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Basic Jazz Tenor Mouthpiece?

3534 Views 32 Replies 18 Participants Last post by  ChuBerry47
Sorry for not using the search button. I'm new to this forum and I can't quite find it. Also, if I'm in the wrong forum I appologize. Just direct me to the correct one and I won't make the same mistake again.

Anyways, I'm a clarinet player primarily, but I double on sax. I've decided I'm proficient enough to move off of my Yamaha 4C, that my High School provides, me and get a Jazz Mouthpiece.

I'm looking for a sound that is kinda gritty, kinda harsh. Like the polar opposite of Dave Brubeck. My price range is from 50-100 dollars. I'm willing to switch of the Blue Box Vandoren's I play on right now, and I have a Rovner Dark ligature. The Sax I'm playing on, and have no option of switching, is a Yamaha Student model tenor.

Thanks in advance, and sorry for any mistakes I might have made.
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Otto Link. Play through a whole bunch of them if you can.
I thought OttoLinks were very expensive?
Ryan K said:
I thought OttoLinks were very expensive?
Not really (Less than $100 for a new Hard Rubber, less for used current production model.)

I think I saw a post in the Marketplace section about a used Rico Metalite Tenor piece that might do what you want it to....
Here: post
Good things have also been said about the Kessler Custom Basic mouthpieces ($35) (www.kesslermusic.com) and the Morgan Vintage ($98) Mouthpieces (www.junkdude.com). HR Links are $75 at junkdude.
Thank a bunch. For ordering off Junkdude, does he have like a trial period, or can I assume I'll be getting a good product.
I would take a serious look at the [new]hard rubber Vandoren V16 and go w/ a V16
or Java reed.
Ryan K said:
Thank a bunch. For ordering off Junkdude, does he have like a trial period, or can I assume I'll be getting a good product.
Just click on the "FAQ's and Policies" in the side menu.
Check out the Vandoren Java, not the Jumbo Java, mouthpiece. They are very similar to their much more expensive metal V16. They can be found for cheap on ebay and elsewhere.
Al Stevens said:
Dave Brubeck doesn't play saxophone.
I figured I'd leave that one alone. I make enough smartass comments on this forum.
Forgive me for being....uneduacted. I bought a Dave Brubeck Quartet, and I want the opposite of what the alto player sounds like on say...........Blue Rondo Ala Turk.

What does he play then?
Dave Brubeck plays piano. The saxophone player on Blue Rondo Ala Turk is Paul Desmond. He doesn't play anymore as he is dead. Prior to him dying he was known as one of the all time great alto players. He is credited with writing a little tune called Take Five. You wouldn't want to know what he thought of the tenor :D

If you are looking a good value in mouthpieces you should check out the Runyon's. The Custom or the SR might be a nice start. If you want something with more projection and power check out the Quantum.

Vandoren Jumbo Java's have a lot of projection.

A rubber link is a nice safe place to start as well.
Ryan K said:
Forgive me for being....uneduacted. I bought a Dave Brubeck Quartet, and I want the opposite of what the alto player sounds like on say...........Blue Rondo Ala Turk.

What does he play then?
That is Paul Desmond playing an MC Gregory with hard reeds. It is basically a jazzy classical mouthpiece that is best used for jazz.
Ok thanks. Ya, I mix up Desmond and Brubeck all the time. I love how Desmond sounds, but its not for me. I'll go try out the ones in the local stores. If they don't work, I'll order something.
Hey Guys What Do You Think About Claude Lakey Mouthpieces?
javsax said:
Hey Guys What Do You Think About Claude Lakey Mouthpieces?
I personally hate them, though I know people who love them and sound great (and VERY loud) on them.
Ditto on Claude Lakeys, but hate is a strong word. My friend Tony Sal plays one on his alto and has for many years, he sounds great. I tried it out but couldn't hack the pitch control in the upper register. It had a very nice center though... this was on alto. Not sure why I'm even talking about it in this thread.

Your description is pretty vague. You want the opposite of a very unique-sounding alto player, but on tenor? Ummm... try a Dukoff or something.
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