I think it might be the photos that are doing it, kavala. Nico, please re-size your photos, and then we can probably read without having to scroll across. Thanks.kavala said:
Regarding the "wierd, square chamber" on a S80 mouthpiece, what's so wierd about it? Selmer mouthpiece division is being run by a bunch of rummies who don't know what they're doing? Thousands, probably tens of thousands, of sax players have been playing Selmer S80 C* mouthpieces with good results.
Also, Caravan is a good mpc but you should know that the suggestion to get one does not apply to the big band playing; you'll get buried using that in big band.
You should be able to get a big sound on your C*. Continue to use the Java #3 reeds on it. A lot of what some people think is "loud" is actually "projection". As I mentioned in another thread, if you play with proper projection (talk to your teacher) you can sound "louder" than someone sitting next to you blowing their brains out but doing it wrong.
Your question about intonation - have you taken your horn to an instrument repair person and asked them to look into that? If not, do it.
