[Atratr]

I would like to know your opinions and reed preference with this piece. I haven´t played lots of tenor pieces myself, until now i like it but i have some worries about it. Well, it is a large chamber mouthpiece, so sometimes i think i have to blow really hard to make it speak. I suposse this is natural, and the chamber adds some resistance. And then the reeds, i have D'addario Rico Jazz Select 3S and 3M. Some 3M work but most of them feels harder for me to play. All of the 3S play but they often go too soft very soon.
The tip is 7*.

 

[J-Moen]

I'm not familiar with your specific mouthpiece, but I have played lots of Drake pieces on Alto. The reed issue is interesting, because there is not a very large gap between the 3S and 3M in terms of strength, as you can see here: https://www.sax.co.uk/saxophone-reed-information.irs

If the 3M plays well, try to play it as long as you do the 3S, and see if it softens up to the sweet spot with a lot of playing. Additionally, you could invest in a reed geek and lighten up a 3M slightly to see if that makes it any better, but you'll probably end up with something very close to a 3S that will soften up again.

 

[B Flat]

I have a Drake Reso with a .115 tip opening.
I typically use Rigotti gold 2.5 Strong or Vandoren Java green 2.5 or 3.
I actually find it quite free blowing for this style of mouthpiece.
This may be because most of my other pieces are Link STM’s in tips from 9-10*.
Try taking in a little more mouthpiece when you play.
Or you may just need to drop your reed strength by a half step.
I would persevere though as they are very nice pieces.

 

[Atratr]

I'm not familiar with your specific mouthpiece, but I have played lots of Drake pieces on Alto. The reed issue is interesting, because there is not a very large gap between the 3S and 3M in terms of strength, as you can see here: https://www.sax.co.uk/saxophone-reed-information.irs

If the 3M plays well, try to play it as long as you do the 3S, and see if it softens up to the sweet spot with a lot of playing. Additionally, you could invest in a reed geek and lighten up a 3M slightly to see if that makes it any better, but you'll probably end up with something very close to a 3S that will soften up again.

Sadly my Reedgeek from the first generation is worn out, with some oxide causing uneven edges, but i was thinking of just keep working on the 3Ms or try another different reed. Thanks

 

[J-Moen]

Sadly my Reedgeek from the first generation is worn out, with some oxide causing uneven edges, but i was thinking of just keep working on the 3Ms or try another different reed. Thanks

Yeah, continue with the 3M and see if it dials in. Otherwise if you want to invest in other reeds, I'd recommend a Vandoren Java 3, Alexander Superial 3, or, my current personal favorite, Forestone Black Bamboo

 

[Atratr]

I have a Drake Reso with a .115 tip opening.
I typically use Rigotti gold 2.5 Strong or Vandoren Java green 2.5 or 3.
I actually find it quite free blowing for this style of mouthpiece.
This may be because most of my other pieces are Link STM's in tips from 9-10*.
Try taking in a little more mouthpiece when you play.
Or you may just need to drop your reed strength by a half step.
I would persevere though as they are very nice pieces.

Maybe i will try some Rigotti when i find how to buy it now. Will work on the 3M and check if i am taking enought moouthpiece, thanks.

 

[Atratr]

I am beggining to put harder reeds on a vodka+water bottle. I used that method in the past and i know it softens the reeds a bit so...let´s try it.

 

[Tzadik]

I had a Drake Reso #8*... on the very first made, when they were still not advertised.
https://www.facebook.com/zaddiq/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1271505966240295

It's a Reso Chamber clone. Not a Reso Chamber "on steroids".
It blows freely but of course it is very dark.

Check the table of the reeds.
If it's not perfectly flat (which can happens when seasons change), it's a mess with the stiffness.

 

[Albey]

Sadly my Reedgeek from the first generation is worn out, with some oxide causing uneven edges, but i was thinking of just keep working on the 3Ms or try another different reed. Thanks

My Reed Geek did the same thing as yours. I got a little moisture on it and it pitted in places. I replaced at a fraction of the cost with this. https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/02603249

I haven't tried these yet but they are an even better deal if you have one near you. https://www.harborfreight.com/5-pie...3znaCmffwNmVR4HxT4HTgoVZP3aUoVicaAo-xEALw_wcB

 

[Atratr]

My Reed Geek did the same thing as yours. I got a little moisture on it and it pitted in places. I replaced at a fraction of the cost with this. https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/02603249

I haven't tried these yet but they are an even better deal if you have one near you. https://www.harborfreight.com/5-pie...3znaCmffwNmVR4HxT4HTgoVZP3aUoVicaAo-xEALw_wcB

Thanks for that suggestion, i saw that option a while ago but i did not find where to buy it on Europe, i live in Spain.