difficult question s-80

[ieh]

I'm 99% sure the answer to this is "not possible" but i'll still ask just in case!

I've started using the MkVI alto that recently came into my posession and decided to try the mouthpiece that the previous owner ( my now deceased father) used and I can't put it away.

Problem is it's pretty old and worn and i want to get a replacement.
It's a selmer s-80 but that's the only marking i can see on it. I suspect the other marking that indicates whether it's a C* or whatever must have worn off.

Is there any way of tring to figure out which s-80 it is?

TIA for any help.

[Dave Dolson]

ieh: I have several S-80 pieces (soprano and alto) and a few have worn away their designations. However, with a strong magnifying glass and proper lighting, I can then see the very feint marks. The designation should be on the top of the barrel just before it drops off to the shank portion, below the Selmer and S-80 logo.

Other than that, I suspect only a mouthpiece tech (or someone experienced enough with gauges) could identify the tip-opening - and that would assume the piece was never opened up after-market.

If you are an experienced player, maybe a comparison of reed strengths could tell you something. Or, you may just go to a music retailer and try a variety of new S-80 (and other) pieces to replace the one you have now. Good luck. DAVE

[singlereed]

If the mouthpiece was provided with the sax originally it would almost certainly have been a C*, unless the original purchaser got the retailer to swap it for a different opening, but C* is standard issue.

[Paul Coats]

ieh, contact me at my email address below.

[ieh]

Thanks, all, for the replies.

I did check under a bright light but this thing is really worn!!
I'm not sure if it came with the horn. Was Selmer issuing these with new instruments in the early 70's? This was one of the last MkVIs made.

[king koeller]

Dear ieh, the mouthpiece that came stock with a Mark 6, was the Selmer Soloist long shank generally in the c* tip opening of about .065". You can identify this mouthpiece by the fancy chainlink scrowl work around the shank. The S-80 on the other hand, was the stock mouthpiece for the Selmer Mark 7, which came out in 1975, after Frederick Hemke colaborated with Selmer to design a "new" horn that could compete with Yamaha. The S-80 was unique in that it has a square chamber, almost like a clarinet mouthpiece. They included the c* facing, with all mark 7's as brand new equipment. When the Sololists ran out in the seventy's, I'm sure that some brand new S-80's found their way into the Mark 6's before the new mark 7's came out. I know that some will argue with me, but I feel the S-80 is an inferior design. Round chamber mouthpieces play better in tune, have a more complex overtone series than the square chambers S-80. Consult Ralph Morgan's articles in the sax journal as to what make a great mouthpiece. He talks about "hollowed out" side walls, roll over baffle, round venturi, for that "pop". and most importantly, proper facing length for the reed to have maximum vibration. The S-80 was a bad design. Morgan left Selmer over this flawed mouthpiece. He exclaimed, "are they going to make a square saxophone next?" Your Mark 6 will really come to life with a better mouthpiece like a Sumner Acousticut, Meyer, Morgan , Rubber Link, Rubber Brilhart, Selmer Sololist Short Shank, Babbitt Co. Rousseau Custom. Almost anything will sound nicer and play better than the S-80, which is a shame that it is so popular among beginers. Morgan said the reason they made the S-80 was because it's easier for machines to cut square chambers rather than to hand make hollowed out round chambers. Selmer wanted to crank out the S-80's in such high numbers that so many are miss faced or just plain unplayable.. I wish you good luck. "King"

[Paul Coats]

The reason the S80 C* is popular among beginners is that it is recommended by band directors, especially those that do not play the saxophone. The only similarity between the S80 and the earlier Soloist was the facing numbers, or in their case, letters. While the Soloist C* was an excellent mouthpiece for classical players, and still is, the S80 is not. But band directors never got the word somehow, and if asked what is the best mouthpiece will, as if trained since birth, respond "C*" without any idea of what that means. If you ask, well, what about a C**? They say, oh no, it has two stars, and is twice as bright. Really, I have heard this said. So, I ask then, what about a D, to play wiht a Dark tone? (I don't think they get the joke.)

Let me also add to the list the Vandoren V-5 mouthpieces. These are excellent. The A25 facing would be appropriate.

[king koeller]

It"s funny how the term c* has gotton so over used. I heard that Selmer is bringing back the old soloist mouthpiece. I hope it doesn't have a square chamber and has the real half arch or horse shoe chamber.
The Vandoren V-5 is a fine mouthpiece. I also love the brand new Vandoren Optimum mouthpiece, that has the Gregory Hollywood chamber, like what Art Pepper and Paul Desmond played. Also check out Charlie Bays Pieces. I just picked up a Gerry Mulligan model 'N' Baritone mouthpiece that really performs!
Good Luck! "King"