Borgani Mouthpiece Advice

[Windswept]

Present set up Borgani "Joe Lovano" model tenor sax with current Otto Link metal Super Tone Master 7 with Rico Jazz Select 2M reeds.

I’m looking for a HR mouthpiece. I find the present set up too coarse and am looking for a slightly darker, smoother sound that will allow me to add more edge if I wish to. I’ve read through the boards comments on a variety of mouthpieces it would appear that a Lamberson L or J may fit the bill. or an RPC. In addition there is the Tenney Custom Select Otto Link or a Pillinger.

A further factor is I’m located in the UK so have no way of play testing any of these pieces apart from the Pillinger.

Any advice comments etc on the above choices most welcome?

[brassnaked]

I have the Borgani Vintage Tenor and use the Lamberson J8 black hard rubber AND a J8 made from white acetal(Delrin®) and have stopped looking for that "perfect mouthpiece." I also have one of Fred's white acetal DD8 which is EXTREMELY bright and edgy, actually the TOTAL opposite of the J8. I HONESTLY don't think you'd be disappointed with ANY of Fred Lamberson's MP's, and I'd STRONGLY recommend the J8 for you.

Alway & Never the Same

[tophatsax]

I have played a number of Tenney pieces (Broadus, HR hand select and STM) and they are all fantastic, but it sounds like you are heading away from the Link type sound. I just got an RPC 105B and absolutely love it. It's very complex and can be played both warmley and LOUD, depending on what you need.

I'm playing a Lamerson F Maj7 bari piece that was refaced by Johannes Gerber that I like real well too.

Do a search on Lamerson & RPC here on the forum and you'll find plenty of opinions.

[dolphyo]

hello windswept, tell ed pillinger to show you and let you play a tony coe model.coe has the smoothest sound on tenor in any continent. i believe these mpcs are not made anymore,but old stock could be bought. coe is great and sounds like a slinky gonsalves playing snakes..sss

[Dr G]

I HONESTLY don't think you'd be disappointed with ANY of Fred Lamberson's MP's, and I'd STRONGLY recommend the J8 for you.

I play a silver pearl Jubilee tenor and also enjoy Lamberson mouthpieces. HOWEVER, you might be disappointed if you get one and are not yet ready to play a large tip opening with no baffle. From what you describe, you are playing a fairly close mouthpiece with a reasonably soft reed. Be aware that a Lamberson "8" - according to Fred's website - is a .120" tip opening. My J8 certainly plays easier than that tip opening might indicate but I offer the word of caution nonetheless. My other Lambersons are a J7 and an L7. I enjoy them all on the Borg'.

That aside, for your apparent needs now, I'd suggest that you get a Link hard rubber mouthpiece in a 7* or 8 (.105 - .110") and work with that. A slightly larger tip opening tends to have a little more buzz when pushed. Experiment also with different brands, cuts, and strength of reeds to tune your setup.

And while you're at it, have a beer for me too. I can neither drink alcohol nor play today because I got an emergency wisdom tooth extraction last night. ;/

:borg:

[Thomas]

Last year I tried a bunch of these tenors at the factory in Macerata all with my RPC .110 low rollover/large chambered piece and they sounded great. Nice horn but in my opinion not that much better than many horns, to justify the price. If I needed a new tenor I'd buy one though. I think they(Borganis) benefit from a HR low baffled large chambered piece

[Windswept]

Thanks for all the input guys.

dolphyo wrote:
coe is great and sounds like a slinky gonsalves playing snakes
Couldn't agree more but I don't won't to be that smooth, perhaps my description was a bit out.

Dr G wrote:
From what you describe, you are playing a fairly close mouthpiece with a reasonably soft reed. Be aware that a Lamberson "8" - according to Fred's website - is a .120" tip opening.
I was thinking more of the "6" or "7". Could you give me any pointers on the difference in tone between the J7 and L7.

You seem to suggesting that I move to a larger tip opening, does this darken the tone slightly? Also I assume you are talking about a stock Link hard rubber. Thanks for replies in advance

Afraid I can't have a beer for you today, I do a lot of road running races and I've two this weekend, perhaps Sunday evening though. Hope the lack of tooth has calmed down. :roll:

[joão tavares]

I go test in the two nex days th Labayle wood jazz chamber 8* in mine tenor Borgani jubile in pearl silver with welded bell...

[Dr G]

I was thinking more of the "6" or "7". Could you give me any pointers on the difference in tone between the J7 and L7.

You seem to suggesting that I move to a larger tip opening, does this darken the tone slightly? Also I assume you are talking about a stock Link hard rubber. Thanks for replies in advance

Fred's "7" is an "8" in Link-speak - that's .110" at the tip. So, yes, his 6 may be a good choice for you. His lay may be entirely different and thus the Lamberson may play more easily than an equivalent tip opening from another maker. As others have said, all of Fred's 'pieces have a lot of tone in them - either the J or L could probably keep you happy for a long time.

What I was suggesting is that you stay with a Link-style (large chamber, small rollover baffle, concave sidewalls) for the darkness and a larger tip opening coupled with a softer reed to enhance the buzz/edge when pushed to greater volume. If you are currently using a small tip opening with a soft reed, you don't have too many options but that may change with time.

See Fred's website for his descriptions of the various models. The J is probably a little tougher for a lot of people to play because of its near absence of baffle. The L is still plenty dark in the bigger scope of things. I've been heading toward the dark side for years now and the L is the brightest in my bag o' tricks. Still very full of rich tone and a pleasure to play - very versatile.

Other mouthpieces that have come and gone: Lawton 8, Lawton 8*B, Barone silver Jazz 8, Barone Hollywood, Barone New York, Morgan "L" in varous sizes, etc. These were the 'pieces I liked at the time and spent quite a bit of time playing. Other, brighter, 'pieces didn't keep my interest.

[Windswept]

Thanks again Dr G. for all the advice and comments. Truly useful. 8)

I'll post how things go.

[ManEast]

Present set up Borgani "Joe Lovano" model tenor sax with current Otto Link metal Super Tone Master 7 with Rico Jazz Select 2M reeds.

I’m looking for a HR mouthpiece. I find the present set up too coarse and am looking for a slightly darker, smoother sound that will allow me to add more edge if I wish to. I’ve read through the boards comments on a variety of mouthpieces it would appear that a Lamberson L or J may fit the bill. or an RPC. In addition there is the Tenney Custom Select Otto Link or a Pillinger.

A further factor is I’m located in the UK so have no way of play testing any of these pieces apart from the Pillinger.

Any advice comments etc on the above choices most welcome?

Hi
Have you now got a M.P for your borgani??
I use a vintage Link STM 7* with a 3 java ... I think the set-up above could be too soft on your chop's.

Rick

[Dr G]

Congrats for reviving such an old post. How did you find that?

BTW, I now have a newer Jubilee but am still (actually, "again") using a Lamberson J8.

Full circle in less than 4 years!


:borg:

[ManEast]

Hi
Lambs are news to me, not seen one yours or my side of the pond !
How's your new borg?

[Windswept]

Hi
Have you now got a M.P for your borgani??
I use a vintage Link STM 7* with a 3 java ... I think the set-up above could be too soft on your chop's.

Rick

I'm now using, and happy with, a Pillinger NYT model with a 7*I facing, Rico Jazz Select 3M reed and a vintage flexible selmer lig.