The Best I've sounded on my P

[Keith Ridenhour]

I was using a Berg 130/1 which wasn't bad but I missed the edge and fatness of tone that I've gotten with other setups so I trialed a Vandoran Jumbo Java T75 which I've tryed before but it would close up at volume for me so I bought (jumped off the deep end) a T 97 and it really gives me the edge I like but really adds a core to my P tone that I like alot. I don't know if it has enough pop or volume for RnB but with a reed change it might. (I'm using a Rico 2.5) Unfortunately I got it off Ebay in a depressed Buy it now moment for 80 bucks plus shipping (I have seen them for as low as 30?) Anyway, if you check my website, the Vandoran was fairly close to my Guardala tone on my The Martin awhile back at one third the price? Its a nice feeling to just want to play and not record it for "validation" from the masses. Anyway, a friend is going to send me a neck to check out to make the horn freer blowing?? Always fine tuning. This is a good horn!!! Whats really cool about the Vandoran is that I know my horn isn't adjusted right and has minor leaks I can feel but I can "blow" across them with this piece and my tech is way fast? Anyway, WW and BWs has them for trial if anybodys interested. K

[gary]

Hard to keep up with you, Keith, LOL. So let me see if I got this right:

The Vandoren T97 that you just bought sounds like the Martin/Guardala combination on your home page?
...which is where on the home page? Thanks.

[Keith Ridenhour]

http://kride.net/music/GuarBeechJumbp.mp3
http://kride.net/music/Vandorant75Berg130over1.mp3

The Guardala Super King, Beechler 8 and Van Jumbo 75 are the first clip on my The Martin a few years ago.
Second is a comparison of the T 75 and my Berg 130/1 on my P Mauiet a month ago. The T 97 to my ears has a better core to the sound for me than the 75 and doesn't sound so "plasticy". I was playing it today with Rico 2.5s and it is dark with edge like I like. Has a real different feel to it vrs other pieces I've played but after playing th e97 the Berg is very hard to play. The Van seems to "fit" my emb better?? Who knows. I'm happy for today anyway. K

[gary]

Thanks. I've listened to them before. I just didn't see it posted anywhere on your music page that you were playing a Martin.

[Daktion]

keith, you kinda lost me on the back half of your original post. Are you saying that the horn has some minor leaks but you can still hit every note with this new mpc? I don't understand if your tech is fast, why don't you send it to him to get it adjusted and fixed?

Anyways, nice clips. What lig are you using now? I know I actually prefer the orig lig that came with my P. over the rovner... the rovner seems to dampen my sound too much.

[Keith Ridenhour]

I meant that my technique seemed faster with this piece than the berg. My repair tech is fast but thats a different topic. I am using a plain metal lig. It does add body and volume to the tone vrs a Rovner Dark. K

[GAS_Wyo]

I'm off to cyberspace (Al Gore's invention ;-)) to try out some Vandorens. With my redeveloping embrochure I'm going to try out T97 (just wishing), T75, T55 and T45. I'll probably end up at the 75...with Java 2/2's. I've heard a lot of good about these pieces.

Thanks for posting this comment Keith!

[usda]

I donno, I got lost with your mouth pieces...the P Murant horn sounded more to my liking...dark and mellow. If your trying to make a point with mp's why chose different horns to do so?

[Keith Ridenhour]

The Martin got sold a few months ago when I decided to buy the P Mauriet. You are hearing on my webpage various horns over the last 5 years of my playing. I've recorded at gigs and recording sessions a 63 The Martin, 48 The Martin, Yamaha 62 Mk II, Yamaha 61. I think at one time I had a clip of a Buescher Aristocrat , King Super 20, Conn 10 but I'd have to look for that one. I can't find my clips of the Mk 6 or cannonballs, vitos, Couf Superba 2 and weird stuff I bought and then sold. I wouldn't reccomend this approach to getting the "right horn". It does get confusing?? K ( I think I sounded very good on the first tenor I bought 10 years ago , a Martin Committee 2. Then I went "modern" and really took some steps backwards. This P has some of the character of a Committee 2 with better action and intonation.)