AdamBradley
Member
- 109
I went to a music shop t’other day with the intention of trying out as much as I could, while still being able to remember what I tried. My situation is a little unusual compared to most beginners so I’ll explain that in full later when it becomes relevant, but for now I’d just like some opinions on what I tried from anyone who has experience with them.
Saxes
I went to John Packers in Taunton, since I was in Bath this weekend to sort my student digs for next year I thought I’d pop over for a few hours while I was relatively near by. I wanted to try the JP. 045 alto that a lot of people seem to be gushing over. I’ve seen great reviews and someone posted a clip on this forum too, saying for the price it is an outstanding instrument. I had a ‘lesson’ of sorts with a guy who plays regularly on the west end, who was telling me about a couple of other players now using these saxes in the shows, so I had to try it out.
I found it immediately very comfortable to play, very easy to blow and I liked the sound I was getting. I didn’t play it as much as I intended though, as I noticed above top C it was horribly flat. E was closer to Eb and nothing I did seemed to make any difference. I don’t normally have that problem so I had a go on a Yamaha YAS275 to compare. With the same mouthpiece/reed (Yamaha 6C with a Vandoren 2 or 2.5, I forget), the problem wasn’t there on the Yam.
Impressions on the Yam – while it was a nice instrument that was similarly easy to play and felt comfortable, it didn’t ‘feel’ right. This might be a bizarre observation to make, but the sax just felt very clinical and mass produced. It was well made, as most things Yamaha are, but it still felt lifeless, as if it had no character.
On that lesson I mentioned I had a go on one of the saxes the guy had with him, a Yamaha 62 (old model I think). For comparison I had a go on a new one of these too, again with the same Yam 6C mouthpiece. Of the three, I liked this one best, just. It felt the most substantial and well made and had a fuller sound. Admittedly though, I struggled to see where £700 went between the 275 and the 62. It was only a half-hour blow on each but I wasn’t immediately struck with 700 quid’s worth of difference. The 62 still felt a bit blank, a bit restrained. I wish I’d tried a different JP 045 because aside from the flat top register, I felt very much at home on it, seemed to just buzz along nicely.
I only had half an hour left before the shop closed so I wanted a go on some mouthpieces. I read everywhere how they make more change to your sound that just about anything else, so even though I have no intention of buying one yet I still wanted a go. I played a Vandoren 6C, a Selmer S80 C* and an Otto Link Tone Edge 6. All ebonite.
I only had a few min on each so brief descriptions are... the Vandoren seemed to be very clear with a lot of mid-range (sorry, played electric guitar so tone descriptions tend to involve equalisation terms!). The Selmer was more rounded with the link being warmer and softer still than the Selmer. Anyone with experience with these have any opinions? I know I’ve not been playing long enough to be able to give a solid definition for a mouthpiece, but I’m curious to know if my initial thoughts match the general consensus on a mouthpiece.
These three mouthpieces I noticed an immediate colour to the sound, compared with the Yamaha 6C which I couldn't tell any difference to the La Voz (severely battered and I think very cheap) mp that came with my rental Buffet sax, though I couldn't tell you whether I didn't notice a difference purely because I didn't play them one right after the other. So I've kindof counted the 6C as a 'blank slate' from which to go from.
I could be way out, I only realised once I got home but natural inhibition meant I didn’t play as loudly or with as much expression as I do when at home. Unfamiliar environment/small acoustically ‘loud’ practise room & being able to hear other people playing in the rooms next to you seem to naturally decrease the levels at which you play, subconsciously.. I’m not shy so I certainly didn’t intend to play more reservedly, just seemed to happen automatically. These initial trips to shops to try things out will eventually end up with my picking my first sax.. something I have a fun little plan for which I'll no doubt present here later, but for now - anyone with experience with any of these saxes or mouthpieces have an opinion, I'd love to hear them!
(Phew!)
Saxes
I went to John Packers in Taunton, since I was in Bath this weekend to sort my student digs for next year I thought I’d pop over for a few hours while I was relatively near by. I wanted to try the JP. 045 alto that a lot of people seem to be gushing over. I’ve seen great reviews and someone posted a clip on this forum too, saying for the price it is an outstanding instrument. I had a ‘lesson’ of sorts with a guy who plays regularly on the west end, who was telling me about a couple of other players now using these saxes in the shows, so I had to try it out.
I found it immediately very comfortable to play, very easy to blow and I liked the sound I was getting. I didn’t play it as much as I intended though, as I noticed above top C it was horribly flat. E was closer to Eb and nothing I did seemed to make any difference. I don’t normally have that problem so I had a go on a Yamaha YAS275 to compare. With the same mouthpiece/reed (Yamaha 6C with a Vandoren 2 or 2.5, I forget), the problem wasn’t there on the Yam.
Impressions on the Yam – while it was a nice instrument that was similarly easy to play and felt comfortable, it didn’t ‘feel’ right. This might be a bizarre observation to make, but the sax just felt very clinical and mass produced. It was well made, as most things Yamaha are, but it still felt lifeless, as if it had no character.
On that lesson I mentioned I had a go on one of the saxes the guy had with him, a Yamaha 62 (old model I think). For comparison I had a go on a new one of these too, again with the same Yam 6C mouthpiece. Of the three, I liked this one best, just. It felt the most substantial and well made and had a fuller sound. Admittedly though, I struggled to see where £700 went between the 275 and the 62. It was only a half-hour blow on each but I wasn’t immediately struck with 700 quid’s worth of difference. The 62 still felt a bit blank, a bit restrained. I wish I’d tried a different JP 045 because aside from the flat top register, I felt very much at home on it, seemed to just buzz along nicely.
I only had half an hour left before the shop closed so I wanted a go on some mouthpieces. I read everywhere how they make more change to your sound that just about anything else, so even though I have no intention of buying one yet I still wanted a go. I played a Vandoren 6C, a Selmer S80 C* and an Otto Link Tone Edge 6. All ebonite.
I only had a few min on each so brief descriptions are... the Vandoren seemed to be very clear with a lot of mid-range (sorry, played electric guitar so tone descriptions tend to involve equalisation terms!). The Selmer was more rounded with the link being warmer and softer still than the Selmer. Anyone with experience with these have any opinions? I know I’ve not been playing long enough to be able to give a solid definition for a mouthpiece, but I’m curious to know if my initial thoughts match the general consensus on a mouthpiece.
These three mouthpieces I noticed an immediate colour to the sound, compared with the Yamaha 6C which I couldn't tell any difference to the La Voz (severely battered and I think very cheap) mp that came with my rental Buffet sax, though I couldn't tell you whether I didn't notice a difference purely because I didn't play them one right after the other. So I've kindof counted the 6C as a 'blank slate' from which to go from.
I could be way out, I only realised once I got home but natural inhibition meant I didn’t play as loudly or with as much expression as I do when at home. Unfamiliar environment/small acoustically ‘loud’ practise room & being able to hear other people playing in the rooms next to you seem to naturally decrease the levels at which you play, subconsciously.. I’m not shy so I certainly didn’t intend to play more reservedly, just seemed to happen automatically. These initial trips to shops to try things out will eventually end up with my picking my first sax.. something I have a fun little plan for which I'll no doubt present here later, but for now - anyone with experience with any of these saxes or mouthpieces have an opinion, I'd love to hear them!
(Phew!)