c-melody sax

[VaudvilleSax]

Ok, I searched for a thread on this, but couldnt find one when I searched specifically for "c melody reeds". Does anybody know any companies that still make reeds for a c melody using an actual c melody mouthpiece? I know that tenor reeds will work, but heard they are a bit wide and that the alto reeds are a bit skinny to cover the mouthpiece properly. I am currently hunting down a c melody and hope to find one with a c melody mouthpiece. Also, does anyone recomend any specific make or model? I am currently looking at Holtons and Bueschers (since both have ties to Mr. Wiedoeft in one way or another). I've heard that Conn's are really good though. Again, any suggestions on horns or where to find reeds?

[J.Max]

I owned a Buescher at one point, and it was a nightmare...bad intonation, bad set-up, bad everything...HOWEVER, that being said, I would buy another Buescher. They just have a better sound than the Holtons that I have seen.

Never tried a Conn...

As far as reeds go, I believe (and could be wrong) that Rico still makes them...but you have to order them directly from a distributor because no one stocks them.

As far as C-Melody mouthpieces go, Runyon makes one, Morgan makes one, and the Woodwind Co. (under Leblanc) made one until very recently.

BTW, it's cool to see that someone has an interest in the pre-Mule/Rascher guys. I've always been a fan of H. Benne Henton from the Sousa band, myself.

[Roger Aldridge]

The folks on Wade Walker's c-melody forum (do a google search on c-melody saxophone and you should find it) may be able to help you find a source for c-melody reeds if there are any still being made. Most modern c-melody mouthpieces are faced for tenor reeds. Thus, you'll only need c-melody reeds if you're going to use a vintage c-melody mouthpiece.

I was deeply into the c-melody for 3-4 years before making a decision to focus on clarinet and tenor. I highly recommend that you get as late of a model c-melody as you can find or afford. The earlier models that I used had intonation problems that were frustrating to deal with. Quite a few c-melody guys prefer the straight neck Conn (1920 and after). However, others prefer Buescher, Martin, King, Selmer, etc. I didn't know anyone who uses a Holton...even though Frankie Trumbauer played one (heavily customized as I understand it). It comes down to a personal choice in what you're looking for. Also, it comes down to the individual horn. It's important that you understand this. There are some good c-melodies and then others that are terrible in the same serial number range. Therefore, one needs to be careful in play-testing a c-melody before you decide to buy it. I, personally, preferred Buescher. In fact, the best c-melody I played intonation-wise was a Buescher stencil.

A number of companies are now making modern c-melody mouthpieces. Believe me, I tried everything on the market that I could get my hands on. My personal recommendation is Morgan. It's based on measurements taken from original c-melody mouthpieces. Therefore, the Morgan mouthpiece is a good accoustical match for the "missing cone" of a c-melody. It's my opinion that a number of modern c-melody mouthpieces do not have a large enough chamber....such as the Beechler piece. Morgan isn't one of them. The other good thing about a Morgan c-melody mouthpiece is that it doesn't sound like a stuffy and tubby vintage mouthpiece. A Morgan really brings a c-melody to life with a great sound and excellent projection. The other c-melody mouthpieces that I tried such as Runyon, Beechler, Street, Woodwind Co, etc. didn't do anything for me. However, the c-melody guys that I know who use these mouthpieces report having good results with them. I also know some guys who use alto or tenor mouthpieces on their c-mel. So, you see, it's a very personal and individual thing when it comes to c-melody mouthpieces! Also, Hans Zinner makes a line of c-melody mouthpieces that I'd think would be good. But, I never had a chance to try one.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Roger

[Captain Beeflat]

Bass clarinet reeds are pretty close in size to the original C Melody reeds. However, many of us who play this instrument use our Bb tenor mouthpieces because the original C melody mouthpieces tend to be stuffy with their close lay.
As Roger says, many mouthpiece manufacturers produce modern C melody mouthpieces, Morgan being only one; the modern C mel mouthpieces invariably designed for tenor reeds.
There is a wealth of information with regard to C melody saxophones & their nuances on www.cmelodysax.co.uk

[JMac]

For original C Melody reeds, the folks at Maccaferri (http://www.reedstore.com/cmelody.htm)still sell them. Vintage from the 1940's. I bought a box of their vintage alto reeds and was quite surprised by the quality. The poster saxmong also offers them on his website (http://aquilasax.com/)- designed to support C-Melody players.

There is a lot of good advice above. I recently purchased a C Melody from Charles Fail Music on e-Bay. They also have their own website (http://www.charlesfail.com/Saxophones.htm). It is a fully restored and set up Buescher. The price paid is well above a typical eBay price, but the horn is immaculate, required absolutely no adjustments, and came with a brand new case. Many eBay horns are a crap-shoot, and may require a good deal of tech work to get into decent playing shape. Charles Fail Music have one listed on their site right now, the price on it is higher than what I paid via eBay - but it is a later model with the original Buescher C-mel mouthpiece, both of which make it more desirable. I imagine they may be willing to negotiate a bit on price if you are interested.

Intonation on my earlier model Buescher is very good. It came with a no-name C-Mel mouthpiece which played in tune, but the upper register g-c was quite stuffy. I purchased a Morgan C-mel piece, and it really evened out the tone of the horn. The Morgan uses tenor reeds - surprisingly, I found I like the tone and responsivenes of Fibracells on mine. I guess it is only surprising because I tend to favor cane...

Best of luck, and keep us updated on our progress! - Jeff

[Roger Aldridge]

Jmac,

Man, I'm drooling over that 1926 Buescher c-melody at Charles Fail. What a great looking horn! If the horn has good intonation, it's my feeling that the $925 price is worth it. After all, one could end up spending more money on getting a c-mel and then having a repair tech work on it to get it in good-playing condition. I'm ashamed to think of all of the money that I spent on my c-mels. If I had seen that Charles Fail c-mel 5 years ago I would have plunked the money down for it in a heartbeat.

Also, thanks for the plug about the reed store. I had not heard of it before.

Roger

[JMac]

Roger -

I have had Charles Fail on my favorite sellers list in eBay for quite some time because of the really nice horns they put up for auction. When I finally decided to include a C Melody, the timing was right in that they had a couple up for offer. He also sold a slew of them just after I bought mine back in early March.

I was quite pleased to find out that the quality of their set up is on par with the visual quality of their horns. As I am sure you know, it is one thing to get a good looking horn and quite another to get one in proper adjustment!

As far as the Maccaferri reeds - I actually saw an ad in The Saxophone journal and decided to give them a try. A few months later, Saxquest was selling a vintage Maccaferri nylon saxophone mouthpiece, so I e-mailed the founders daughter, who now runs the business, to let her know one was available if she had any interest. Very nice person. The have a second website (http://www.frenchamericanreeds.com/) with a lot more information on the reeds, including the company's history. Why not all on one site - who knows? I am a sucker for stories like theirs....

If you go for the vintage reeds, I would recommend getting them slightly softer than usual so you can clip the tips - they seem to play a bit better that way! -Jeff

[Roger Aldridge]

This is getting off topic, but have you tried their clarinet reeds? If so, is it possible to compare them to a current brand/cut?

[JMac]

Roger - I have not had that chance. Since the bambino came, my clarinet studies have taken a back seat to diaper changing, etc.... :cry:

[VaudvilleSax]

Thanks for the info everyone! There is a store in San Carlos (California) called Hornucopia that deals with vintage horns. I asked about a C-melody there and they only had one in-store that was not in playing condition but they are going to check their warehouse for others as well as try to track one down for me in good playing condition. They WILL let me try it out before I buy it even if they hunt one down for me and purchase it. Also, I was suprised at the price... I was told that to get one in playing condition through them I'd be looking at between $200 and $250. Of course, I'll be checking the ENTIRE horn over before purchasing for intonation, mechanical issues, and other wear. I'll keep you posted and let you know when I eventually pick one out.

Again, thanks for all your help! :)

[saxmong]

Aquilasax.com has new C mel reeds for sale in a range of strengths.

http://aquilasax.com