[ekdowlin]

I recently acquired a Theo Wanne Datta HR 9 and a Theo Wanne Durga Metal 9. I was interested to see what the differences between these two would be since the Datta is supposed to be modeled after the Durga.

I had the Datta for a bout a week before I got the Durga. I liked the Datta but it seemed a bit too bright for me and it really seemed like it would only work for the Rock stuff I was playing. I got a Gaia HR 9 to use for my Jazz gigs since I didn't feel like the Datta would work for a more intimate setting.

I read a couple of reviews on here that said the Durga was maybe not as bright as the Datta but still had a huge sound. It sounded like exactly what I was looking for, so I pickup up the Durga 9 off eBay.

The Durga arrived yesterday and I have spent many hours with it already. I was very pleasantly surprised with the Durga. It is EXACTLY what I was looking for! A huge, fat, warm sound with just the right amount of edge. The Datta HR is a good bit brighter and has a more compact, focused sound than the Durga. The Durga is plenty bright for my funk, R&B, rock gigs but still has a very thick, round core that will suit my jazz work as well. The Durga also has a little more resistance than the Datta, which I like a lot. The Datta was so free blowing that I had a hard time supporting a solid tone when playing at very soft dynamics. The Durga has just enough resistance to allow me to play very softly and have the same quality of sound that I have at FFF. The Durga, for me, was also a bit more responsive. The low bell notes are easy to play and the altissimo on the Durga is the best I have ever played.

The Datta seems like it might be a bit louder than the Durga, but that could just be the extra brightness making it seem louder. The Durga is plenty loud and takes all the air I can put through it.

I thought I would put up a short sample of the two pieces, so you can hear what I'm talking about. In the clips, I'm playing Kirk Whalum's solo from "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston. I used a bit of reverb on the samples but no other changes have been made to the sound. On the Datta HR 9, I am using a Vandoren Java 2.5 with a Theo Wanne Vintified Enlightened Ligature with the Heavy Copper pressure plate. On the Durga 9, I am using the Theo Wanne Rhodium plated Liberty Ligature set on the second hole from the tip using the Alive Gold pressure plate. I am using the exact same reed on both and am playing on my 141,XXX Selmer Mark VI. The recording was made on Logic Pro 9 using a Shure KSM 44 mic.

View attachment Durga.mp3
View attachment Dattahr.mp3

 

[marc]

I am sorry for my humble contribution to your GAS ;-)

Your recording is excellent and speaks by itself!
Enjoy!

 

[Mike F]

Thanks for that comparison ekdowlin, very useful. I totally agree with your assessment of the Durga vs the Datta. They both sound very good, but the Datta is somewhat thin by comparison. Terrific playing BTW! I have Durga's for bari tenor and alto and love them.

 

[mrpeebee]

You sound very good on both . I liked the Durga over the Datta. In my ears it sounded a bit more spread and less bright.

 

[saxbrain]

...so how would you compare the Durga vs Gaia?

 

[dexdex]

Mhm. Ever heard about Kirk Whalum ? :lol:
My vote also goes for the fatter Durga. Do you have samples of low end and subtone ?

 

[The A Train]

I wouldn't exactly call ether of those samples fat sounding..great playing though..

 

[ekdowlin]

Thanks for the feedback guys! It confirms my thoughts about keeping the Durga. I am leaving now to go to a friend's wedding in Atlanta but when I get back, I will post some clips of lower notes and subtone stuff. I can also post a clip of the Gaia for comparison as well. The Gaia is darker and more lush than the Durga, but not by very much. Definitely more of a traditional vibe on the Gaia though.

 

[marc]

Thanks for the feedback guys! It confirms my thoughts about keeping the Durga. I am leaving now to go to a friend's wedding in Atlanta but when I get back, I will post some clips of lower notes and subtone stuff. I can also post a clip of the Gaia for comparison as well. The Gaia is darker and more lush than the Durga, but not by very much. Definitely more of a traditional vibe on the Gaia though.

I share the same experience with the GAIA. The GAIA is also less powerful IMO. If you are a pure straight-ahead Jazz player, then the GAIA is certainly something to try out (also).

 

[Atonal]

Excellent playing and I too would vote for the Durga, although the two pieces are not hugely different in terms of sound.

 

[Dr G]

Neither Dis nor Dat': mo' Durga!

My vote also goes for the fatter Durga.

I wouldn't exactly call ether of those samples fat sounding..great playing though..

It's all about the "er" - it's a comparison, not an absolute.

I, too, prefer the darker, fatter, lusher Durga - not that either one of them is dark, fat, or lush. :twisted:

 

[Borganiboy]

Both sound great,not because i have 1 but the datta sings more but i agree the durga has more rasp and beef.I still want another durga.Had both now and there amazing pieces.Is there a better high baffle piece about,i dont think so plus its like putting a work of art in your mouth.

 

[tomsch]

I've been playing for over 30 years. Went through many mpcs and have owned hand made Guardalas, Lambersons, Freddie Gregory, and quite a few more. The two Theo Wannes are the best mpcs I've owned on tenor, no question. Now, are they for everyone? Not a chance. If you are looking for a HUGE sound that has a nice edge then the Durga is the way to go. If you are looking for a centered tone that has meat and a huge upper register then try the DATTA. And if you buy a Durga 8 and decide you don't like it then sell it to me because I want to compare it to my Durga 9

 

[Mike F]

I've been playing for over 30 years. Went through many mpcs and have owned hand made Guardalas, Lambersons, Freddie Gregory, and quite a few more. The two Theo Wannes are the best mpcs I've owned on tenor, no question. Now, are they for everyone? Not a chance. If you are looking for a HUGE sound that has a nice edge then the Durga is the way to go. If you are looking for a centered tone that has meat and a huge upper register then try the DATTA. And if you buy a Durga 8 and decide you don't like it then sell it to me because I want to compare it to my Durga 9

The Durga 8 will be a little more centered or focused than the Durga 9 but not as centered as a Datta 8. I wonder how a Durga 8 would compare to a Datta 9 - anyone done that? I'm very happy with my Durga 8 but I know some who come from 120 - 125 Guardalas find the 8 a bit small.

 

[tomsch]

Mike - I wonder the same thing about how the Datta 9 would compair. I also come from larger tip opening Guardalas and the Datta 8 feels a little small. I can feel it now..... I'll end up with all four at some point

 

[Mike F]

tomsch, I think you can justify having all four if you do a review for us here! :bluewink:

 

[tomsch]

I'm in Maybe my EWI4000s that I'm picking up next month can wait!

 

[saxyjare01]

I like the Datta better. It may be a bit brighter, but it's clearer and has better projection. It was apparent from the first note.

All the best!

 

[kindofblue]

The Durga 8 will be a little more centered or focused than the Durga 9 but not as centered as a Datta 8. I wonder how a Durga 8 would compare to a Datta 9 - anyone done that? I'm very happy with my Durga 8 but I know some who come from 120 - 125 Guardalas find the 8 a bit small.

I play a Durga 8 and a metal Datta 9. The feel is similar, but I play a softer reed on the Datta (Fibracell M on Durga, softened older Fibracell M (feels like MS) on Datta). The Durga has more depth and personality, but the Datta goes a bit louder, brighter and more centered, even in the larger opening. I can get more of a Lenny Pickett SNL vibe going on with the Datta, with effortless altissimo, but the Durga is a little more flexible for mixed genre's and offers some more resistance. I feel perfectly comfortable playing either.

 

[Borganiboy]

Mike - I wonder the same thing about how the Datta 9 would compair. I also come from larger tip opening Guardalas and the Datta 8 feels a little small. I can feel it now..... I'll end up with all four at some point

I have had a durga 9 tenor piece and always used tips of 115 to 120 and i thought the durga due to its huge chamber could be atad taxing on the chops and took alot of air.I have been using my new datta 8 metal 2 weeks now and at 1st it was strange i have soon come to love the ease of the 8 datta.I will get a durga 8 and would love a kali 8 when i win the lottery.All are superb.The durga has more beef and rasp i feel and the datta just soars with a pure focused sound if that makes sense.I would be happy with any but to have all would be very nice.