[ZephyrSax]

Anyone have any experience with this particular piece? Any good reviews or descriptions of it?

Oh, and I do have a specific question: the one Smooth Bore I tried seemed to have a very "slippery" reed surface. I could tighten the ligature all I liked, but all that managed to do was pinch off the sound, and the reed could still shift more than I would like. Anyone have any suggestions to fix this? Maybe a different ligature (the plastic thing is ok....but I'm open)?

 

[luispa]

I assume you're talking about a tenor sax mouthpiece. I've two The Spoiler Series metal mouthpieces (Same as Smooth Bore) one for alto and one for tenor. This problem is easily noticeable in the tenor one. I use that mouthpiece with a Rovner ligature.

 

[ZephyrSax]

Oh, I am talking alto, sorry for not mentioning that.

 

[MojoBari]

The Nickel plating does often make the reed table seem slippery. After it wears some it gets easier to work with. A ligature change may also help. I suppose the surface can be roughed up a little with 600 grit sandpaper. But I do not recommend you try this yourself.

 

[ZephyrSax]

Thanks for the advice thus far. However, isn't the Smooth Bore chromium-plated, not nickel?

Any thoughts on ligatures? These tiny metal things don't seem to have a lot of options...

 

[luispa]

Any thoughts on ligatures? These tiny metal things don't seem to have a lot of options...

I'm using a leather ligature with the alto mouthpiece. It's very similar to a Rovner but built with leather instead synthetic material. I think the Olegature could be an option too.

 

[Reedsplinter]

One of the new Francois Louis ligs might work for you; they are, by all reports, quite small!

Maybe also check Winslow or Saxxas. I haven't tried the saxxas, but it's similar in design to Winslow. These ligs are highly adjustable, but you can screw 'em down really tight if necessary without dampening the reed, because of the cushioning on the reed plate (if that's the right term for this kind of lig: it ain't a plate exactly. . .).

 

[Martin Williams]

I used a Smoothbore 10 on my alto for a bit, and it had a good tone. Intonation though was bad(zephyr alto)

Used a Rovner Light Lig, never had a slip problem

 

[ZephyrSax]

Yes, I like the tone too, but mine is a 7 and the intonation is a bit horrifying (and, as my name implies, I'm using a Zephyr alto myself).

What size ligature would work? I'm sure a standard alto sax would be too big, so...soprano, maybe?

 

[MojoBari]

Thanks for the advice thus far. However, isn't the Smooth Bore chromium-plated, not nickel?

It might be. I play a metal Quantum that tarnishes more like what I would expect Nickel to do. Chrome is mostly Nickel anyway.

I like Rovner Lite Ligatures on these.

 

[ZephyrSax]

Ah, fair enough, Mojo.

So, you are referring to the L11 Rovner Light, are you?

Oh, and do you find the intonation as sketchy as Martin Williams and I do?

Thanks for the help, it is greatly appreciated.

 

[Martinman]

My friend has one, and I didn't like it, but you will probably have the best reed results using somthing that will clamp that sucker tight to keep the reed from moving. Leather would be good, Oleg, not so much. I love the Oleg and hate the leathers, but they sure keep a reed on...

 

[MojoBari]

I think I use L12 and L13 on tenor and bari Quantums. They have a similar body size to Smoothbores. I have not evaluated Smoothbores for intonation.

There are 2 aspects to intonation: Control and accuracy between high/low notes. Control is mostly a tip opening consideration. If it is "wild", try a smaller tip opening and harder reed. If your high notes are flat and/or your low notes are sharp, you should try a larger chamber design and push it in more to tune the mid-range.

 

[JonF992]

I use a smoothbore all the time on my Buescher 400 bari. It's a great mouthpiece, whispers or roars, intonation is good too. I use a Rovner lig, and have no problems at al with the reed moving.

 

[jazzcat58]

smoothbore!!

I use a smoothbore on my bari "the martin" 56 and also a rovner dark lig which seems to give me excellent responce low and high,altissimo is really easy with this piece its a 8 opening by the way.
intonation is not bad just have to adjust now and then.
bryan