On alto mouthpieces I use tenor reeds, or sometimes bass clarinet reeds. So the tip curves are never gonna match up, & there's a bit of overhang widthwise. Regardless, I can dial in the tone I want.
What seems to have a much bigger effect on response is whether the reed overhangs the tip lengthwise, or is underslung, or meets the tip rail exactly. I can't necessarily formulate a rule of thumb, 'coz so much depends on reed variables, thinness of tip rail, ambient humidity, or sunspots. However, any time I'm unhappy with response, I slide the reed forward or back a half-millimeter or so -- et voila!*
YMMV.
* French expression meaning "I should have taken up the viola."
What seems to have a much bigger effect on response is whether the reed overhangs the tip lengthwise, or is underslung, or meets the tip rail exactly. I can't necessarily formulate a rule of thumb, 'coz so much depends on reed variables, thinness of tip rail, ambient humidity, or sunspots. However, any time I'm unhappy with response, I slide the reed forward or back a half-millimeter or so -- et voila!*
YMMV.
* French expression meaning "I should have taken up the viola."
