[Willman0527]

I have been playing a Selmer s-80 as my only mouthpiece for 10 years and Was thinking about switching to a Soloist. I like to play classical mostly so I know the s-80 is a good choice but I want some feedback from people who play both. I was also considering a classical vandoren mouthpiece.

 

[bruce bailey]

I would go with a Selmer S-90 first. Larger chamber but similar to the S-80. A 190 facing would be about what a C* is.

 

[Willman0527]

I would go with a Selmer S-90 first. Larger chamber but similar to the S-80. A 190 facing would be about what a C* is.

should I consider the Soloist?

 

[Meatballfoot]

It can't hurt to try one. Are you having problems with the S80 or just looking for a change of scene?

 

[Willman0527]

It can't hurt to try one. Are you having problems with the S80 or just looking for a change of scene?

Just looking for a change I have literally only played this mouthpiece when i started its 10 years old.

 

[kasparguy]

I don't know how the new Soloists compare to the vintage originals. I started out my saxophone life my junior year of high school on a Scroll shank (soloist-style) C*. In college I switched to a Rousseau NC4 for a couple of years and eventually back to an original Soloist. I've never been a fan of the S-80's. I'm not sure if it's just been the quality of the facings, or the square chamber. But with my draw to the soloist and later scroll shank mouthpieces, and the round chamber Rousseau, I suspect it's a chamber characteristic, thing. I plan on trying some other mouthpieces once I am able to play again to see if other square chamber mouthpieces leave me dissatisfied the way the S-80 always has.

But like Meatballfoot said. It can't hurt to try. After all, all of the major mail order retailers have pretty generous trial policies

 

[Meatballfoot]

Just looking for a change I have literally only played this mouthpiece when i started its 10 years old.

Nothing wrong with wanting something new, although it can become an obsession. I recommend trying as many pieces as you possibly can, because it's pretty fun and it really helps to understand the role of the mouthpiece and what you want from a mouthpiece.

 

[bruce bailey]

Also try some different facings. I prefer the D for alto and used a scroll short shank for about 12 years and the S-80 D for about 32 years.

 

[Kelpie]

I have both in C* configuration and like the S-80 better. The Soloist is louder, but the lows come out a little easier with the S-80 and I like the sound better. So if you're not having projection issues, stick with the S-80 assuming you have one with a good facing. Another thing I noticed is that the Soloist is downright loud to practice on, and the S-80 saves your hearing a little.

 

[Angel]

If you try Selmer mouthpieces, make sure you try as many items as possible of the model you are looking for. That is, if you are in the market for a new Selmer S90 190 alto mouthpiece, try as many of them as you can find. The inconsistency is staggering. It's possible to find a good one, just not without trying at least several at a time.

If you're going to try Vandoren alto mouthpieces, I'd recommend trying a few Optimum AL3's.

 

[Sigmund451]

I just refaced a modern soloist. While I have some preference over the vintage models they are not bad at all. The factory facing and baffle work were terrible but the basic ingredients are there to make a good piece.

My advise at the risk of sounding self serving (or at least being accused): Buy used, buy cheap and have it worked on.

...of course only if you are sure that is the general sound you are after.

 

[Koen88]

I've had the same thing earlier this year, after playing 13 years on a S-80 C* I switched to a Soloist C** and I like this one much better, I can push it more, and it sounds more lively to me..

 

[Dave Dolson]

I have a counter-opinion about the quality of Selmer's mouthpieces. Every one I've ever purchased has been a good player. I don't measure them, I play them and they played.

For instance, I have THREE soprano Super Sessions in J facings (bought from different sources at different times) and one in E facing. The three J's are as consistent as one could imagine. I have a full range of soprano S-80's (C* through J) and they all play fine. I have alto S-80 C*, Soloist F and Super Session F and they all play fine. I have a scroll-shank soprano C* I bought new in 1957 and it is a fine player. My clarinet Selmer HS** plays very nicely. I have never had them worked on by a refacer.

I have compared one alto Soloist C* to an S-80 C* and I preferred the S-80. DAVE

 

[JackLi]

wow Dave you sure are lucky I bought a couple of S[80] C*, and a couple of modern soloist and the ones that did play barely played, and there were a couple that did literally nothing but squeak when it made a sound. I sent one of the S[80]'s to Phil Engleman and he made it playable and one of the best pieces for chamber and wind ensemble work when I still did that.

But I've had nothing but bad luck with modern Selmer pieces.

 

[Sigmund451]

I can only speak for the ones I get in from players. Obviously I dont get the good ones so I cant speak to their percentages. The ones I have gotten certainly needed a lot of help...from a playing standpoint, not simply by the numbers.

 

[Atonal]

I play an S-80 C* for all of my classical work. I have a larger tip Soloist (.080) that I like for jazz playing.

It won't necessarily hurt for you to try a Soloist, if that's what you want to do, but I prefer the S-80 and S-90 for classical work. All three models (S-80, S-90 and Soloist) are professional level mouthpieces, so a move from your S-80 to a Soloist is a side step, not an upgrade, if that's what you were thinking.

 

[Kelpie]

http://www.kesslermusic.com/KesslerCustomSax/MCAltoMouthpiece.htm
Here's a Kessler copy of the S-80 C* for less.

 

[clarnut]

My advise at the risk of sounding self serving (or at least being accused): Buy used, buy cheap and have it worked on.
...of course only if you are sure that is the general sound you are after.

Phil does a GREAT job on the soloists (modern or vintage). If that is what you are after, he can make a great player.

 

[Guest]

I personally actually prefer the Vandoren optimum mouthpiece over the selmer ones myself, you may also consider giving it a try as well.

 

[kasparguy]

I just refaced a modern soloist. While I have some preference over the vintage models they are not bad at all. The factory facing and baffle work were terrible but the basic ingredients are there to make a good piece.

My advise at the risk of sounding self serving (or at least being accused): Buy used, buy cheap and have it worked on.

I couldn't agree more. Ever since high school I've played on vintage mouthpieces that were refaced. Though I was primarily a clarinetist, the idea is the same. I found that vintage pieces, either the due to the rubber compound, or the internal dimensions, provided a generally better core sound/response. I'd rather spend $75-80 on a vintage scroll-shank Selmer and another $50-60 having it refaced by an expert craftsman, than spend the same or more on a modern piece with shoddy, workmanship.