Have you tried the V5 B75 or B95?
These are along the lines of a V16 but less raucous (I think).
If you more to spend the Drake Rollover is a nice option.
Although a Rollover piece, they have more baffle than most would expect and can fire up nicely with a little more air.
Maybe even a Berg 2 chamber is worth a shot.

 

I’ve not ever before witnessed the word insipid being used to describe a mouthpiece. Good use of words ! ! !

Try B Flat’s recommendation of the V5 B75 or B95.

Good luck! 🍀

 

Budget friendly, the Rico Metalite often gets the spotlight but the Graftonite ones I have also found quite playable. The Graftonites don't have the baffle of the Metalite so less raucous. Not sure if you would find it insipid!

A B5 would not be too loud, or possibly B7. They are about $35 US new. Meyers are good on bari; a different design than the alto/tenor models.

To me the Rousseau JDX strange chamber design makes them raucous so we are all different. Not sure if your are talking timbre or volume. You might try to find a Link HR or brass in about a 6, 6* or 7 opening. A V5 size B95 is fairly open. Bergs are hit or miss in terms of facing and tend to be pricey for that, unless you get to try before you buy.

 

So initial feedback is don’t go near the jj trad or the Meyer?

 

So initial feedback is don't go near the jj trad or the Meyer?

Actually both are good options for you. Can you clarify more what you don't like about the V16 B75? I know several players who sound good on Meyer 6 bari pieces and are happy with them and I had one for a while. I would say they are pretty consistent. Sold mine cuz I don't play much bari.

 

So many options! PPT signature or an old tone edge haven't been mentioned, I am fond of both.

 

Trying to keep it to $100 us...

 

Or less

 

Hard Rubber Berg's sound fantastic on baritone or maybe a Soloist if you can find it. I have both and they are both very versatile.

 

Yes I agree on the Soloist but the modern S90 I have is just like a Soloist to me.

 

Thanks everyone. Market is tricky in Australia. There’s one purveyor of used mpcs I’ve found decent. i may need to get my head around the us and European options

 

I have found the very versatile Selmer S90 to do just want you want. It plays just like the V16 but quieter. I suspect the V5 as someone earlier suggested would be alike if you want to stay in the Vandoren family. I don’t think the Meyers or Jody or Bergs or any of those will be more toned down than a V16. I play on a V16 for my Bari and it took me awhile to settle with it being my main piece. It’s the better version of the Meyer and way better than Jody in MHO.

 

Hi all

im very happy with my vandoren v16 b7 as my main bari mpc but do feel I "need" something less raucous at times.

second hand markets in Australia have thrown up a Jody jazz hr 5 for $75 us and a Meyer 6 for $120 us

ive tried a Rousseau jdx5 as my quiieter piece but found it underwhelming / insipid

i have brilhart and Meyer 5s for the alto and tenor

which way would you guys go

Can you name some bari players you like?
USD100 is not a lot at all for a bari mpc.
The Rico stuff is cheap but I think they're awful.
I'd rather get a Yamaha 6C (as big as possible). Get it straightened out/opened up by Max at ASC and it will be great.
not, find a used rubber yanagisawa or Meyer.
But, despite the smaller tip openings, if someone can't sound great on a Yamaha 6C then just go practice more. People diss them because they're cheap but the internal is very good. With a straight facing they're excellent!

 

Thanks Benny I’ve already got a Yamaha to go with the v16 b7. I see the Yamaha as the mouthpiece for my daughter... Phil has a Meyer 6 for $185 aud which is intriguing me ...

i haven’t heard of max at ASC before. Can you share a website?

on the bari player I like that’s an interesting question... I like / seek to be be like the faceless baritone players of New Orleans, Memphis and muscle Shoals from 1960 to 1972 laying down competent bari lines in 3 and 4 member horn sections (ok they aren’t faceless and I could pull up the names with 5 minutes effort... but that should place my interests well enough)

 

Thanks Benny I've already got a Yamaha to go with the v16 b7. I see the Yamaha as the mouthpiece for my daughter... Phil has a Meyer 6 for $185 aud which is intriguing me ...

i haven't heard of max at ASC before. Can you share a website?

on the bari player I like that's an interesting question... I like / seek to be be like the faceless baritone players of New Orleans, Memphis and muscle Shoals from 1960 to 1972 laying down competent bari lines in 3 and 4 member horn sections (ok they aren't faceless and I could pull up the names with 5 minutes effort... but that should place my interests well enough)

Affordable & Reliable Mouthpiece Refacing - Avel Sound Concept

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avelsoundconcept.com

he's on this forum too

 

If the JJ piece is an HR* that's a pretty good price for it and you could turn it around for that if you don't like it. If it's one of the older JJ "Classic" pieces that were re-branded Runyons I'd pass on that one. I agree with MM in that I didn't find the JDX pieces to be dark or "insipid". The designs are different but I don't think the Meyer will blow brighter than the JDX so if you thought the JDX lacked guts I don't know that you'll find the stock Meyer much better.

Those V16's are really nice all-around bari pieces and B7 is a good tip size for bari. I'm not sure you are going to find a solution in buying another piece. You like the way you sound on the V16 so when you play anything that's naturally "less raucous" it feels a bit lifeless by comparison. The Soloist, S90, and Yamaha are all good suggestions if you want something that leans more towards classical or concert band than jazz or big band but all of those will be darker than the JDX so they don't really sit between the JDX and V16 on the bright/dark scale. The two Selmers won't be easy to get for $100 either.

My first instinct would be to agree with your band mate. Get a slightly harder reed and just work with the V16 B7. You could get the Meyer, a Yamaha, or some other basic HR or plastic bari piece and try fine tuning it by adding a bit of rollover baffle with some blue-tac or modeling clay to give it a bit more presence. Sort of like a poor man's HR Link - although if you're patient you might find a used HR Tone Edge within your budget as well that could be close to what you're looking for. A V16 B5 with a harder reed or maybe the back of the baffle taken down a bit might suit you as well but that's unlikely to come in at under $100 either.

 

If the JJ piece is an HR* that's a pretty good price for it and you could turn it around for that if you don't like it. If it's one of the older JJ "Classic" pieces that were re-branded Runyons I'd pass on that one. I agree with MM in that I didn't find the JDX pieces to be dark or "insipid". The designs are different but I don't think the Meyer will blow brighter than the JDX so if you thought the JDX lacked guts I don't know that you'll find the stock Meyer much better.

Those V16's are really nice all-around bari pieces and B7 is a good tip size for bari. I'm not sure you are going to find a solution in buying another piece. You like the way you sound on the V16 so when you play anything that's naturally "less raucous" it feels a bit lifeless by comparison. The Soloist, S90, and Yamaha are all good suggestions if you want something that leans more towards classical or concert band than jazz or big band but all of those will be darker than the JDX so they don't really sit between the JDX and V16 on the bright/dark scale. The two Selmers won't be easy to get for $100 either.

My first instinct would be to agree with your band mate. Get a slightly harder reed and just work with the V16 B7. You could get the Meyer, a Yamaha, or some other basic HR or plastic bari piece and try fine tuning it by adding a bit of rollover baffle with some blue-tac or modeling clay to give it a bit more presence. Sort of like a poor man's HR Link - although if you're patient you might find a used HR Tone Edge within your budget as well that could be close to what you're looking for. A V16 B5 with a harder reed or maybe the back of the baffle taken down a bit might suit you as well but that's unlikely to come in at under $100 either.

Thanks. I'll try to sit on my hands and just keep practising more..... i should also have another look at the JDX...

 

Did you try a lot of reeds on the v16 to see what that does to improve playability? Do you know how to adjust reeds as well? These skills will allow you to fine tune your playing to a higher level and help you determine whether a mouthpiece will work for you or do the reeds need to be adjusted to work for you as well? Try different strenghts and cuts of reeds to see if a particular style of reed works well for you or not?

 

thanks - tried many many reeds (ok - the full vandoren and rico ranges across 2.5 and 3) - and ended up back on the royal 3.0........

its a good mouthpiece and practise is making me better and giving me more control

ive also stumbled onto a brilhart personaline which arrives on monday which will be interesting as it is

a) sensational piece of history,
b) theoretically more sensible, and
c) completes my brilharts for all saxes set (the others being ebolins)

 

I have a refaced B5 for sale. made into like a "B6" by Phil.