Tenor MPC/reed combo for power

[ddeg10]

I play a 1948 'The Martin' tenor and use the Vandoren Jumbo Java T75 MPC and Vandoren #2 V16 reeds. It seems like it has been a great combo other than the power I get. I have to be mic'ed at a high level to achieve the volume level I want to at small gigs. Would you guys recommend any other combo for live gigs & jams so that I can keep up with 50-60 Watt guitar combo amps or will I always need to be mic'ed at a high level? I realize the #2 reeds are relatively soft but when playing gigs for 2-4 hours they are easier on my chops. Is the #2 reed the reason for my volume level not being that high? Or is it my mouthpiece?

[Grumps]

The Jumbo Java is a high baffled mouthpiece and should be giving you some power, but I prefer a high baffled piece with a larger chamber, such as an RPC. Even playing with rock groups, when I forget to turn my mic on, with the RPC, I don't always notice. The high baffled RPC is the loudest, yet fullest piece I've ever tried. A good buddy of mine has a The Martin tenor and I really dug trying it out with my RPC (though he prefers a rollover RPC for his horn). The maker even advises using softer reeds with his pieces, but I use a 3.

[knighttrain]

Not really too many pieces louder than a jumbo - quantum or lakey maybe, but not by much if at all.

[whaler]

Guardala Crescent with a Rico 3. It's about as loud as I can get and still play in tune. Believe it or not, in a small room, I can almost drown out a guitar player. Dukoffs can cut too.