Mouthpieces Tenor BW... which mouthpiece suits best??

SaxinNZ · Oct 29, 2009

I am eagerly awaiting the delivery of my new BW Tenor, the only thing I guess I should have done was to get an upgrade mouthpiece at the same time (Doh!)… but what to get??!!

If anyone can suggest what might suit the BW (BW owners suggestions especially welcome) I would be most grateful. If it bears relevance I am after an all-rounder, as I am a relatively new player having only played Alto sax for two years on and off. The mouthpieces I have for the altos are the original TJ which came with my first Alto, then a Meyer 6 which I upgraded to, but now find soft and a little restrictive, and then a Yani 7 which came with my Yani A9932J. This I find a little harder to play, especially when I don’t pick it up for a few weeks, but after an hour or two I find this just fine.

I am aiming to play more often, so ideally would like to get something which will last me in terms of not having to upgrade as such. I guess I would like something which will project when needed, little bit of an edge, but also capable of warmth… bit like the missus (oops!)😀

Thank you………

DaveW · Oct 29, 2009

FWIW I recently bough a Rico Graftonite mouthpiece and really like it on my BW Tenor. Mine is a B5.

jonf · Oct 30, 2009

All depends on what you want to spend and what sort of sound you really want. If the mouthpiece which comes with your BW is like the one which came with my soprano, then it's fit only for the bin. Lots and lots of alternatives, and the best thing to do is set aside a whole day to test as many as possible at a decent sax emporium.

Not cheap, but for consistency and playability I'd probably go for a Yanagisawa metal. Really, really good muthpiece. Otherwise, try Jody Jazz ebonite, Runyon Custom, Vandoren Java, Lawton (if you're feeling rich) Berg Larsen (many different choices here). One of Pete's PPT range? You could also try a Yanagisawa ebonite if you're happy with the alto one. These often surface barely used second hand as people sell them thinking they must replace the mouthpiece which came with their sax, but they're actually really good.

Lots of people will say start with an Otto Link Tone Edge, but I think they're horrible, like playing with a sock stuffed in your sax. But maybe that's just me. You might love them. Hey ho, I guess that's why you need to try before you buy.

Have fun - I spent over twenty years looking for the right mouthpiece. Finally found one I'm happy with - an RPC 115B. Not sure I could recommend one in your position though, as they take an age to be made and delivered.

madmonk · Oct 31, 2009

I use a "Phil Tone" link. Am very happy with it but wot do I know?

Lloyd · Oct 31, 2009

Lots of people will say start with an Otto Link Tone Edge, but I think they're horrible, like playing with a sock stuffed in your sax. But maybe that's just me. You might love them. Hey ho, I guess that's why you need to try before you buy.

It's subjective. My BW bronze tenor came with a Yamaha 5C, which was OK but a bit thin. I tried a few and eventually went with said Otto Link Tone Edge 6* and really like it. Plenty of oomph when you want it but also capable of mellow smokiness (I'm coming over as a bit of a wine taster, sorry). Didn't like the Graftonite on my alto but some people think they're great. Also, not sure about a metal mouthpiece at this stage unless you want to outgun rock guitars in a band; they're also quite pricey.

Best advice - try a few and go with what you like. Maybe consider Meyer, Jody Jazz or Selmer Soloist but most of all, have fun trying them. Most decent shops will let you try before you buy.

Andrew Sanders · Oct 31, 2009

I agree with jonf. The Yani 7 that I blow is a good piece and has stopped me hankering after anything else ( A good thing!)

jonf · Oct 31, 2009

Lloyd said:
It's subjective. My BW bronze tenor came with a Yamaha 5C, which was OK but a bit thin. I tried a few and eventually went with said Otto Link Tone Edge 6* and really like it. Plenty of oomph when you want it but also capable of mellow smokiness (I'm coming over as a bit of a wine taster, sorry). Didn't like the Graftonite on my alto but some people think they're great. Also, not sure about a metal mouthpiece at this stage unless you want to outgun rock guitars in a band; they're also quite pricey.

Agree about the subjectivity. Just because I didn't get on with Links doesn't mean they're not for some people. Having said that, I do have an Otto Link I play regularly, but it's a bit of an oddity, a metal STM 10 with a huge added baffle.

Not sure I agree with the comment about metal mouthpieces, though. Not all metal mouthpieces are screamers, some are very mellow, and some (eg, Bari WTII) are both mellow and pretty cheap. My first tenor piece was a metal Lawton, a plain 7, which is easy to play and pretty rounded and full in tone. (Who's being a wine taster now🙂))) I don't think anyone should automatically rule out metal mouthpieces. Just my opinion.

Jon

chrissieb · Oct 31, 2009

I've had the BW tenor for a few months now, but I am a noob. I like my tone edge, I needs a lot of puff to get a good tone though, if I'm out of practise I can get the 'sock' tone mentioned above. I also have a yamha 4cM which is a bit bright for me but I get a good tone if I use a rovner dark lig.

Wierldly enough, the stock plastic mouthpiece sounded way, way better than I was expecting. Made me wonder why I spent 60 quid on the tone edge 🙂

SaxinNZ · Nov 1, 2009

Hey thanks for all the replies so far... gives me food for thought. As for trying before buying, unfortunately I haven’t found anywhere here that stocks a good range to choose from. Seems you have to know what you want, then they will order it for you! So, I might have to take a gamble on something…

Lloyd · Nov 1, 2009

jonf said:
I don't think anyone should automatically rule out metal mouthpieces. Just my opinion.

Jon

Sorry Jon, I didn't mean to suggest metal mouthpieces should be ruled out, it's whatever suits.

madmonk · Nov 1, 2009

SaxinNZ said:
Hey thanks for all the replies so far... gives me food for thought. As for trying before buying, unfortunately I haven’t found anywhere here that stocks a good range to choose from. Seems you have to know what you want, then they will order it for you! So, I might have to take a gamble on something…

If you were to contct phil-tone he would liase with you asking what you wanted from a piece sound etc and make some suggestions b4 making it for you. He's a good guy to deal with and will try to find out exactly what you want.
Phil (NOT phil-tone!!!!)

Mikec · Nov 1, 2009

I use a Berg Larsen metal one which I prefer to a Selmer C** or a Claude Lakey. I would say that the Berg is overall a fairly bright sounding piece, but is capable of sounding quite mellow. The Selmer is a little dull and the Lakey positively flat.