[patseguin]

I just got 2 of these mouthpieces, one for me and one for my teacher. He already plays a LT Studio. I can't believe how big the tip opening is on these things. Is it equivalent to like an 8* or something? I can get a decent sound but low notes take a little work. Definitely need get used to it with some long tones. I noticed both pieces had a minor blemish or two in the plating. Is that typical for these Guardala pieces?

 

[com281]

I just got 2 of these mouthpieces, one for me and one for my teacher. He already plays a LT Studio. I can't believe how big the tip opening is on these things. Is it equivalent to like an 8* or something? I can get a decent sound but low notes take a little work. Definitely need get used to it with some long tones. I noticed both pieces had a minor blemish or two in the plating. Is that typical for these Guardala pieces?

I have three different Guardala LTs: Super King, MB II and the Crescent.

The Super King is among the brightest and I have had trouble getting lower notes, no matter what reeds I have used. My MB II and Crescent yield low notes with relative ease. I would try several different types of reeds of varying strengths to find out which ones work well. I have found that Rico reeds (Orange box) in strength 2 work very well for me on my MB II and Crescent. The Studio appears to be close in chamber and baffle construction to the MB II.

The WWBW has a good return policy if it does not suit you. By the way, my Crescent, which was a gift from my wife had plating blemishes as well (My mouthpieces are all gold plated). The Crescent played so well that I didn't bother sending it back for another. Let us know how other reeds work on it.

 

[Saxlicker]

I noticed both pieces had a minor blemish or two in the plating. Is that typical for these Guardala pieces?

I have 3 WWBW guardalas and truth of the matter is the plating is not very good.

Even if they weren't blemished when you got them it will not take long to get some sort of discoloration in spots. Its something that I have accepted and I just take as much care as I can.

They play great!

 

[Frank D]

For what it's worth, I use a Studio with a #2 1/2 Vandoren Java. Low notes come out ok on several tenors. I think the facing is around .115 or .120, you can do some searches and find out.

 

[Chris Mickel]

I used to play a Guardala Studio (two of them, an original hand made one and a WWBW Lazer Trimmed) all the time on tenor, it's a great piece. It was tough to get adjusted to because the tip opening is so big. I really had to practice longtones and voicing daily in order to get used to it and to be able to control it. But it was well worth it.

If it helps I had the best luck with Vandoren ZZ #3 reeds. Many people use Javas, Brecker used LaVoz on his Guardala, I had some luck with filed Jazz select #3 Medium, my advice would be to try some things out. With the huge tip opening you could also use softer reeds like #2.5's.

Good Luck

 

[EgilF.]

got a MBII from PMS, - after trying a lots of la voz and rico jazz select I found that vandoren regular 21/2 and vandoren ZZ 3 is perfect for this mpc.

 

[patseguin]

Yeah, I'll have to put some time in on the Guardala. I've been using V16 2-1/2 so far. I can definitely get low notes, just need practice with that huge tip opening.

I've been getting a great sound out of a Berg Larsen 105/1. Anyone using a Berg?

 

[patseguin]

Anyone know a good lig for this piece? I'm not crazy about the Rovner that came with it and none of the Selmer metal ones I tried at the music store fit right.

 

[MojoBari]

The Selmer 402 (alto) usually fits. But you need to bend it to fit like a glove on the Guardala.

 

[Frank D]

Ditto that. I'm using the Selmer and it's a great lig. I don't know if it's the design or the metal, but this lig really allows the reed to vibrate freely, and doesn't cost much.

I was using a Winslow, which was great, but it tended to slip around when moving the mouthpiece to tune. They are pricey, and I hear they're hard to come by. I found the Selmer to be 99% as good, without all the aggrivation.

 

[Nick Thompson]

Anyone know a good lig for this piece? I'm not crazy about the Rovner that came with it and none of the Selmer metal ones I tried at the music store fit right.

I do not profess to speak with authority, just from my own experience. Following recommendation I purchased a SAXXAS lig for my Studio. When I played it for the first time I exerienced one of those 'oh my God' moments

Do a search on SAXXAS, I agree with other commentators; it's the only lig for Guardala mpcs.

Check out the manufactureres website: www.saxxas.eu

 

[patseguin]

I'm contacting them to get a Saxxas. Isn't there anywhere in the US to buy one?

 

[patseguin]

Just ordered it from Germany. $145 USD. I must be loony.

 

[Grumps]

At that price, it should play the low notes for you...

 

[patseguin]

Haha, I know. I wouldn't bother if the one that came with the piece wasn't starting to mark up my plating. I went through every Selmer ligature I could find, to no avail.

 

[Nick Thompson]

I'm contacting them to get a Saxxas. Isn't there anywhere in the US to buy one?

I doubt there is a US stockist. I purchased both my ligs direct and they were sent recorded, signed-for delivery. As long as they are in stock, delivery is fast. The guy you deal with speaks perfect English. His name is DJ and his email address follows;

[email protected]

 

[saxmanjack]

I recenly got one of those BG metal jazz ligs for my LT SuperKing, kind of a similar design to the Saxxas. But I'm not really noticing any tonal improvement over a Rover Evo-5, so I'll probably be offering it up for sale if anyone's interested...

 

[Swampcabbage]

I have a BG metal and it is nothing like the saxxas or winslows. In fact I cannot stand either Rovner's or the BG metal ligs.

 

[Nick Thompson]

Just ordered it from Germany. $145 USD. I must be loony.

Be interested to hear your view of the lig when you've given it a spin on your Studio.

 

[patseguin]

Just thought I'd update everyone. I received my Saxxas ligature today and boy is it awesome! Inside the very nice packaging is the ligature, 2 different screw types, plastic cap, square piece of plastic (no idea what it is for), and several extra rubber feet. These little rubber feet are what touches the reed and there are 6 holes for them for to arrange as many or however you want. It came with 4, one in each corner. The ligature is very solidly built and is a thing of beauty to look at. No part of the metal touches your mouthpiece. Every point of contact has a little rubber piece. I'll post pics later.

The ligature fits the Guardala Studio perfectly. No more struggling to squeeze the leather one on that came with it. That lig goes to the garbage can. I've noticed my sound opened up a little bit and the horn seems to play with a bit more ease, particularly on the low end. All of this could be mental, but I do now have a lig that fits the mouthpiece and helps me produce a great sound.