Need help with SA80II Soprano

[George]

I have been playing my Selmer SA80II for about 10 years. Working my way through mouthpieces I finally felt comfortable with a metal link Tone Master 8* (not STM, no ridge) and a RJS 4S filed reed. I wasn't completely happy with the warmth of my upper register, though.

I recently tried an SX90II in BN and found that although I liked the sound, I couldn't keep it in tune with the mouthpiece I was using. I did, however, find that I could move up to a 4M reed because the setup was more free-blowing.

After a few weeks playing with my band I just can't keep the JK in tune right now, so I've reverted back to the Selmer SA80II.

My next step is to try to find a new mouthpiece setup for the Selmer, that might produce a darker tone with an emphasis on richer harmonics as well. I've been reading and will try the following:

Selmer Super Session J
SR Technologies metal Legend
Pomarico Wood 7J
Lawton SS 7B

I've always felt the Selmer was fairly resistant and that good reed/mouthpiece combinations were a little tough to figure out. Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions as to get the warmer richer sound I'm after - or am I destined to buy a different soprano?

[singlereed]

When I had a SA80 II sop, I experimented a lot with mouthpieces and liked to following; Selmer S80 E, Bari HR and Selmer Metal Classic D. I plainly like less open pieces than you, but after going through a shop-full of pieces in near despair, I cam back to the Selmer S80 a few degrees more open than the C* I started with and found it held its own, and I still like it. You may like the Vandoren pieces too, though for me I don't get on with them on soprano for some reason. The Super Session is also nice but is going to be brighter rather than darker.