[Cannonball24]

Hi,

I was curious if some people wouldn't mind commenting on both the Vandoren V16 alto mouthpiece, medium and small chambers. I own both, but was curious to see what others thought of both of them.

Thanks...

 

[dexdex]

I played for about 4 years on a V16 8M on my alto (SA-II). One of the best alto mps I played so far, in the Phil Woods or lead alto type of sound and style (à la Quincy Jones sax section). Excellent intonation, and very nice tone. Why did I change ? Cause I found a Meyer that has a bit more "grain" and punch in the upper range. And less resistance. But I don't think tone and intonation is as balanced as on the Vando.
If I could make one critic: most Vandorens I played on alto have a bit too much resistance for my taste, but that's just my opinion. I'd love to have an alto as free blowing as my bari...

 

[saxmusicguy]

Cause I found a Meyer that has a bit more "grain" and punch in the upper range. And less resistance.

Just a stock Meyer?

 

[EZ]

I prefer the small chambered V16's on alto as my personal tastes are for more focus and liveliness (I also prefer small chambered Meyers). The hard rubber V16's are very consistently made - the common complaint (as infrequently as people complain about these mouthpieces) is that they are a little too resistant. Once freed up, you get that great tone but don't have to work as hard to obtain it.

 

[Dagvei]

The Vandoren mpc is a "Meyer-type" mpc, why not try the original?

 

[dexdex]

Just a stock Meyer?

I couldn't swear it, but it doesn't show any sign of rework/reface.

 

[Grumps]

The Vandoren mpc is a "Meyer-type" mpc, why not try the original?

The true originals can cost a fortune, and the modern line isn't known for the type of quality that Vandoren mouthpieces exemplify.

 

[dexdex]

The Vandoren mpc is a "Meyer-type" mpc, why not try the original?

The Vandos seem to have more consistency, you are just more likely, at least in France (where I bought mine) or Switzerland to find one which fits your expectations. It took me several years to come across a Meyer that really does it.

Edit: dunno who respectively distributes Vando and Meyer in France and Switzerland, but Vandoren obviously gets a ways better service. On n'est jamais si bien servi que par soi-même.
Besides that, compare Vandoren's and Babbit's website, and try to choose your mouthpiece accordingly... Vandoren even has a very handy iPhone application.

Edit II: I don't have any interests related to Vandoren. Their domination on the local clarinet mp market even scares me a bit. (scare ? en français, je dirais plutôt agacer. ****-off ?).

Edit III: but I do play Vando pieces on my Bb and bass clarinets. Ira furor brevis est.

 

[JackLi]

Call me the odd man out but I actually find the V16's a bit too free blowing. I have only owned the medium chambered V16 and I find the sound "brittle" sounding compared to a comparative to a Medium Chambered MeYer, but it does have more projection than the standard medium chambered MeYer. I remembered trying a small chambered V16 in a store really quickly and I did prefer it to the Medium Chambered one I have but I didn't buy it so....

But yeah for the money they are worth the money.

 

[luvkingsax]

At the dealer where I purchased my new Yani A901, I tried both the Meyer and the Runyon and didn't like either of them. Then they let me try the V16. The V16 A8 with the small chamber did the trick. It gave incredible control fom very soft and mellow to very loud and edgy. As far as I'm concerned, this facing and chamber gave me the best results and spanked the competition.

 

[nitrosax]

V16 alto pieces have great quality control and beautiful facing curves but I still think the Meyer alto pieces have a certain warmth that the vando pieces lack...same with the V16 hard rubber tenor pieces vs the hard rubber link pieces... just my opinion though

 

[themacintrasher]

I think you get a bigger alto sound from the med chamber V16s. The small chamber V16s are a bit thinner sounding. They're very similar though.

 

[bkobog]

At the dealer where I purchased my new Yani A901, I tried both the Meyer and the Runyon and didn't like either of them. Then they let me try the V16. The V16 A8 with the small chamber did the trick. It gave incredible control fom very soft and mellow to very loud and edgy. As far as I'm concerned, this facing and chamber gave me the best results and spanked the competition.

can you be so kind to share the reed & ligature combination that you use for the V16 A8S mpc?

thanks.

 

[sislersm]

I have a small chamber A5 and it allowed me to project as the lead alto player in my collegiate jazz ensemble for all 3 years I had that duty. I have a harder time controlling and getting the response I want in the lower range of my saxophone but that is also an embouchure issue for me. However, this mouthpiece can be very loud and edge or soft and mellow. It is very flexible outside of my own playing flaws.

 

[florian]

To me the v16 alto mpcs (whether small or medium chamber) sound too harsh and too bright. A Meyer with small chamber does not sound as bright to me as the v16 mpcs. Never liked them on alto.

 

[dkoehler]

I have an A6M which produces a nice sound but is too resistant for my taste. I'd be interested to try a small chamber or a different tip, but the experience kind of put me off V16s. Great reeds though!!

 

[mcsmyth]

I used to play on an A7S while playing lead in a collegiate band...definitely helps with cutting through

 

[leewez]

Hi guys,

i'm looking for a Vandoren V16 mouthpiece for my balanced action either a A5M or A6M, let me know if you can help,

Thanks!