[kaplac]

Hello all

Just a quick question here.

So my brother was an avid sax player in high school ('bout 12 years ago) and he left some stuff for me.

One being a Lakey 5*3, I've been palying this peice for a couple years now. I like it, but sometime I wish I had a darker more mellow sound instead of an edgy peircing sound that I get.

So does anyone have any recommendations as to some darker more mellow jazz moutpeices for alto sax?
Also, I've never met another lakey player before, so if any of you guys play them, what do you think of their peices?

thanks!

 

[Dave Dolson]

I knew Claude Lakey and his wife. I have several of his soprano and clarinet pieces. My daughter played an alto Lakey all through school and still plays one today (she's in her mid-40's now). I always considered the Lakey's to be darker than normal. Just goes to prove once again - one person's dark is another person's bright.

There are a ton of alto pieces out there and everyone will weigh in with their favorites. I'd suggest going down in reed strength before buying a new mouthpiece. DAVE

 

[garyinla]

I would try a piece that is 100% hard rubber, such as a Selmer or Vanduren or any other hard rubber one such as a Barone, Meyer, Jody Jazz HR, etc.

 

[blackfrancis]

I've tried Lakeys old and new. I had one in the 70s that was a really nice piece and a newer one (maybe 2 years old) that was a bright, squirrely POS.
I eventually got a Morgan which is excellent.

 

[kaplac]

Cool, thanks.

I've never played a 70's Lakey before, but mine is probably from around 95' and I think it's pretty bright sounding. Maybe black francis has something going on there. Since your daughter is 40 now.

But thanks for the opinions guys!

I'll definately try out some other hard rubber peices. I've also heard some good things about the metal links. So I'll probbaly go check that out too.

 

[stevenweiss]

I have an old Lakey symphony model, which just says *3 on it, so I don't know if it's a 3, 4, 5, 6, etc. Even so it is my favorite moouthpiece in terms of intonation, openness, control, altissimo, and ease of blowing.

Just my 2 cents.

I'm wondeering if the new (or vintage ones for sale on Lakey's webiste) are as good. They have a 5*3 that they attribute a Paul Desmond sound to, so I'm assuming the 5*3 is like the Gregory that Desmond used (which is pretty much unattainable). Some of Lakey's personal collection, including a 5*3 jazz, is available.

If it's anything like the symphony, I'd love it.

 

[MM]

For now I suggest you go with a Meyer 5,6 or 7.

Previously I hated all Lakeys but I found an older 7*3 that I like a lot.

 

[cjpts]

I love my Lakey 5*3s (alto & tenor) - they're only a couple of years old and don't have any of the white markings but despite badly uneven rails they play exceptionally well. I've tried Links, Selmers, Vandorens (I've got a Jumbo Java A55 atm which isn't as nice) and a few others and the Lakey still comes out on top.

For a slightly darker sound I use a Runyon Quantum 6 with Spoiler with a Rovner Dark Lig. I also have a Meyer 6J which I like - I also liked the vintage Meyer 6L that I tried, but whilst the larger chamber and longer facings are very forgiving to play with and have a very nice mellower tone, the Meyer's aren't as loud.

 

[ZephyrSax]

I've never found a Lakey I like on any instrument, but then again I've only ever tried the new ones. Seems like a trend here...

 

[playatsax]

I've tried Lakeys old and new. I had one in the 70s that was a really nice piece and a newer one (maybe 2 years old) that was a bright, squirrely POS.
I eventually got a Morgan which is excellent.

I've played the same 5*3 since I bought it new in 1983. Played a little out of tune, but for all I know my POS sax could be the issue. After years of using my ear and learning my sax, I can play with anyone. I never use a tuner since I have to keep adjusting note for note. I like the tone and the flexibility it gives me. That said, I bought my son a 4*4 about two years ago for his sax. It's a squirrely POS for him.

Truth is, each combination of sax/mouthpiece must be learned by the player. there is no "magic mouthpiece." Get the one that gives you the tone and response you like, and then PRACTICE.

Playatsax

 

[zxcvbnm]

Darker and more mellow? Try an otto link.

 

[Pgraves]

I have one that years ago I thought was shrill and useless. One rail is much thinner than the other, and this makes the facing look bad. But it seals. I tried it again recently, and despite expecting to hate it, actually thought it was very good. I don't think it changed while sitting in the box for 15 years.

 

[nitrosax]

I LOVE the alto sound I get with a Lakey but the intonation is REALLY squirelly on those pieces...

 

[playatsax]

So I just got my new 82Z, and put my Lakey 5*3 on it. The mouthpiece has worked for me for 30 years and is the biggest POS on the new sax!!

Time for a new sound.