 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: bmcgar ★2017
Date: 2009-07-16 18:50
Howdy,
I'm posting to this question to the clarinet BBD because, if I go to the sax BBD, I'll no doubt get too much information!
I play tenor VERY infrequently, and almost exclusively when doubling for musicals. I've been borrowing horns, but got a good deal on a Buffet 400, so I bought one.
I've been using my Selmer S80 C* or whatever works coming with the borrowed horns, but the Selmer/Buffet combination is too "soft" or "dark" or "round" for the pit.
Can anyone recommend a reasonably priced (under $200) tenor mouthpiece that has enough "edge" or "brightness" to cut through a pit orchestra when necessary, and is flexible enough to handle the occasional dip?
I don't need the "best" mouthpiece, nor do I want to be sending mouthpieces back and forth for trials--and I certainly don't want a mouthpiece that is "radical." I just need a "good enough" mouthpiece to get by on.
Thanks for your help.
B.
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Author: RAB
Date: 2009-07-16 19:16
Try a Hard Rubber Otto Link 5*,
It is "kind" with reeds and is easy for me to double on.
Another thought is Selmer D.
Hope this helps!!
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Author: GBK
Date: 2009-07-16 19:34
The Otto Link mouthpieces are indeed reed friendly, and with their round chamber produce a pleasing mellow tone.
If you want a bit more "edge" or "brightness" (your words) the metal version would certainly be something to try.
I play full time in a big band and have used a metal Link 7* for many years, and have no trouble soloing over the band.
...GBK
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2009-07-16 19:55
Try Vandoren T25....... Jody Jazz hard rubber .... try to stay under .095 opening for control for all these mouthpieces. Otto Link hard rubber is also very good. Yanigisawa metal is quite controllable... meyer might give a little more clarity than the Otto Link hard rubber.
Freelance woodwind performer
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Author: William
Date: 2009-07-16 20:01
My tenor mpc is a vintage Guardala "Studio" model which produces just the sound you want--mellow, but with a "bite" when needed (solos) that will project over any group. Downside, it's expensive. On the other hand, the last time I saw Josh Reddman--here in Madison--he was using a stock Selmer C* mpc with a beautiful dark, mellow sound. However, it isn't just about the mouthpiece, selection of the reed is almost as important as it is for clarinet. Just any old "thingie" out of the box will often not play just the way you want it to. Upside, once you find a good reed, it will last--sometimes for years, depending on usuage. Some of the reeds Fred Hemke was using here in Madison a few years ago were "four years old". Some of my sax reeds are even older (I'm somewhat ashamed to admit).
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Author: Wicked Good ★2017
Date: 2009-07-16 20:41
+1 for the metal Otto Link recommended by GBK. They are not only reed-friendly, but bore-friendly, too.
I've used the same metal Link 7, for almost 30 years, on two small-bore tenors: a Yamaha YTS-62 and a Selmer SA-80 Serie II; and two large-bore tenors: a Conn 10M and most recently, a Conn 30M.
Great sound and intonation with those Links. :-)
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2009-07-16 20:45
Hi,
I use a Rico Royal M5 for pit work (instead of a Dukoff D7) and a B5 for concert work. Both can be had for very little ($15-25) but the M5 is a little hard to find. I use a Meyer M7 for all sorts of playing on alto. On bari and soprano, stock Selmer C* Soloist and S80 respectively.
William, I had heard that about Hemke's reeds.
HRL
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Author: Ed
Date: 2009-07-16 22:44
I have a Vandoren Java (I think the T55) It is very nice. It plays well, takes reeds comfortably, can get a rich full tone or subtone when needed, yet also get plnty of edge when pushed. It is also at a good price.
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Author: bmcgar ★2017
Date: 2009-07-17 02:58
Thanks for the help.
WWBW had a blemished Link 7 metal for $113, so I'm going to give that a try.
B.
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2009-07-19 16:52
A metal Link is probably as good as any to start with.
Facings on Babbit Company Links (as well as Meyers) tend to be inconsistent. It's possible to find a good one but some guys I know tried a selection of Links before picking one. Something to keep in mind about your Link (assuming it works well enough for you to keep it) is if at some point further down the road you find yourself wanting more from your mouthpiece, there are a number of superb mouthpiece refacers who do remarkable work on Links. The cost of a refacing is typically cheaper than the cost of a new mouthpiece. The Mouthpiece Guys do especially fine work on Links.
Good Luck!
PS, While I think a Link can be a fine mouthpiece, my saxophone mouthpiece of choice is the Morgan 6C. I think of it as being along similar lines for saxophone as to what a really good Kaspar is for clarinet. Its sound is big, dark, exceptionally resonant, and has a level of projection that enables it to more than hold its ground in a sax section where the other guys are using various kinds of jazz mouthpieces. It also works fine as a general-use mouthpiece in pit, wind ensemble, and classical settings.
Roger
Post Edited (2009-07-19 19:27)
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