big bore/big chamber, small bore/small chamber?

1927 Views 14 Replies 8 Participants Last post by bfoster64, Oct 11, 2007

Jolle

Discussion Starter · Oct 9, 2007

I've noticed while trying out mouthpieces, that there is a big difference between my old Selmer Signet and my new Chicago Jazz Series in responsiveness with the same mouthpiece.

My own BergLarsen Steel 115/2/SMS responds great on the Selmer, but is more difficult to play, especially in the low register, on my CJS. The sound is great, but it requires a lot more control.

On the other hand, trying a Lebayle jazz (great mouthpiece by the way!) I noticed it played beautifully on my CJS, but had a boring sound on my Selmer. I didn't buy it (yet), I want to try out some other ones before getting me a new mouthpiece. But it's defenitely a candidate, more than the dukoff I tried (honkin' only), or the Meyer (far too classical for me)

I believed I read something here about an influence of the bore on the size of the chamber optimal for that saxophone. Is there any mouthpiece specialist willing to shine a light on this? It would help me in my search for a new mpc, as it can narrow the search.

Thank you in advance.

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Jolle

Discussion Starter · #3 · Oct 9, 2007

Saxland said:
Is the Chicago Jazz alot more freeblowing than the Selmer Signet?

Quite the other way around I would say. Even with a bent neck (and thus some intonation problems), the Signet is more freeblowing. As far as I know, it's a Buescher stencil.

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Jolle

Discussion Starter · #12 · Oct 10, 2007

hornimus said:
I could be wrong here, but if you start measuring the IDs and lengths of body tubing, compare bow dimensions, etc. I venture the CJS and the Signet are going to be too close physically to infer any expected differences in mpc compatibility. Could it be their necks?

Well, if I try to put the neck of my CJS on the Selmer, I have a few mm(!!!) space left. The diameter of the tenon of the Selmer Signet is a few mm bigger than that of the CJS. So I doubt there is not that much difference between both. In fact, one can see the difference in dimensions with the eye.

The Selmer Signet is supposed to be a Buescher stencil
The CJS is, according to my sax teacher, more built like a Selmer SA.

Thank you all for the nice explenation of the concept "bore". This is interesting, I learn a lot about that "copper music tube"

I hope a mouthpiece expert can tell something more about the interaction between the bore of the sax and the chamber. Thanks for the link, Lamplight.

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Jolle

Discussion Starter · #14 · Oct 10, 2007

Mojo, your site rules, really. Those FAQ have opened my eyes on more than one issue. Thank you.

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