[Stradivarius]

I have a reference 54 alto, and I want a warm and round tone, like Wildy Zumwalt. I only play classical, usually in an orchestra setting. I think Wildy plays on a Buescher mouthpiece. So I was wondering. Would a Buescher work on a Reference 54? If not, what mouthpiece should I get for a warm and round tone? Previously, I have been playing on a vintage Lelandais-Chedeville mouthpiece, so I was used to a large chamber.

If I do get a Buescher mouthpiece, how can I buy a good one (on ebay or another store?)? Also, should I get it refaced? and by who?

 

[Dave Dolson]

I can't say anything about a Buescher mouthpiece on the Ref 54, but I recently tried two vintage mouthpieces on my Ref 54 (a 1920's King and a Conn trimmed down to butt up against a microtuner neck) and both were a disaster on my Ref 54. Maybe I didn't have the correct reed strength (I was trying a Vandoren ZZ 3 right out of the box - very hard for me). Real gurgles on the low end.

But from my perspective, the Ref 54 is pretty warm and round as it is, so I'm guessing that most modern pieces would give you those results. I found the Selmer Super Session F and the Selmer Soloist F gave me that sound. I'm currently enjoying a Brilhart Ebolin 3 with Fibracell reed on mine and I am happy with the sound - more focus for me than with the SS-F. Also, the S-80 C* with a Fibracell plays very well on mine, but it is a bit brighter than the aforementioned pieces. Lastly, my Meyer 6S-M works nicely on it, too. DAVE

 

[paulwl]

Try a Caravan - it's the barrel chamber design adapted to more modern saxes. They give some beautiful sound in the right hands - velvety and somber.

 

[CONN-hunter]

In spite of being warm or not too warm the most perfect match for the Ref 54 Alto is the Super Session Mouthpiece. perfect pitch and control. Take your usual opening and...praaactice.

 

[CONN-hunter]

deleted

 

[paulwl]

You can darken your tone on the stock setup of course. It's a matter of shaping or voicing the air.

Describing voicing with the oral cavity is difficult. But doing it is achievable. A few things that I focus on:
-put plenty of lip cushion under the reed
-think an oooo or ohhh sound, as if your mouth were a round chamber
-give it full warm air, rather than hard fast air

That's a start, anyway.

 

[saintsday]

I have a reference 54 alto, and I want a warm and round tone, like Wildy Zumwalt. I only play classical, usually in an orchestra setting. I think Wildy plays on a Buescher mouthpiece. So I was wondering. Would a Buescher work on a Reference 54? If not, what mouthpiece should I get for a warm and round tone? Previously, I have been playing on a vintage Lelandais-Chedeville mouthpiece, so I was used to a large chamber.

If I do get a Buescher mouthpiece, how can I buy a good one (on ebay or another store?)? Also, should I get it refaced? and by who?

Wildy does play a vintage Buescher mouthpiece as does Harry White. Of course they also play 30s era Buescher saxophones as well. I don't know what reed strength Wildy plays, but Harry plays a Vandoren blue box #4.