[Permanent Beginner]

Horn: '49 Conn 10m
Mouthpiece: Brilhart Ebolin, 6* more or less (I smoothed out some ripples and a warp, measures about .084")
Reed: Rico 2
Player: Mature amateur

I've tried a few horns and a few mouthpieces and a bunch of reeds, and this is my setup. Your first reaction is that my reeds are too soft. I do not like the sound of hard reeds. I repeat: I do not like the sound of hard reeds.

But I might have to take a look at something here. The horn sounds like sex but when I record a rock-and-roll solo it's just a bit dull sounding for the purpose.

Is it possible to increase the buzzy/brassy aspect of the sound without making it loud and pointy? I tried a Rico Royal C7 mouthpiece and it sounded like I was trying to kill somebody. My ears hurt. The neighbors went beserk, which is something that is wise to avoid in this neighborhood.

That aggressive pointy sound is not what I'm looking for. Just getting a little more brassy buzz and maintaining the good dynamics.

Any ideas?
(cheap ideas are better than expensive ones, but I'm willing to listen).

 

[baritone saxophone]

Try some Vandoren ZZ reeds. They have some buzz.

 

[stefank]

I'm not using my Ebolin much now (although it's too good to get rid of), but when I was I used Javas if I wanted to blend, and ZZs for a bit more edge. Fibracells also worked well, and were edgier still.

 

[bruce bailey]

For nearly 40 years I use a Florida Slant HR Link on Tenor but now that I have a Chu, I am using a Brilhart Tonalite and find it a great direct mouthpiece.

 

[king koeller]

Get some Vandoren Javas 3's.(like STEFANK)On My Ebolin, Javas worked great! These are perfect for your small tip mouthpiece.
The .084" tip is very small for a tenor. The facing needs a harder reed to really project your sound for a rock and roll solo.
Or get a bigger piece, for you ,...Maybe a Metal Link 7, Perfect for rock.
I use Berg Larsen Bronze 110/over1 with Java 3.5's for rock.
With rock and roll, you want a big, loud, bright sound, that cuts through the mix! GO FOR IT !! Rock is about Attitude, you need to blow your fricken guts out and kick some *****.GO For The Screaming High Notes!!!

 

[Lenny]

Have you tried the Rico plastic covered reeds? They have a bright edgy sound.

 

[Captain Beeflat]

I agree absolutely with Lenny. Also, if you play tenor, try Rico Plasticover baritone reeds...even more buzz.

 

[Permanent Beginner]

I've gotta take the advice of someone named Captain Beeflat.

PB

 

[Permanent Beginner]

Except....is this thing going to start sounding like a kazoo now, if I go all the way to a Plasticote Baritone, or will it sound pretty much like a saxophone still?

I sure do wish that someone let you buy five-paks of reeds -- but you could mix up types. I'd pay the ten-pak price for eight reeds -- a pair each of the four Vandoren styles or however many Rico styles there are...

Perm

 

[Pinnman]

Well, here's another suggestion: try Java 2 reeds. The Ebolin should be brill; it is just a matter of matching up. Java are not too hard compared with other reeds.

 

[Bill Mecca]

I think I stil have a few #2 plasticovers lying around if you want them let me know.

 

[Permanent Beginner]

Bill, that's very nice of you, thanks.

I left a message for you in your box...I don't know what I can offer in trade but I'd be happy to compensate in some way.

Perm

 

[Bill Mecca]

Sorry,

I haven't forgotten, I will make sure I still have them tonight and get back to you. It's just been nuts at work and the kids going back to school, and one needing some minor surgery.... life is what happens when you're making other plans!

 

[Permanent Beginner]

Bill,

I got 'em and they play like a dream. D'Addario should send you a commission.

Doubleplus thanks!

Perm

 

[Jolle]

now we're at it. Although your problem seems solved, I would also suggest getting a harder reed. I hate the harsh sound too, but as I could experience, harder reeds can go really, really smooth too when you train on it. You'll have a bigger dynamic range.

my 2 cents

 

[bruce bailey]

.084" is about a slocsed as I can go and I generally don't go too open. A harder reed may be the best solution. Even a modern 6* should be more open(?) My 4* vintage is more like .095".

 

[Permanent Beginner]

Y'know, if I could find one of these a little more open I'd buy it. I don't suppose there's anything current that is just like these but available open wider...

And yeah, there seems to be a lot of consensus that I should go harder, so the next reeds I get I'll notch up, get used to it, and see what happens. Even though I don't hardly like anyone's sound nowadays.

 

[Bill Mecca]

Glad it worked for you. Play what you like, the only one you have to please is yourself.