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Sax on the Web Forum Archive / Baritone Saxophone / Mouthpiece recommendations?

Next 20 Messages

Andres
User ID: 8666863 May 17th 2:45 PM
I just got the opportunity to play Bari in the local community band. I've got an old Yamaha 5C mouthpiece that I haven't touched in years (I haven't played bari in 10 years), and a S80 C*.

I'm looking for recommendations on a good all-around piece that I can use primarily for this band, but also the occasional big band gig (I'd like to get back into playing bari). I'd prefer if the price was around $100, too.

Suggestions appreciated. Thanks!

Andres
User ID: 8666863 May 17th 2:47 PM
I should add that I don't own a bari, so actually trying different mouthpieces might be a challenge.

RS
User ID: 9586293 May 17th 3:41 PM
A hard rubber RIA would be a good choice. Current price is about $115. Maybe get one with a .100" to .110" tip opening. This would be a 6* or 7.

T.S.
User ID: 8882983 May 17th 3:58 PM
I just picked up a hard Rubber RIA, and I think I much prefer my metal RIA, but jury is still out.
After I've had time to really A/B, I will report my final assessment.

manofsteel
User ID: 9084913 May 17th 4:03 PM
TS - Please tell me what differences you find b/w the HR and Metal RIAs. I play a Metal RIA 7* from the WW&BW and love it. At the same time, I'm seeing what all the hype is about these older HR bergs too.

super20dan
User ID: 7705853 May 17th 4:43 PM
the mpcs you have are fine for comm. band . i once brought my rubber berg to comm. band and the director was horrified!

paulwl
User ID: 9593383 May 17th 6:06 PM
Was he listening or just looking?

super20dan
User ID: 7705853 May 17th 8:09 PM
he was listing and to make matters worse all i had was a rico plasticote reed! he keep shushing me all tru the rehearsal and giving me dirty looks. it was selmer s80 c* for me from then on

RS
User ID: 9586293 May 17th 11:51 PM
T.S.--I prefer the metal RIAs over the rubber also when they're both right out of the box. But I use a wedge-in baffle in my rubber 10* which gives it the edge and power of the metal but with a little warmer sound. If you get a chance maybe try the rubber RIA with a Runyon spoiler insert. The spoilers from the Runyon Custom models fit the RIA and can be purchased separately from Runyon for about $15. I used a spoiler for a while but now use a wedge made from plumber's epoxy by MojoBari. It's a perfect fit in my piece but the spoiler works well too. The RIA pieces, both rubber and metal, seem to lend themselves to hot-rodding. My metal 10* with the added baffle is a real paint peeler and I would use this set-up for RnB or Jump Blues. For the big band work I'm doing these days the rubber 10* with added baffle is the right fit. If I need a softer mellower sound I use the rubber piece without the wedge. This would probably be best in a concert band setting which is why I reccomended the rubber RIA rather than the metal to Andres.

RS
User ID: 9586293 May 17th 11:57 PM
Also the metal is more expensive at about $170.

Jough
User ID: 1843114 May 18th 1:15 AM
I play a Selmer S90 in my commuity band on a Selmer SA80 bari. Seems to blend well with the section and doesn't overbear. I use a berg elsewhere though.

Andres
User ID: 0408214 May 18th 1:56 PM
I figured I could get away with something like a RIA or a Meyer since the bari isn't an up-front instrument in your average symphonic band.

My local shops have nothing on hand as far as bari sax pieces. Time for a drive to "The City".

super20dan
User ID: 7705853 May 18th 4:53 PM
the meyer would be ok. the bari can overpower a concert band eaisly (at least when i play it)so use discression. the above post is correct that the selmer blends well . after all its made for this type of playing.

CURT
User ID: 1801454 May 18th 4:58 PM
I just picked up a gold plated Otto link NY 4****

I love it. No matter how loud I play it never 'breaks' It plays in tune, I can play loud and soft easily. The Chamber is huge.

I never believe those guys who say "you can use any mouthpiece for Jazz or classical" but, if there is one that is close to a universal MP this is it. -in my experience anyway.

BTW, I got it from Jey Clark at Saxmouthpiece.com

Andres
User ID: 8666863 May 20th 11:23 AM
A Meyer sounds like a good plan as well. I used a 6M on alto for 3 years in a symphonic band years ago.

steve
User ID: 2560524 May 21st 6:01 AM
I use a metal Berg...120/3 on my Martin. It can get very mellow...probably would blend nicely in a section. Costs about $150.

stevew
User ID: 8868883 May 21st 6:51 AM
I use the Yangisawa 5 rubber piece that came with my horn, or a Jody Jazz 8 and I like them about as much as each other.

Neither is expensive but some people sell their Yani mpcs as they don't realise how good they are - look out for a bargain.

Both these give me good control in a band setting, you need that, especially to be able to whisper the low notes.

MojoBari
User ID: 1320554 May 21st 8:19 AM
Community bands need the bari player to be able to play wide dynamic ranges with excellent control at soft volumes. The 5C or C* should be able to do this. Wider tip mouthpieces will be able to do this if they are hand faced. Also the sax has to be leak free. You should be able to play softer than a cello. The high end of the volume is rarely a problem in a community band.

For big band, you can try a Bari brand plastic reed on the 5C. I know a guy who does this and he gets a pro barking sound when he pushes it.

I had been using a hand faced RIA metal in a community band. I tried 5 metals and 1 HR RIA. Most of them had what I thought was too much edge due to flat spots on the facing curve. I selected the smoothest one and ended up tweeking the facing curve myself. Lately I've been able to get decent control out of my Runyon Quantums. If I do not push them, they work fine in a community band too.

If you want to try a hand faced mouthpiece, Email me. I have a few blanks to choose from that I could set up for you. kwbradbury@yahoo.com

manofsteel
User ID: 9084913 May 21st 2:35 PM
Hey Mojo,

From what alloy is the RIA metal made? It looks like it's some aluminum alloy, but feels too heavy. I really dig the sound out of it but wondered if it was workable or not. I know JVW doesn't work on SS mpcs.

RS
User ID: 2003384 May 21st 4:09 PM
Metal RIAs are brass and plated with what looks to me like silver.

Next 20 Messages

Andres User ID: 8666863	May 17th 2:45 PM I just got the opportunity to play Bari in the local community band. I've got an old Yamaha 5C mouthpiece that I haven't touched in years (I haven't played bari in 10 years), and a S80 C*. I'm looking for recommendations on a good all-around piece that I can use primarily for this band, but also the occasional big band gig (I'd like to get back into playing bari). I'd prefer if the price was around $100, too. Suggestions appreciated. Thanks!
Andres User ID: 8666863	May 17th 2:47 PM I should add that I don't own a bari, so actually trying different mouthpieces might be a challenge.
RS User ID: 9586293	May 17th 3:41 PM *A hard rubber RIA would be a good choice. Current price is about $115. Maybe get one with a .100" to .110" tip opening. This would be a 6 or 7.**
T.S. User ID: 8882983	May 17th 3:58 PM I just picked up a hard Rubber RIA, and I think I much prefer my metal RIA, but jury is still out. After I've had time to really A/B, I will report my final assessment.
manofsteel User ID: 9084913	May 17th 4:03 PM TS - Please tell me what differences you find b/w the HR and Metal RIAs. I play a Metal RIA 7* from the WW&BW and love it. At the same time, I'm seeing what all the hype is about these older HR bergs too.
super20dan User ID: 7705853	May 17th 4:43 PM the mpcs you have are fine for comm. band . i once brought my rubber berg to comm. band and the director was horrified!
paulwl User ID: 9593383	May 17th 6:06 PM Was he listening or just looking?
super20dan User ID: 7705853	May 17th 8:09 PM *he was listing and to make matters worse all i had was a rico plasticote reed! he keep shushing me all tru the rehearsal and giving me dirty looks. it was selmer s80 c for me from then on**
RS User ID: 9586293	May 17th 11:51 PM T.S.--I prefer the metal RIAs over the rubber also when they're both right out of the box. But I use a wedge-in baffle in my rubber 10* which gives it the edge and power of the metal but with a little warmer sound. If you get a chance maybe try the rubber RIA with a Runyon spoiler insert. The spoilers from the Runyon Custom models fit the RIA and can be purchased separately from Runyon for about $15. I used a spoiler for a while but now use a wedge made from plumber's epoxy by MojoBari. It's a perfect fit in my piece but the spoiler works well too. The RIA pieces, both rubber and metal, seem to lend themselves to hot-rodding. My metal 10* with the added baffle is a real paint peeler and I would use this set-up for RnB or Jump Blues. For the big band work I'm doing these days the rubber 10* with added baffle is the right fit. If I need a softer mellower sound I use the rubber piece without the wedge. This would probably be best in a concert band setting which is why I reccomended the rubber RIA rather than the metal to Andres.
RS User ID: 9586293	May 17th 11:57 PM Also the metal is more expensive at about $170.
Jough User ID: 1843114	May 18th 1:15 AM I play a Selmer S90 in my commuity band on a Selmer SA80 bari. Seems to blend well with the section and doesn't overbear. I use a berg elsewhere though.
Andres User ID: 0408214	May 18th 1:56 PM I figured I could get away with something like a RIA or a Meyer since the bari isn't an up-front instrument in your average symphonic band. My local shops have nothing on hand as far as bari sax pieces. Time for a drive to "The City".
super20dan User ID: 7705853	May 18th 4:53 PM the meyer would be ok. the bari can overpower a concert band eaisly (at least when i play it)so use discression. the above post is correct that the selmer blends well . after all its made for this type of playing.
CURT User ID: 1801454	May 18th 4:58 PM I just picked up a gold plated Otto link NY 4**** I love it. No matter how loud I play it never 'breaks' It plays in tune, I can play loud and soft easily. The Chamber is huge. I never believe those guys who say "you can use any mouthpiece for Jazz or classical" but, if there is one that is close to a universal MP this is it. -in my experience anyway. BTW, I got it from Jey Clark at Saxmouthpiece.com
Andres User ID: 8666863	May 20th 11:23 AM A Meyer sounds like a good plan as well. I used a 6M on alto for 3 years in a symphonic band years ago.
steve User ID: 2560524	May 21st 6:01 AM I use a metal Berg...120/3 on my Martin. It can get very mellow...probably would blend nicely in a section. Costs about $150.
stevew User ID: 8868883	May 21st 6:51 AM I use the Yangisawa 5 rubber piece that came with my horn, or a Jody Jazz 8 and I like them about as much as each other. Neither is expensive but some people sell their Yani mpcs as they don't realise how good they are - look out for a bargain. Both these give me good control in a band setting, you need that, especially to be able to whisper the low notes.
MojoBari User ID: 1320554	May 21st 8:19 AM Community bands need the bari player to be able to play wide dynamic ranges with excellent control at soft volumes. The 5C or C* should be able to do this. Wider tip mouthpieces will be able to do this if they are hand faced. Also the sax has to be leak free. You should be able to play softer than a cello. The high end of the volume is rarely a problem in a community band. For big band, you can try a Bari brand plastic reed on the 5C. I know a guy who does this and he gets a pro barking sound when he pushes it. I had been using a hand faced RIA metal in a community band. I tried 5 metals and 1 HR RIA. Most of them had what I thought was too much edge due to flat spots on the facing curve. I selected the smoothest one and ended up tweeking the facing curve myself. Lately I've been able to get decent control out of my Runyon Quantums. If I do not push them, they work fine in a community band too. If you want to try a hand faced mouthpiece, Email me. I have a few blanks to choose from that I could set up for you. kwbradbury@yahoo.com
manofsteel User ID: 9084913	May 21st 2:35 PM Hey Mojo, From what alloy is the RIA metal made? It looks like it's some aluminum alloy, but feels too heavy. I really dig the sound out of it but wondered if it was workable or not. I know JVW doesn't work on SS mpcs.
RS User ID: 2003384	May 21st 4:09 PM Metal RIAs are brass and plated with what looks to me like silver.