Ok. I'll reply myself to my own question: I found a short NAMM 2018 demo on YouTube by Christopher Madsen. He plays on Vandoren V16 T6-L. A bit dryish sound for a large chamber mpc, IMO. But otherwise ok.

 

He forgot to remove the neck bag from inside the bell...

 

I think that dry sound you are hearing is just the character of the V16 Ebonite pieces in general. I had played a T6 and then a T8 the last two years before acquiring a really good Link STM 6* last month, and the dry-ness of the V16 pieces is very evident to me now. It's not a bad sound at all, just has a different character to it.

 

I think that dry sound you are hearing is just the character of the V16 Ebonite pieces in general. It's not a bad sound at all, just has a different character to it.

Yes I agree.

I have or have had several Vandoren Javas, from T45 up to T 95, and even tried a T97 when they still were available. Javas were never my main mouthpieces, though occasionally - just for fun, like today - I practice on a very old T45 or a newer T55. Both happen to be quite good, especially the ancient T45. It's definitely much better than the recent ones. It has clear marks of hand finishing and overall it plays much better than the new more mass produced models. It is also the main reason I got interested in Vandoren mouthpieces. That and the affordable price of course. Now I'm going to get rid of all surplus mouthpieces and keep only those I actually use. And they are all Link-like pieces.

 

Ok, now I have found the answer to my original question about Vandoren V16 HR Large chamber tenor mouthpieces. It's all in their latest E-Catalog 2018. I didn't find it earlier but googled again. This: www.vandoren-en.com/downloads/E-catalogs_t16422.html

Anyway, large chamber tenor V16 HR model is available for T6, T7, T8,5 and T9. Tip openings are the same as the regular models, except T8,5 has 2,88mm (.113") tip. All but T9 are long facing models. T9 has medium long facing.

So once again, the tip openings are T6L (.098"/2.50mm); T7L (.106"/2.70mm); T8,5L (.113"/2.88mm) and T9L (.116"/2.94mm).

I'm not a specialist Vandoren fan but maybe - this time only - I'll find out how their large chamber model will sound in my own environment. Maybe I'll start with this .113 model and compare it to my NYT 285/.112. This last mentioned is supposed to be copied/modeled after - surprise surprise - a 50's Link.

 

The V16 HR large chamber is WAY better than the prior non L version. A stupendously great slant Link copy for the price. For me not as awesome as,for example, my Johannes Gerber Vintage but less than 1/3 the price. Should be the “go to” piece for every young tenor sax student 👩*🎓 and a very good choice for many pros !

 

I play a medium T9 now & love it. I'm very interested in the large T9.

 

Holdenjazz,

Where did you get to play one? I didn't know they were out yet.

 

The December Down Beat has an ad for the large chamber V16 hr tenor mpc.

 

I tried the 8,5 L and I liked it significantly more than the original V16 version (T8). The tone was rich and thick compared to the original and it was very easy to whisper a low Bb, as well as, play the altissimo range.

I play tested the piece with several Rigotti Gold and Java red reeds and they all played fairly well. There were no intonation quirks and articulation was very good. Hope this helps.

 

Check out this video of Mike from Sax.co.uk playing the large chamber. Its the last mouthpiece in the video.

 

This might help to just listen to each mpc back to back with out all the talk.

Link 2:45 - D'Addario 5:10 - Van (M) 7:25 - Jody 9:50 - Van (L) 12:20

Posted in the comments of the Youtube.

 

I've been using the metal version of v16 moutpieces for two years, and I set on the T7M (though I keep a T8S which is fantastic as well). Which tip opening should I try on the HR version: the T7L, T8.5L?... I ask the question because the facings are different. The facing of the metal T7 is medium-long, and long on the T8. On the other side, on the HR version, the T7, T8.5 both have long facing. Should I go for the T8.5?

 

Bump. Has anyone tried those large chamber HR mouthpieces, and also has an experience with the V16 metals? The tip openings and facing lengths are different, so I'm wondering how differently they feel.

 

I have a couple of Vandoren pieces. T75 (ML - Jazz) and TL5 (M - Classical) . I find them remarkably similar in character to each other, as compared to my Gregory or my D’Addario. I think the previous reviews are fair. Only thing I would say, is that I won’t be buying a Vandoren off the internet again. Despite the rave reviews about consistency..........the TL5 I received is just ordinary: It has a problem with centering. The tone on both of my Vandorens does indeed have a mild, airy, dry quality that was referred to previously. So maybe the catalog is a good place to start, but I wouldn’t buy one without hooking it up to your horn and blowing into it first.

.....have been playing the TL5 for a couple of months now. Again, nothing special, but definitely adequate.

 

Interesting how these pieces are always referred to as a good student piece even though they are played by numerous high profile professionals. In fact I don’t think there is another mouthpiece out there that is played by so many pros. Sure, there are tons of pros that play Links but most don’t play a current production model.

 

Interesting how these pieces are always referred to as a good student piece even though they are played by numerous high profile professionals. In fact I don't think there is another mouthpiece out there that is played by so many pros. Sure, there are tons of pros that play Links but most don't play a current production model.

I can think of 3 right off the bat. But There's definitely a lot more pros playing Otto Links or even Theo Wanne's for that matter. Way more models though for those two so it's not the 'same'.

 

What the pro players do not say, either, is whether they had their Vandoren piece refaced.

 

I just find it curious that Vandoren gets a lot of good reviews but usually it's "good for a mass produced piece" or "good for a student" while players like Victor Goines, Troy Roberts, Branford Marsalis, Adam Larsen, Roxy Coss, Lucas Pino, Bill Easley and Ralph Bowen(V16 Metal and Java) are earning a living playing these pieces. Also notable for Vandoren in general is Walter Blanding who plays a Java T95.

Perhaps we(and me especially) are caught up in thinking you get a "better" sound from an expensive hand made piece when in actuality all we have to do is get used to a piece. IDK, just thinking out loud.

 

True. Need to consider how attractive the Vandoren endorsement deal may be too.

 

I didn't have an opportunity to try a large chamber version yet but I just recorded a quick test of the standard V16 T7. To be honest I thought about selling it but then I listened to the recording and liked the sound. I think it sounds pretty cool. Anyway here is the video:

 

You sound great on that piece. I tried the large chamber and found it tubby, somewhat muffled and more resistant.

Mojo, endorsement deals may be good but I wonder if these players would sacrifice sound and/or playability for the money.

 

I know it's an old thread, but I think it will help those considering buying the V16 HR large chamber...