Intonation Tips on Baritone octave playing flat

[Pete Thomas]

PPT works well on a ‘36 12M as well as a B900 Yanag.

PPT do work well on several vintage baritones, especially Conn 12M and a few Martins I’ve tried it with. I have not tested with a Buescher.

 

[Digger2054]

I popped into my usual shop yesterday, had a play on the two pieces, similar results, so have left with with them for a once over. At least i'll know the horn is right.

@Pete Thomas are they made to order, or is there a possibility of a trial?

 

[Digger2054]

Got a video from the shop today, my Baritone plays in tune with his set up.

So when I pick it up, he's going to let me try his set up, and see what happens.

 

[PigSquealer]

Got a video from the shop today, my Baritone plays in tune with his set up.

So when I pick it up, he's going to let me try his set up, and see what happens.

Please ask what adjustments or repairs were made.

I popped into my usual shop yesterday, had a play on the two pieces, similar results, so have left with with them for a once over.

Did the technician listen to test playing ?

 

[Digger2054]

Please ask what adjustments or repairs were made.

None - he played it first and was actually impressed with horn. Other than using his syos signature mouthpiece, it's exactly as I left it.

Did the technician listen to test playing ?

Unfortunately not, he wasn't in when I visited, but will be when I collect it & try his set up.

 

[Digger2054]

Been over to pick up my Bari from Curly's and try Bob's mouthpiece.

It's a Dayna Stephens Syos signature 9. So a fair bit wider than my Berg, but with a much larger chamber.

I played that, and my berg side by side... Bob made a sudden appearance when he heard the switch to the Berg, down in the shop he could hear how awful it was.

I wasn't sure about the 9tip, so tried different Syos(spark?) in a 7, too boisterous for my use, and still out of tune.

A bit of guidance from Bob on the Signature, and we seem to be heading down the right path. He's going to speak to Syos as the Bari piece is out of production.

Seem to be heading in the right direction.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Before spending lots, I'd be trying a Yam 5C.
£51 G4music

 

[LostCircuits]

Been over to pick up my Bari from Curly's and try Bob's mouthpiece.

It's a Dayna Stephens Syos signature 9. So a fair bit wider than my Berg, but with a much larger chamber.

I played that, and my berg side by side... Bob made a sudden appearance when he heard the switch to the Berg, down in the shop he could hear how awful it was.

I wasn't sure about the 9tip, so tried different Syos(spark?) in a 7, too boisterous for my use, and still out of tune.

A bit of guidance from Bob on the Signature, and we seem to be heading down the right path. He's going to speak to Syos as the Bari piece is out of production.

Seem to be heading in the right direction.

Is SYOS still around? I thought there were enough drawers full of their pieces to satisfy the demand for the next 10 years.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Is SYOS still around? I thought there were enough drawers full of their pieces to satisfy the demand for the next 10 years.

Thomann sell them, Curly Woodwind, Sax.co, too. Stock pieces come in 3 chamber sizes, various tip openings and lots of colours. I believe they'll make you a bespoke piece to your own spec too.

 

[LostCircuits]

Thomann sell them, Curly Woodwind, Sax.co, too. Stock pieces come in 3 chamber sizes, various tip openings and lots of colours. I believe they'll make you a bespoke piece to your own spec too.

my favourite is still the watermelon colour scheme, green with a pink ligature. Can't open a drawer of discarded MPCs without stumbling upon one.

 

[Digger2054]

Before spending lots, I'd be trying a Yam 5C.
£51 G4music

Yes... "Estimated delivery: 13th - 15th July"

They seem rather popular and out of stock with most suppliers.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Thomann £52 + pp.

Pardon our interruption...

 

[turf3]

Been over to pick up my Bari from Curly's and try Bob's mouthpiece.

It's a Dayna Stephens Syos signature 9. So a fair bit wider than my Berg, but with a much larger chamber.

I played that, and my berg side by side... Bob made a sudden appearance when he heard the switch to the Berg, down in the shop he could hear how awful it was.

I wasn't sure about the 9tip, so tried different Syos(spark?) in a 7, too boisterous for my use, and still out of tune.

A bit of guidance from Bob on the Signature, and we seem to be heading down the right path. He's going to speak to Syos as the Bari piece is out of production.

Seem to be heading in the right direction.

I told you, a Berg is not likely to be a good match for a Buescher Aristocrat baritone.

Whyn't you try an Otto Link, Yamaha 6C, Vandoren V5, etc.?

 

[Digger2054]

I told you, a Berg is not likely to be a good match for a Buescher Aristocrat baritone.

Whyn't you try an Otto Link, Yamaha 6C, Vandoren V5, etc.?

The berg is the piece that came with the Bari.

Horn: Buescher Aristocrat
Mouthpiece: Berg Larsen 105 2 SMS (Ebonite)
Reed: Legere 2 / 2.25.

 

[turf3]

The berg is the piece that came with the Bari.

Well, maybe it came with the bari when you bought it, but it's not what Buescher shipped in the box; nor is it what the typical baritone player of the 1930s would have used. That would have been something much more like the Woodwind Co. hard rubber pieces you can see Harry Carney using, or the Gale pieces you see Mulligan playing on.

 

[Digger2054]

I'm aware that the Berg isn't working for with the horn, hence the whole thread

Why don't I try the other pieces? Because the shop didn't stock them. Not many physical shops do these days.

I left the horn with them, to give it a one over, which ruled out there being an issue with the horn.

At least now I know it will play in tune.

Bari isn't my main horn, I got lumbered with playing it at the orchestra.

All very good trying umpteen different pieces, but I'll need to order them in from places that will accept returns, and have time to play them all enough to make an informed decision.

 

[turf3]

Well, the problem of availability of test pieces affects everyone. But I wouldn't be suggesting a #9 piece of an off brand well known for dodgy QC to a guy who hardly ever plays baritone. I'd be thinking standard designs, standard makers. Meyer, Link, Vandoren V5, Selmer, Yamaha 5 or 6C, Fobes Debut, Morgan, etc. With a MP of moderate standard design, the chance that the first one you try will do the trick is a lot higher.

 

[Digger2054]

Well, the problem of availability of test pieces affects everyone. But I wouldn't be suggesting a #9 piece of an off brand well known for dodgy QC to a guy who hardly ever plays baritone. I'd be thinking standard designs, standard makers. Meyer, Link, Vandoren V5, Selmer, Yamaha 5 or 6C, Fobes Debut, Morgan, etc. With a MP of moderate standard design, the chance that the first one you try will do the trick is a lot higher.

I don't disagree, I don't play big tip openings on my other horns.

I play bari once a week with the orchestra, but as I can't be doing lugging it up and down the stairs at home, it lives in the living room.

Dawkes do a 14 day home trial, so I'll hit the Credit Card.

 

[turf3]

...

Dawkes do a 14 day home trial, so I'll hit the Credit Card.

That's the ticket.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Don't forget ligature and cap. 😉