[kateyhappy]

I have got a 'the buescher' mouthpiece for my alto. I love it so much and it made a huge difference to my playing.

Before that, I used Yamaha and Selmer mouthpieces, but this one is so much nicer.

I want to try and get one for my soprano sax (yanagisawa s990) but can't find any online. Where might I find one, or where might I find one similar? I am aiming for that pure, clear, classical sound - I get it with my alto, but not with my soprano...

I have been playing for around 12 years, just never really delved into the equipment side of things too much. I play in a concert band and a sax quartet. Would be very appreciative of any advice. Thank you.

*Just editing to say thank you for all the replies. I will work my way through them and do a bit of learning about all this terminology along the way. Much appreciated.

 

[Sofiane]

You got to watch ebay, they often drop out.

 

[kateyhappy]

You got to watch ebay, they often drop out.

Thanks, I have been watching, but nothing yet. Thanks

 

[Sofiane]

One sold yesterday for 100$

 

[Eulipion2]

Rascher and Caravan pieces are going to give you similar "pure, clear," very dark classical tone. The other models of Rascher are based on Bueschers, but IIRC the soprano is based on Martin soprano pieces. The Caravan line is in a similar vein, but supposedly more compatible with modern horns. While I like both, I really prefer the Raschers down the line.

You can order directly from RASCHER or CARAVAN, but WEINER MUSIC carries both and has just resumed offering mouthpiece trials, so you could try them side-by-side.

Anecdotally, I have both Rascher and Caravan pieces from soprano to bari (only Caravan for sopranino,) and I've sent more Caravans off for facing work than I have Raschers. Your results may vary. Definitely try both if you can, and more than one of each if possible.

Supposedly the MORGAN CLASSICAL MODEL is also more of a "Rascher School" mouthpiece, but I've never tried one. It's more expensive, but the guys making the Morgan pieces have awesome reputations for making amazing products, so it may be worth looking into.

 

[Grumps]

I have got a 'the buescher' mouthpiece for my alto. I love it so much and it made a huge difference to my playing... I want to try and get one for my soprano sax...

Just because a certain type of mouthpiece works well on one voice for you, doesn't mean it's going to work on a different one. Link STM's and Meyers are great examples. You see tenor players on STM's and alto players on Meyers. Doesn't work vise versa.

 

[Henk]

Sent you a pm, I have an original Buescher mp lying around here. Works really well on a Rampone & Cazzani soprano, but I don’t really like it on Selmer or Yamaha sopranos. For me those work better with somewhat smaller chamber mouthpieces. I have no experience with it on a Yanagisawa soprano.

 

[lostcircuits]

I have two really good ones, $100.- each if interested

 

[museman]

'kateyhappy', hello. I play a refaced Buescher lg. chamber mpc, .057 tip, by Joe G., 'Soprano Planet', on my old Buescher curvy. Wouldn't play anything else on the vintage soprano, it is such a good match. However, not so much on a modern Yanagisawa, as with both my '880' Elimona and curvy SC902. I also have an extra, spare, Buescher mpc, although I think you may be disappointed trying to use a Buescher mpc on your Yani S990.

The internal bores on vintage saxes are very different than with most modern sopranos. A Morgan 'Vintage' medium chamber mpc might be a good choice, and I find that a Drake 'Son of Slant', although a large chamber, does work quite well on the Yanis, perhaps because it is a more modern design than the Buescher. Both those would likely give you a warmer, more dark tone, if that is what you're looking for. Perhaps the Caravan or Rascher, generally used more for classical soprano playing, could also work, but I haven't played these, so can't advise. Normally though, probably a small to medium chamber mpc will work best with your Yani. Depending on what sound you are looking for, and how you play, you'll probably need to try out various brand mpcs, in different tip sizes, to see what can work best for you. Good luck.

 

[turf3]

Just because a certain type of mouthpiece works well on one voice for you, doesn't mean it's going to work on a different one. Link STM's and Meyers are great examples. You see tenor players on STM's and alto players on Meyers. Doesn't work vise versa.

Well, I'm a tenor player on a Meyer that also uses Meyer on alto and baritone too.

So sometimes it works... (Though I haven't tried a metal Link on alto...)

 

[Eulipion2]

'kateyhappy', hello. I play a refaced Buescher lg. chamber mpc, .057 tip, by Joe G., 'Soprano Planet', on my old Buescher curvy. Wouldn't play anything else on the vintage soprano, it is such a good match. However, not so much on a modern Yanagisawa, as with both my '880' Elimona and curvy SC902. I also have an extra, spare, Buescher mpc, although I think you may be disappointed trying to use a Buescher mpc on your Yani S990.

My Antigua Winds is a Yani 9xx copy, and it does very well with the Rascher, Caravan, and Buescher pieces. For my Buescher piece I need to ream the bore a little bit to get it in tune, but even consistently flat, and as long as I'm playing alone, the tone is gorgeous. Once I open up the bore a little and can play in-tune there's a very good chance it'll be my #1 classical piece. But keep in mind, large chamber pieces can seem a bit finicky if you're not used to playing them. Of course, I guess the same could be said of any adjustment to your setup.

(Though I haven't tried a metal Link on alto...)

One of my friends has one. Actually pretty nice -- I'd gladly use it for a gig. And I liked the Meyer tenor as well, but I only played it for a few weeks about 20 years ago. I actually used it for classical initially, and it worked well until I discovered my love for the Rascher sound.

 

[kateyhappy]

Thank you so much for this information. Very helpful.

 

[kateyhappy]

Rascher and Caravan pieces are going to give you similar "pure, clear," very dark classical tone. The other models of Rascher are based on Bueschers, but IIRC the soprano is based on Martin soprano pieces. The Caravan line is in a similar vein, but supposedly more compatible with modern horns. While I like both, I really prefer the Raschers down the line.

You can order directly from RASCHER or CARAVAN, but WEINER MUSIC carries both and has just resumed offering mouthpiece trials, so you could try them side-by-side.

Anecdotally, I have both Rascher and Caravan pieces from soprano to bari (only Caravan for sopranino,) and I've sent more Caravans off for facing work than I have Raschers. Your results may vary. Definitely try both if you can, and more than one of each if possible.

Supposedly the MORGAN CLASSICAL MODEL is also more of a "Rascher School" mouthpiece, but I've never tried one. It's more expensive, but the guys making the Morgan pieces have awesome reputations for making amazing products, so it may be worth looking into.

Thank you so much! Very helpful.

 

[kateyhappy]

Thank you. There is much to think about.

 

[Grumps]

Well, I'm a tenor player on a Meyer...

I can recommend a decent de-programmer for you.

 

[Dexter94]

I'd recommend adding the Morgan Classical to your list of pieces to try. I've found it very close to the Buescher vibe.

 

[paulwl]

My experience with Morgans (any model!) is that they speak easily. for a (Ra/Bue)scher tonal concept you need a lot more resistance.

 

[Reet McVouty]

Well, I'm a tenor player on a Meyer that also uses Meyer on alto and baritone too.

So sometimes it works... (Though I haven't tried a metal Link on alto...)

I play a Meyer on Tenor as well. Links aren't for everyone. Fact is, I'm just not fond of metal mouthpieces.

 

[turf3]

Link has hard rubber tenor pieces, I have one, it plays quite well.

 

[sopsax]

Buescher soprano piece on French eBay. (No affiliation.) https://www.ebay.fr/itm/vintage-Buescher-Soprano-Sax-Mouthpiece-50-tip/392897828067