[DSkey]

I'm playing in a rock/funk band and I'm currently using a Yani metal 7 with a Bari medium plastic reed. This set up is fairly loud and bright, but the body of my sound is still bottom-heavy. My natural tone tends to be dark and I play on a ~1950 Martin, which is a pretty dark horn.

I'm looking to add more BRIGHTNESS and RASPINESS/BUZZ to my sound. I'd appreciate any and all input on how I can achieve this. I live in an area where I have to mail order mouthpieces to try them out, so some initial guidance on what to try would be really helpful.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Canadiain]

Have you tried different reeds...cheaper than mouthpieces

ZZs, Plasticovers or Fibracells all might be a bit buzzier?

If thats not enough buzz then you could mess about with making a temporary plasticine / wax baffle in your Yani piece. A big flat high step one, like a Dukoff, might get you the buzz you are looking for.

 

[milandro]

I'm playing in a rock/funk band and I'm currently using a Yani metal 7 with a Bari medium plastic reed. This set up is fairly loud and bright, but the body of my sound is still bottom-heavy. My natural tone tends to be dark and I play on a ~1950 Martin, which is a pretty dark horn.
I'm looking to add more BRIGHTNESS and RASPINESS/BUZZ to my sound. I'd appreciate any and all input on how I can achieve this. I live in an area where I have to mail order mouthpieces to try them out, so some initial guidance on what to try would be really helpful.

Thanks in advance!

You probably have the wrong horn for that kind of sound! Seriously! I've tried some bright pieces on my Martin and it sounded vile. So consider that possibility.
You want a " funky" piece?
Ok....think Berg larsen, think Dukoff, think Guardala....Jody Jazz with spoiler? Vandoren Jumbo Jazz?

 

[ismail]

play louder!?!?!?

nothing wrong with a heavy bottom as long as you can "add" the raspiness to it - instead of replacing.

by playing louder you wil automatically get the higher partials more audible!

 

[MojoBari]

You can try growling more. Hum while you play.

The Bari plastic reeds can be very buzzy in softer strengths. You can try a more open tip mouthpiece that will let you use a softer Bari reed. However, there will be some intonation control trade-offs.

 

[super20dan]

go with a vandy jumbo java . if all else fails -a dukoff. (my weapon of choice for most of my rock and roll carreer)

 

[EZ]

First try a Fibracell - then if that's not enough buzz, Dukoff would be my recommendation. I Find Fibracells play buzzier than BARI reeds.

 

[blackfrancis]

STM. Add baffle. Vandoren ZZ. Mmmmm, buzzy!

 

[MESax]

If it's brightness you're looking for, can't go wrong with a Vandoren Jumbo Java

 

[LampLight]

Fugetabowdit!

Ponzol M2+
That thing is brighter than the sun. BTW, please pardon my ignorance, but is your Martin a large bore instrument?

Oops. Sorry; I totally missed the alto thing.

 

[super20dan]

no one playes a link stm on alto! try a fibracell on a dukoff-you cant squeek!+it will peel paint

 

[Canadiain]

I'm a nobody I guess...as I play an STM on alto from time to time for a dark, chocolaty tone


Bright is not a word I would associate with it though...but if you build a shelf baffle up in there anything is possible I guess.

 

[milandro]

Yes another nobody here! ......very dark sound......., finally got to use a size which makes sense to me 5* after trying 7* and 7 (too open no control on intonation), looking to grow a size with reeds to increase darkness

 

[SuperDave]

no one playes a link stm on alto! try a fibracell on a dukoff-you cant squeek!+it will peel paint

That is not true...

 

[SilverNeck20]

Martin horns are very lush.....the best way I can describe them. Not sure if it's the best horn for the job.

But you can go with a high baffle piece. I would second or third the Jumbo Java. I played one on alto at one point in time in a rock band.

You could also try a real cheap way of making you baffle higher, giving you more edge. I'm not familiar with the Yani. But I used to cut a piece of cork around 1/16" thick to build up the baffle. Make it coutoured to fit in the piece around 1/2" long. Make sure it's snug, play it and try moving it up and down until you find the right spot for it (not too close to the tip). Then glue it in and cover it with clear nail polish. If you find later you don't like it, you can take it out.

 

[DSkey]

Great feedback - Thanks! Right after posting my query I threw a softer fibracell on an old Meyer 9 and got tons of buzz, so I think I'm going to try that at the next rehearsal and just turn up my mic a bit. Also, I agree with the comments on my horn. Maybe it's time to update.

 

[kavala]

Try the Jody Jazz DV. Lots of voume and can be very buzzy.

 

[super20dan]

you guys can keep your metal links on alto! if you want to up date to abrighter horn on a budjet-look for a yamaha yas52 -its about the brightest alto there is and low cost. i admit i never used my martin for rock and roll but have used my 1920,s buescher truetone. try rico plasticover reeds for more buzz but fibracell is better. i cant play fibracell so i use plasticover instead.

 

[hornfixer]

you can try to put a wedge in your mouthpiece.
Do you use a mic? You can make it sound brighter with the eq.

 

[Carl H.]

you guys can keep your metal links on alto!

Thanks, I will.