[Turnaround]

How many of us have an idea of what they are going for and hunt it down? Even though we may stumble upon great items along the way, we don't stop till we find what we are looking for.

OR

Keep on getting items (and reselling the ones they don't want) until they find one that does something that "speaks" out to them. Kind of buying on a whim.



I have been guilty of both, but just went through an alto mouthpiece quest knowing what I wanted to find. I have been looking for a mouthpiece that gave me a BIG throaty sound and had a nice buzz. Checked out the Meyers and its copies (in fact I have a very impressive collection now, NY8Ms, Meyer LTD, Fmaj7, SR Tech L85... not planning on selling, sorry) and they all play really well (surprise!). But I got a GWIND NYMC7 that had what I was looking for except that it petered out in the top end. I sent it out to MOJOBARI. Got it back and WOW!! Even the altissimo has a throaty sound. G.A.S. is been cured. I've been looking for an opportunity to praise his work on this piece.

As a recording engineer, I have been guilty of buying microphones without knowing what to expect, but hoped they would "speak" to me. They have been somewhat calculated choices, but I have bought a few mics that where pretty lame (never spent too much on them). Buying on a whim has had it's pleasant surprises though.

 

[calisax]

I don't think there's really any distinguishable difference. Quest or Whim, you're only going on gut instinct as to what might work. I've always enjoyed the process though!

 

[Swampcabbage]

I think of quest vs whim as slightly different. My search for the the sound I wanted took me through a few whims. For instance, I knew I ws looking for a particular "link-like" sound but picked up a couple of Guardala LT's along the way as well as a Lebayle LR1 and even a couple of Dukoff Hollywood type chamber mouthpieces.

Had I been in a position to play before I purchased then I may have done it differently. However, my search for that special Link put me down the road on specific pieces and refacing that was very calculated. Fortunately I found what I was looking for and my tenor GAS (in particular) has been alleviated.

However, my whim GAS is what propels me to say. "Gee, I'd like to try that out sometime." When I go to my special Link though, it settles back down again.

 

[Turnaround]

I don't think there's really any distinguishable difference. Quest or Whim, you're only going on gut instinct as to what might work. I've always enjoyed the process though!

For me, I know what I wanted in an alto sound. I've been playing alto for almost 30 years, and feel I have enough personal experience to know that I don't want a Sanborn Dukoff for example. My experience and gut told me to hunt down a large chamber Meyerish piece.

But I'm fairly new to tenor, and have not developed my concept of what I want in my tenor sound. I bought a Link, AMMA, and a Guardalaish Will Grizzle. All very different. The Grizzle "spoke" to me the most. It is initially the most comfortable one to play (easiest?) and I can work with it. But I didn't know what I was after. I have a good tone from what people say, but it's more of a blind search than the quest I had for the alto piece.

I also enjoy the process very much.

 

[decade]

I need to make more money, or drink less... I want a bigger collection. Ebay here I come.

 

[RootyTootoot]

The "quest" thing is even more self-deceiving than the "whim" thing. IMHO.

 

[Swampcabbage]

I need to make more money, or drink less... I want a bigger collection. Ebay here I come.

It did miracles for me in more than than just my wallet. But, do what you feel you need to do and more power to you.

The "quest" thing is even more self-deceiving than the "whim" thing. IMHO.

I can agree with that. Even if I know I'm on a "quest" it's easier for me to justify my "whims."

 

[GAS_Wyo]

"I think" I am disciplined enough to keep the "whim GAS" down to 0. I can't afford whims.

With me it's always a quest. My Problem in a nutshell...I buy but don't sell. I started buying saxes about 6 years ago. I have only sold 4 of the 11 saxes I have purchased in those years. My stable now includes 8 saxes.

Anyone interested in a great True Tone Alto?

 

[EZ]

Quest GAS vs. Whim GAS?

They pretty much smell the same, really.

 

[Randall]

I think I will pass on the GAS...:twisted:

I think that my quest to try all different makes and models of saxes has fueled GAS, which has led to the occasional whim GAS, too.

It is a sickness I am trying to cure, but seem to be failing at at times.
I still look at eBay too much.:?

I guess GAS is GAS is GAS in much the same way a rose is a rose is a rose.

 

[saintsday]

I think that there is a 3rd kind of GAS: plain old curiousity gas.

I really love learning and not withstanding all the great information here, there is no substitute for actually having the equipment in your hands.

There is no universally agreed language that describes how a horn or a mouthpiece is going to work when it is plugged into your face for a month even if we all had the same face.

Then there is the whole issue of fact vs opinion and reliable sourcing. There is no real vetting of information on the internet and even the few serious scholars of the saxophone can be mistaken.

If you really want to know about a horn or mouthpiece, buy a couple dozen.

 

[fballatore]

There's a fourth kind of GAS. Stupidity GAS. 'Nuff said.

 

[Sam]

Ah, roger that, Frank.

I'm remembering that oil-can Fender not-quite-a-reverb . . .

The "custom" guitar from ShopGoodwill.com . . .

The Noblet bari that sold for 40% of what I paid . . .