[mike713]

I did a search and found lots of threads with recommendations, but I'm interested to know what's actually being played by people who have a regular gig playing lead alto, preferably in a professional setting.

I'm playing 2nd alto right now in my university's top big band, and the lead alto player (who plays lead outside of the school too) is playing a 1950's HR Berg with a .095 tip opening (don't know the chamber) that was refaced by Mojo at some point. He uses hard reeds too, Vandoren 3.5s. Huge sound, and really loud (and not that hard to play actually given the open tip, although I use softer reeds).

Two other local pros I know who get a lot of lead work are playing a Selmer Soloist (probably an E or F facing) and a vintage NY Meyer.

Lead alto cats: what do you play?

 

[Pete Thomas]

I'm happy with my RPC, though I'd probably also be happy with a Vandoren Java A45. I used to use a Meyer 6M, but I get a better blend with the RPC or Vandoren. I have tried Selmer Soloists and they are too boxy sounding for me.

 

[MyMartinTenor]

back in my day, it was a Beechler diamond inlay small chamber with a Java 3. Nice, bright, punchy, but blend-able. Was aimed toward a Cannonball-ish lead sound.

 

[southernsax]

I do quite a bit of lead playing and do not think there is any particular piece that makes it easier. The most important, in terms of a piece, is that if feels good to play and can take lots of air. You do not need to play something overly bright.

Lead playing has more to do with concept than gear.

 

[ARC454]

I played lead in a quartet for three years, as well as lead for a musical: I played an S80 c*, with Java 3.5's. big sound, but I can still control it; projects like crazy when I push it, but does nice blending work, too.

 

[RandyJ]

Morgan Jazz 7*L (.083) with RJS 2H

 

[Peterogping]

Brilhart Tonalin Streamline 3* (.070") and various reeds in 3,5 hardness. You don't need a big tip opening to be able to be loud. Believe me.

 

[HeavyWeather77]

I'm not a big fan of changing mouthpieces, but on alto I do use two different pieces depending on the setting. If I'm playing lead in a big band I use my old Berg 100/1M, and if I'm playing anywhere else I use my Soloist short-shank that Adam Niewood opened up and balanced for me. Either way I use Rico Jazz Select 3M Filed reeds.

That Berg has been the best lead alto piece I could ask for. It's bright but also full and flexible. The Soloist has a richer, more complex sound, which is why I favor it for studio and small group work. I've had friends use Meyers, Morgans (usually Excaliburs), and Beechler diamonds with good results.

 

[Pete Thomas]

I'm happy with my RPC, though I'd probably also be happy with a Vandoren Java A45. I used to use a Meyer 6M, but I get a better blend with the RPC or Vandoren. I have tried Selmer Soloists and they are too boxy sounding for me.

I just remembered: when I was playing lead in college and just after that when starting off doing pro live lead work, I used a Lawton 8*. I think I used #4 Rico reeds.

I gradually went down in tip size and reed strength as my breath support and embouchure improved.

 

[Atonal]

Lead playing has more to do with concept than gear.

Agreed!

Lots of mouthpieces can work for lead playing. I play a Tenney Meyer 6M. Works great for me!

 

[EgilF.]

Lead playing has more to do with concept than gear.

Agreed!

Lots of mouthpieces can work for lead playing. I play a Tenney Meyer 6M. Works great for me!

I agreed too! My lead mpc is a Bellite 6.

 

[Agent27]

Drake NYC 6, RJS 3H Unfiled. Very Phil Woods-ish with a hint of Cannonball.

When I was in college, I played an RPC 90R with RJS 2M Unfiled reeds. The guy who played lead before me in college played a Meyer 7M. The guy who succeeded me played a Beechler Bellite.

I've also used a Vandoren V16 A8M.

Lots of options.

 

[NissanVintageSax]

I play a Drake Contemporary .085 for most of my lead work (though I will my Selmer/Meyer esque Drake Custom .080 for 1940s and earlir styles of jazz).

i used to play on a Runyon Smoothbore #7. That just played too harsh and the tone was 2 dimensional. The Drake Contemporary plays very much like a refaced HR Berg but with a more comfortable (to me anyway) smaller beak.

 

[luispa]

Lead playing has more to do with concept than gear.

+1
I played lead alto with Meyer 7 and 8, Otto Link TE 7, Otto Link STM 6, Yanagisawa Metal 5, Berg Larsen 85 3/M and 85 2/M, Brancher J Metal, Jody Jazz ESP 7, Vintage Brilhart Level Air 7, Lebayle LR 7 Metal, Unbranded plastic mouthpiece, Graftonites, Metalites, Vandoren Java A45, Ponzol 90 2M and Ponzol 85 1M. I always sounded almost the same (I'm not saying I sounded great or crappy, but pretty the same).

 

[zorroperro]

The Jumbo.

This is what I play, a Vandoren A45 but a Jumbo Java, not a Java. The reeds are Plasticover No. 3. The ligature is a Vandoren Optimum. All this, for my liking, mingles very well with my Series II Alto Saxophone.

I'm happy with my RPC, though I'd probably also be happy with a Vandoren Java A45. I used to use a Meyer 6M, but I get a better blend with the RPC or Vandoren. I have tried Selmer Soloists and they are too boxy sounding for me.

 

[dstack79]

Vandoren V16 7M with either Fibracell #4 or RSJ 3M

 

[nitrosax]

Bellite #8 refaced and customized by John Reilly.

 

[saxxsymbol]

Jody Jazz NY 7 with #2 1/2 Fibracell reeds.

 

[dexdex]

I played lead alto a couple of years on a Vandoren V16 A8M with LaVoz M reeds.

 

[bruce bailey]

I generally use a Selmer S-80 but for big band work I use a Super Session in the same tip, a D at .075". For "lead" work, I feel that going with a mouthpiece that is too open or baffled makes blending with others harder. When I was teaching college, I found that some of the bands sounded like 5 soloists competing rather than a 5 piece section.
My favorites would be:
Selmer SS
Meyer 6M
Morgan Excalibur 6E
Brilhart (tips vary a LOT)
Not in that order
What are the others in the section using?
Remember that the great big bands of the 30s-50s had players using fairly closed pieces and sounded great.