You Must Try the Jody Jazz DV!!

[Saxplayer1]

Gentlemen,,

Recently purchased the Jody Jazz DV 7* for my Ref. 36 Tenor and a 6 for my Ref. 54 alto. All I can say is "Amazing." It is the most fun you will ever have with your clothes on. Easy to play, incredible depth and projection. Altissimo effortless. A must try, but beware, after playing this piece, you will be mentally messed up. You won't like your current set-up anymore. After 30 years of playing, I believe these are the finest pieces ever created for the sax. Jody nailed this one.

[jacobeid]

I play a jody jazz classic and nothing can compare to it. I would imagine the DV would be even more amazing but I'm not sure I'm willing to put that much money into a mouthpiece.

[thehighend]

Saxplayer1, so are you saying you like it? :)

[motorcitymark]

Mine is being made right now, I currently play dukoff 8 and Jody reccomended the 8* so I hope to have it next week.

[Saxplayer1]

You are in for a treat.

[motorcitymark]

Well I got it today and it blows the Dukoff 8 away. The thick sounds are great with the plasticover 3.5 and tomorrow I am going to work with a few different types. I love this thing!

[Blackwolf42]

How bright is the piece?

[58tenor]

I tried one of these after buying a new sax. Hey,why not just change everything? After the novelty wore off (3 days) I realized it wasn't for me. Not needing a near $400 paperweight, it was returned.

It really cut and played easy. BUT it was all edge. Almost shrill and with no body or color. Went back to my old piece and am happy. It's funny, I heard other guys with these DV's and thought they sounded dry and shrill. In a moment of weakness I caved in to the slick hype so prevalent these days....

Anyway,just my results. Don't mean to put a damper on the jubilation here.

[Blackwolf42]

Yeah, I have to admit that the chamber/baffle/throat design seems excessive. It just looks to me like it would be whiny and bright.

[Jbroad572]

I tried one of these after buying a new sax. Hey,why not just change everything? After the novelty wore off (3 days) I realized it wasn't for me. Not needing a near $400 paperweight, it was returned.

It really cut and played easy. BUT it was all edge. Almost shrill and with no body or color. Went back to my old piece and am happy. It's funny, I heard other guys with these DV's and thought they sounded dry and shrill. In a moment of weakness I caved in to the slick hype so prevalent these days....

Anyway,just my results. Don't mean to put a damper on the jubilation here.
Very similar experience here as well. I don't know if it was just my horn or not, but it was too shrill, harsh in the middle register on up. The low notes sounded beautiful though, but that doesn't do much for me. I tried several different reeds and as much as I wanted to like the piece, I had to send it back. It was definitely easy to play though. While I had it, I really started to listen to other clips of people with it and was hearing exactly what I did not like. So, back it went. I trialed an ESP and fell in love with it, I liked it much better than the DV, especially with the spolier. My favorite piece so far has been the Barone Hollywood, but there is an extremely long wait for it.

[andrewbowie]

Just to say that I am on the side of the enthusiasts. I've had a DV tenor for 9 months and am really happy with it. It is bright, but not at all shrill, and is very easy-blowing indeed, which gives one a great deal more speed and accuracy. It took me some time to figure out how to get the best out of it. I found that I should use reeds about half a strength more than on other tenor MPCs, and that one could start a gig with the reed feeling slightly too hard. After blowing at substantial volume for a couple of numbers the response becomes incredible. It is very flexible in tone and one can colour notes when ballad playing with no effort. If you find yourself running out of steam and air, this is the mouthpiece to give you the energy back. It won't suit everyone, but it might just be the answer to your dreams, as it has been for me. I'm waiting on the Alto DV now: I love the Jody ESP, which is much the best alto MPC I've played, but suspect the DV will win out. As everyone says, Jody is also exemplary in customer care. The DV's a lot of money, but it's a lot of mouthpiece.

[Saxplayer1]

One thing I have noticed with the DV is don't play reeds such as ZZ or LaVoz, because this can cause the sound to be excessively bright or edgy. These reeds were great with my SR Fusion or 30 year old NY Link but not with the DV. I recommend Alexanders, Standard Vandorens or even Rico's. If you try this, you will notice considerable warmth and less edge. I recently did a gig and Wilton Felder of the Crusader's walked up to me to check out my set-up and said: "Man your sound is fat!" I was playing my DV 7*, Rovner Dark Lig, a standard Rico V-2.5 with my Ref. 36 Tenor.

[Dr G]

Wilton Felder of the Crusader's walked up to me to check out my set-up and said: "Man your sound is fat!"

There is another of my favorite tenor tones... How is Wilton doing these days? Any news of fresh recording projects?

[Saxplayer1]

Hi Dr. G. He's doing great. His son and I play have played together off & on for years and have known each other since the age of 14. I'm 45 now. Wilton Jr. is a great bass player. Wilton Sr. mentored me from early on and I learned a lot from him, since I was originally a classically trained clarinetist. Wilton, George & Stix got together a few years back and did the Rural Renewal album which was a return back to their early 60's roots. A very funky album and a lot of fun. He's kinda enjoying retirement, which Joe seems to keep going on his solo projects. I can say this, Wilton certainly has his own distinctive tenor voice, unlike anyone else. Watching him play at the house or live is quite incredible.

[Dr G]

That's great to hear. I envy you the opportunity to have had such a wonderful influence so early in your life.

Best wishes to Wilton - the man was an incredible influence on my music as well. I regret never having had the chance to hear him live - much less in the living room! The Crusaders - that was some great music. I feel sorry at times for the youngsters these days - they really don't know what they are missing.

Thanks for bringing back some great memories.

[Saxplayer1]

I agree when you mention the youngsters these days not knowing what they're missing. The creativity & musical ideas, the musicianship. For my son, who is 15 now and a gifted drummer, I've turned him on to all the jazz greats, taken him to clinics to meet some of these wonderful musicians, we discuss the musical ideas behind the compositions and arrangements and so forth. I wish more of us adults would take more time for these youngsters.

The drawback is he's into my album and CD collection constantly. I have to ask him to borrow an album now.

[andrewbowie]

The Alto DV is as good as the tenor. Huge volume, great control up top, beautiful at low volume, and a wonderful full tone.

[saxymanzach]

A must try, but beware, after playing this piece, you will be mentally messed up. You won't like your current set-up anymore.

That is true. But I eventually realized that a piece as easy to play as that on a trial is too good to be true.

I tried it, almost got it, but then realized that my technique would be better served trying to play a Link. Glad I made that desicion.

Nonetheless, AMAZING piece. And a little too pricey @ I think $500.

[deiter1977]

...I eventually realized that a piece as easy to play as that on a trial is too good to be true.

I tried it, almost got it, but then realized that my technique would be better served trying to play a Link. Glad I made that desicion.

Nonetheless, AMAZING piece. And a little too pricey @ I think $500.
saxymanzach, would you reconsider for a 30% discount? Try Scimonetti's (http://scimonetti.netfirms.com/store/nfoscomm/catalog/contact_us.php) in Lancaster, CA. I just bought a JJ DV 7* there yesterday, and that's around the price I got. Good luck!

[andrewbowie]

The idea of a MPC that is too easy to play escapes me! My experience with the DV is that it clears away problems of clarity, projection, and volume to begin with. What then happens is that you find your technique improves because you can forget about struggling with tone-production, etc., and can concentrate on playing. I also find that the DV keeps offering more, the more you get used to it. If it's that good to start with, imagine what it's like later. I have never been able to get anything useful out of a Link, but I know lots swear by them, so it really is down to the individual.

[deiter1977]

That is true. But I eventually realized that a piece as easy to play as that on a trial is too good to be true.

I tried it, almost got it, but then realized that my technique would be better served trying to play a Link. Glad I made that desicion.
saxymanzach, it seems that your theory is to use more difficult gear in the interest of improving your technique. I respect your commitment to diligence, but I must admit that I'm far too lazy to even consider that approach!:roll: In light of this theory, are you in search of the worst sax in the world? If it has "challenging" ergonomics, intonation, and is full of leaks, it seems this would afford you the opportunity for maximum improvement!:shock:

Unless you have further complaints about the DV, I'd only worry about the price!:nike:

[motorcitymark]

I had the guitar player tell me how much clearer my Selmer sounded with the DV mp. That is odd for him to even hear it lol. But it does blow effortlessly on the low end and I love that for the blues. I started solo's with low b flat and that was unheard of in the past on a quiet slow blues number. But your right it now makes me focus on my runs and slurs and drops and I love the direction I am going in with it. The only problem I am having is finding the consistant reed. I went thru ever reed made by rico, van doren, and a couple of others and the one I went with is the plasticover still. I love the 2.5 for the low end but need the 3 to not crush the reed for the upper end. I may be over blowing the altissimo so I am gonna practice with the 2.5 more tonight (they are so much nicer on your lip) When you play every weekend it kills you to have a ripped lip.

[ominous54]

I had it for a few days. I got it because the hype, and it turned out I was very dissapointed. The high end sounded very "tinny" and shrill. I will not at all slam the control though. Definately the most control I have ever felt from a piece. Even fighting for tone, the best I was able to do was sound as warm as a synthesized keyboard alto. I spoke with Jody about it and he told me to give it 6 months to get used to it, but for that price-tag, I shouldn't have to change my technique after 20 years. It went back to the store and and my search continues to beat my old relaible C-star.

[calisax]

I tried it recently at the local store. Way too overpriced if you ask me. I'll stick with my Meyer.

[andrewbowie]

It's not for everyone, but it transformed my playing, as I have said before. I think a lot depends on how bright your basic sound is. Mine is pretty dark and the DV gives me the edge I want without it being shrill or hard. Check out
http://www.garageband.com/artist/bowie
to see what I mean.

[calisax]

It's not for everyone, but it transformed my playing, as I have said before. I think a lot depends on how bright your basic sound is. Mine is pretty dark and the DV gives me the edge I want without it being shrill or hard. Check out
http://www.garageband.com/artist/bowie
to see what I mean.

Yeah, okay... that sounds pretty good. I tried it on my 82z tenor, but was also using hemke 2 1/2, which I don't ordinarily use. Maybe it would be worth another go on my Chu, La voz setup.

[andrewbowie]

I use Alexander DC 3s: which is harder than anything I used on other mouthpieces.

[calisax]

I use Alexander DC 3s: which is harder than anything I used on other mouthpieces.

I've yet to try those, but I think I will this next weekend.

[playitfunky]

Yeah, okay... that sounds pretty good. I tried it on my 82z tenor, but was also using hemke 2 1/2, which I don't ordinarily use. Maybe it would be worth another go on my Chu, La voz setup.

You really should try a vandoren v16 in size #3. The DV is designed to allow a harder read. #3-4 is what most guys play on them. It really is a kick *** piece, but if the reed is to soft or cut to be edgy IE Javas they won't sound well on a DV.

[deb1033]

Well I just spent most of my Christmas/ Birthday money on a 7* today, let's hope it serves me well. I got it 50$ off and with next day shipping, so I can't wait! :shock: It should be fun, and hopefully as rewarding as Saxplayer1's experience.

[HSJunior10TSax]

Now I'm just a stupid kid, but couldn't you dampen the brightness with a good ligature (like the Rovner Dark) and harder reeds? Seems like for the kind of joy expressed here, it'd be worth a shot. . .

Are there certain aspects to a saxophone's body or neck that can dampen the sound? Maybe the bore size, weight of the metal, etc.? There are probably multiple ways to combat the annoying shrillness of the DV and others like it.

[Sonnyside]

I bought a DV some time ago and was amazed how it felt in the music store. It seemed to have the power I was looking for and it was extremely easy to play. After working with it for a month I realized "this isn't what I want to sound like!" For me the DV sounded thin, edgy and lacked warmth and character. I tried many different reads and worked with the shape of my throat and mouth but no matter what I did, I couldn't make it sound any different. The guys in the swing band kidded me "when did you switch to a rock-and-roll sound?"

For me, I prefer the STM Link sound, even if it takes a bit more work. This isn't a knock to those of you that like the DV. Different players may experience different results.

[GAS_Wyo]

I bought a DV some time ago and was amazed how it felt in the music store. It seemed to have the power I was looking for and it was extremely easy to play. After working with it for a month I realized "this isn't what I want to sound like!" For me the DV sounded thin, edgy and lacked warmth and character. I tried many different reads and worked with the shape of my throat and mouth but no matter what I did, I couldn't make it sound any different. The guys in the swing band kidded me "when did you switch to a rock-and-roll sound?"

For me, I prefer the STM Link sound, even if it takes a bit more work. This isn't a knock to those of you that like the DV. Different players may experience different results.

Then you would probably like the JJ DVNY! I've been a Link player for a while now (tenor) and the DVNY sounds like my STM (Tenney) but with a little more edge to the sound. It seems easier to control for me also. Granted, I've only had it for 2 playing sessions so far, but I like what I'm hearing so far.

I've also found out (it's not like I haven't read this on SOTW a hundred times) that staying with a piece and learning to play it for a few months (at least 3 times a week) is the best way to judge whether a piece will work for you long term. I gave my Tenney STM's about a year, but never got the sound I had hoped for. I'm playing on a Ref 36 tenor. YMMV. :D