maybe cos the wife said you have to - what's your reasoning for selling?

if its cos you need some money - sell the one or two that will bring in the most ... ;}

Sell you least loved if its to make room to buy more ...

Cower and sell "all of them" just to please the missus ...

Once you have worked out why you want to sell - then you will find it easier to decide what to do ... 🙂

Good luck Martin ...

 

[TomMapfumo]

I think that choosing the Link is best because of the sound you get. I am left wondering whether you need a slightly larger mouthpiece as the small size may be part of the problem of playing. Possibly have the Link opened up slightly/refaced at reasonable cost by someone like Ed Pillinger, explaining your needs/preferences.

I play Meyer type pieces on Alto (Ponzol 85 and Phil-Tone) and love the sound from both of them - they can do bright but are richer and more complex sounding. But your solution sounds reasonable. I assume it is a Link Tone Edge HR?

Kind regards
Tom

 

[MartinL]

simples...

just to stop me swapping and changing, I want to try and settle on a set-up.. I probably wont sell any if the truth is known, ;}

 

[MartinL]

I think that choosing the Link is best because of the sound you get. I am left wondering whether you need a slightly larger mouthpiece as the small size may be part of the problem of playing. Possibly have the Link opened up slightly/refaced at reasonable cost by someone like Ed Pillinger, explaining your needs/preferences.

I play Meyer type pieces on Alto (Ponzol 85 and Phil-Tone) and love the sound from both of them - they can do bright but are richer and more complex sounding. But your solution sounds reasonable. I assume it is a Link Tone Edge HR?

Kind regards
Tom

Thanks Tom, Yes its a Tone Edge HR

I've been struggling recently to settle on a set up and I'm probably my own worst enemy when I keep swapping and changing so tonight I've set up all three mouthpieces and set out to settle on one of them... Its good to get other opinions, its good to get confirmation of my own thoughts too but equally I would like to hear anyone's contradicting thoughts.

must say however they all three had different ligatures for this experiment, thats another topic..

Martin

 

[Nick Wyver]

Ask yourself why you are doing this. What's your goal? Do you want to play music or do you want to play mouthpieces, reeds and saxophones. If it's the former then just bloody well get on with it. If it's the latter then good luck - you'll need it.

 

[Andante cantabile]

Ask yourself why you are doing this. What's your goal? Do you want to play music or do you want to play mouthpieces, reeds and saxophones. If it's the former then just bloody well get on with it. If it's the latter then good luck - you'll need it.

Good advice. Not too cryptic.

 

[ManEast]

I.m.o

Hi

Find a shop that has not only the Vandoren V16 A6M but also the V16 A6S.
Try them both. If you need to drop your reed to a 2...do it. You should find that one of them will have most everything that you are looking for.

Stick with it and sell all of your others.

Good Luck.

P.S. Only ever Wash it in cold water .

 

[kevgermany]

Some really good advice above. But... mouthpiece shops are a bit thin on the ground by you, if I remember properly.

I gt the feeling that none of the mouthpieces you're looking for feedback on is really working for you. Maybe decide what you're looking for and put that as questions to the forum... I got a lot of good suggestions recently in another thread by doing that.

 

[johnboy]

Hi Martin,
You say that you like the sound of the Link, but find it harder to play than the Jody, also that you like a mellow sound.
Please give yourself a chance, sand the reed in the Link. You will be able to relax your embouchure, and it will be easier to blow.
I now sand my reeds in the mouthpiece, using an emery board. Starting about 1/2" (old money) from the tip, and sand the edges, working towards the ligature. After fifty or so strokes, back and forth, I put it on the sax and try it. I keep doing this until low "D" blows nice and easy. You will find that you can play with a relaxed embouchure, and you have a nice tone, with you in control, not the reed.
Seriously, give it a try, what have you got to lose. You might even sound like Desmond :shocked: He along with Getz etc. scraped their reeds to obtain that wonderful sound!

I can hear the groans already
John.

 

[MartinL]

Hi

Find a shop that has not only the Vandoren V16 A6M but also the V16 A6S.
Try them both. If you need to drop your reed to a 2...do it. You should find that one of them will have most everything that you are looking for.

Stick with it and sell all of your others.

Good Luck.

P.S. Only ever Wash it in cold water .

Its true that none of the ones I have really say "this is me"

How would you describe the sound and playing of the V16, in your experience, to the three I have?

 

[MartinL]

Hi Martin,
You say that you like the sound of the Link, but find it harder to play than the Jody, also that you like a mellow sound.
Please give yourself a chance, sand the reed in the Link. You will be able to relax your embouchure, and it will be easier to blow.
I now sand my reeds in the mouthpiece, using an emery board. Starting about 1/2" (old money) from the tip, and sand the edges, working towards the ligature. After fifty or so strokes, back and forth, I put it on the sax and try it. I keep doing this until low "D" blows nice and easy. You will find that you can play with a relaxed embouchure, and you have a nice tone, with you in control, not the reed.
Seriously, give it a try, what have you got to lose. You might even sound like Desmond :shocked: He along with Getz etc. scraped their reeds to obtain that wonderful sound!

I can hear the groans already
John.

Nothing to loose, except a reed, I'll try that, but here's a stupid question...

If I start with a 2.5 reed and dress it as suggested, wont I just create a 2?

 

[kevgermany]

Nothing to loose, except a reed, I'll try that, but here's a stupid question...

If I start with a 2.5 reed and dress it as suggested, wont I just create a 2?

You end up with something in between, with a slightly different shape/playing characteristics.

If you've got the time and dedication, Ray Reed's book is worth getting, but be warned, it's content is great, but not always easy to follow. It also has a photo of Stan Getz's reeds...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Saxophone-R...3057/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1307600473&sr=8-2

amazon.com have it as well, if that's easier for you. I really must start experimenting like this. But no time at present.

 

[johnboy]

You will create a reed that matches both you and your mouthpiece!!!! It might wind up a lot less than a 2, or even a 1 1/2, but it will be right for your set up. I normally start at "A" and run down to "D". If blowing gently, "D" normally breaks up. I keep sanding until it sounds nice and firm, like the other notes. You will also get more usable reeds from a box!!!
I have mentioned this before. I have a friend who has been playing tenor for a number of years. He came to see me in Spain, bringing his mouthpiece with him. His tone was very poor, so I sanded his reed for him and he was amazed at the improvement. He was able to play with vibrato easily, and could do a lot of things that he had been struggling with.
I start on 2 1/2 reeds 'cos that is the only ones the shop had at the time.

 

[ManEast]

V16 Alto

Its true that none of the ones I have really say "this is me"

How would you describe the sound and playing of the V16, in your experience, to the three I have?

The Vandoren V16's work very,very well...right out of the box. (free blowing). You get a wonderful Alto sound from both the A6M and the A6S . I could say the M is more for Jazz and the S is for R&B , but I don't want to. You should just go with your heart and choose the one that plays for you...You could use both for any type of music depending on the sound model you have in your mind.

 

[Two Voices]

You end up with something in between, with a slightly different shape/playing characteristics.

If you've got the time and dedication, Ray Reed's book is worth getting, but be warned, it's content is great, but not always easy to follow. It also has a photo of Stan Getz's reeds...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Saxophone-R...3057/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1307600473&sr=8-2

amazon.com have it as well, if that's easier for you. I really must start experimenting like this. But no time at present.

After seeing this thread I immediately ordered a copy as there was only one in stock ;} It arrived in the post this morning! It's a thesis on Reed! I'm hoping it'll get me liking my reeds more than I do currently!

 

[TomMapfumo]

Is it a good reed.........................................................?;}

 

[Sunray]

Free ... [A PDF File] Adjusting Reeds for Saxophone ...

A comparison of the techniques used for adjusting the single reed on the Saxophone

A Research Paper - Presented to Professor J. Mitzi Kolar - San Diego State University

Link Here

When you click this link the PDF will automaticly download ... 🙂

 

[johnboy]

Well, there we have it!
I will try in the next week or two to record the sound of the low "D" coming in as a reed is being prepared (at first it won't sound at all). Maybe even a video.
Nothing anywhere near as precise or time consuming (the guy who thinks he can measure to 0.0001" with a dial indicator is in "cloud cuckoo land").

 

[MartinL]

So a couple of weeks on and I'm settled on the #2 Java on my Mayer (yes Mayer)... and liking it, but on a rainy Saturday I disappeared to my shed with 4 #2.5 Javas my sax and a bit of sandpaper... Thanks to Johnboy I now have 4 very playable 2.5 Javas, a tiny bit stiffer that the 2. I may well go down this route, lets see if I still like them in a week or two