[usanase]

Hello Everyone,
I am new at this saxophone journey (7 months) mostly self thought; and a late bloomer as you call them on this forum. I have limited guidance from a friend who have been playing Jazz for over 25 years. The how I met this friend and the how he influenced me to pick up an instrument would be a great story for another day on another appropriate forum. However, it is worth mentioning that no one in my family is musical and where I come from, in Africa, schools do not have art programs and the cost of musical instrument is astronomical for most people.
My friend helped me buy a tenor saxophone (31A Elkhart by Buescher # 93763) on craigslist for really cheap ($100.00). The beauty of the deal was that it included a Selmer Soloist C* (long) mouthpiece and a vintage Selmer Mark VI tenor sax case (the rectangular kind/clarinet combo..in bad but useful shape). I admit my first mistake was to sale the case on eBay for a low amount that I am not going to discuss here…lol…and needless to describe my friend’s reaction when I told him what I had done:evil:.
Long story short I just received a Brilhart Special Ebolin (black and I think plastic) mouthpiece no ligature and no cap unfortunately.
My questions are:
- Can I use the ligature I have on the Selmer to play this new mouthpiece?
- How does the new mouthpiece compare to the Selmer in terms of performance?
(I should mention I am interested mainly in Jazz and Ben Webster, Lester Young and John Coltrane are my favorite cats for now. I can "play" a few songs (Coltrane's versions of in the sentimental mood, my one and only love, dedicated to you; Sonny Rollins St. Thomas; when I fall in love from my “The Bb Real book six ed.” and a few more! I haven’t transcribed any of the solos so I just play the melodies for the most part.) I have not recorded myself and I don’t think it is worth your time listening to my humble beginning …maybe in a year from today I will be courageous enough to share some audio!
- Is it necessary to purchase Brilhart ligature and cup to much the mouthpiece or any other make would do?
- At my stage of learning is it even advisable to use to different mouthpieces?
I will be very happy with any input/ insight you might have and if it happens that you discussed this and I failed to discover the information on my own….please understand and point me to the right direction and I will be more than happy to learn.
And for my friend Omar, I am sincerely grateful for all the help and guidance and words cannot express my new found love for the world of music that you introduced me to and the wonderful life of true music JAZZ.

 

[NissanVintageSax]

i have never been a Brilhart Ebolin fan. I learned on a Brilhart Ebolin #3 on Alto, and it was the toughest mpc to play on! It probably needed a reface (something I knew nothing about when I was starting out).

I also recently played on a Brilhart Ebolin 5* on Tenor, that made my Couf and my old French Vito sound thin and like doggy poo! Horrible intonation, and small dynamic range.

I also played a Brilhart Ebolin 3 on Bass Clarinet. The chamber wasn't even centered, and there was a burr inside it!

These to do seem to be popular mouthpieces, so I could have gotton 3 very bad examples, but those are poor odds in my book! And mouthpieces that just need a reface, if they're generally designed right, the potential can still be felt/heard from them. I didn't get that with the Ebolins.

 

[usanase]

Thank you NissanVintageSax,
I am sorry about your experience with the Brilhart mouthpieces. I hope I gain as much experience as far as telling the difference between the two pieces that I have. I am learning to appreciate the Selmer and everyone I know says nothing comes close to it for a beginner's mpc.
I tried the mouthpiece ...i just couldn't wait for the responses...and i am not sure what to think! These are my observations: First, The length of the mouthpiece is shorter compared to the selmer so I don't know how to adjust it on the neck. Second, the low register notes are now harder for me to play (using Vandoren tenor jazz reeds 2.5) I also use Rico Royal 2 so I will see tomorrow how that goes. Lastly, I am running out of breath just playing songs that I usually play with relative easy on the Selmer!
Let me ask you a specific question; Do you think I am ok trying out new mpcs at this stage?
Thanks you once again

 

[NissanVintageSax]

Most likely, the tip is too open for you, and they are probably uneven (has been my Brilhart experiences). A $75 to $140 reface can fix that, but, If I were you, just put down the Brilhart for now, and play the mouthpiece that is fun and easy to play for you (the selmer). You can come back to the Brilhart later.

 

[usanase]

Thanks!

 

[bruce bailey]

The "special" is a lower line student mouthpiece so don't put any money into it. The Selmer mouthpiece is far better...stick with it for now. When you get up to speed on the horn, you may want to consider a high end mouthpiece or go with a Rico Graftonite which is a killer mouthpiece for the money. I sell them for under $20 and they match some costing over $100. I find them great for tenor. The Selmer you have is pretty closed and will be fairly easy to play so go with that and if you need something with a larger sound, hit me up on a Rico. I use them and have been playing tenor for over 50 years. There are still bargains around!

 

[jazzznbluezzz]

Hi Usanase,

Don't let the bad experience reviews about the Brilharts discourage you. I have played several Brilhart types of mouthpieces
and some Ebolins and hard rubbers are still my main mouthpieces for jazz and R & B.
Although I am not familiar with the Special but I do know they are indeed intended as student mouthpieces. However that does
not have to be a bad thing at all. Arnold Brilhart was a genius and I am a big fan of his work.
I second the Rico Graftonite option as a (very)low cost alternative with a great even tone and playability. And guess what... the Graftonite is an Arnold Brilhart design too.
Also intended for student use but it is so good I have used it on a few gigs on stage and am still happy with it.
And I would also recommend the Rico Metalite (also a Brilhart design) for a little more edgy tone but still warm, maybe a little more Coltrane like. All very affordable and a lot of fun to try.
I am pretty sure you will love the sound of the Graftonaite and the Metalite on your 31A Elkhart.

 

[usanase]

Thank you for the advise and I will stay with the Selmer for now.

 

[usanase]

I will look into the Rico Graftonite and Metalite soon and I am curious to know if there is any preference of reeds for this mouthpieces or I will have to try the 2 and 2.5 that i have and see what gives me the best sound?

 

[bruce bailey]

It depends on the tip opening you use. I would be OK on a 2.5 with the .095" tip.