[Permanent Beginner]

Well, I sold everything and am now a happy 1965 10M owner and player. It was set up by Carl Pellito at Shuffle Music, and it plays fabulously. I'm playing more now and enjoying it more too.

But there were things I lost, too, and I miss them. The 1965 is a Betty, clean and cool and getting good grades. The 1954 was a Veronica, with more prominent curves, more pheromones, and a higher body temperature.

Having an arsenal of horns is not doable. I wonder whether anyone has relevant experience to tell me whether there's anything I can do with Betty reedwise or mouthpiecewise or anythingelsewise to give me the option of getting a little more Veronica once in a while.

You're going to ask me about what I use now. I'm settling on a medium Metallite although I have a few Graftonites for variety. Reeds are V16 #2 and, for variety, Rico Royal and Plasticote #2.5 . I don't have much experience with expensive stuff.

Does anyone have any actual insights on this idea?
Thank you for your kind attention.

Perm

 

[jicaino]

Maybe she's a betty with you, former owner says she was a Natasha

 

[lhoffman]

What did Carl have to say about the horn? His shop is one of the things about Rochester I miss.

 

[Permanent Beginner]

He liked it, apparently quite a bit ... after he did his magic to it, of course.

 

[JayeLID]

The later Artist series horns are perhaps the best-kept secret in the sax world. Incredibly undervalued.

Why don't you just take your schoolgirl out and try as many mouthpieces as possible...?

Honestly, I cannot say anything good about ANY Rico mouthpieces. I have never met one which did a saxophone any justice. I don't think they would do a 10M justice, certainly....

Now...if what you are after is a more sultry, smoky, lush babe on the cheap (yeow...and who isn't ?)...then I'd suggest something like a Hite Premier or Brilhart Ebolin in the budget price range...or a Meyer rubber 5 or 6 or Link Rubber in the middle price range.

...keep in mind also that sometimes it's those straight-laced bookish types that can get the most---

well...y'know...

 

[GFC12]

I used to own a 1957 Betty who seemed to resent it when I tried to make her do the Veronica thing. Veronica loves it when I ride her hard. Betty got kind of harsh and bitchy. Betty is still a nice girl if you play it cool.

 

[maddenma]

Dump the Ricos

 

[Permanent Beginner]

Now...if what you are after is a more sultry, smoky, lush babe on the cheap (yeow...and who isn't ?)...then I'd suggest something like a Hite Premier or Brilhart Ebolin in the budget price range...or a Meyer rubber 5 or 6 or Link Rubber in the middle price range.

Thank you for the thoughtful thoughts.

I did have a Brilhart Ebolin long ago when I started, but it was shorter than all the other mouthpieces and it wouldn't tune. I could go back and check it again.

Never had a Hite or a Link anything...

I've got a Meyer way back in the closet, 7 I think, but I could never get past that hard rubber smell. It's a particularly smelly one.

 

[GT]

That smell just reminds you of Jughead! You'll get used to it.

 

[skeller047]

Might help to know what kind of sound you are after. The Metalite will get you into Lenny Pickett territory, whereas a Link points you more toward Lester. Or Stan, or Dexter.

Despite what others have said, I kinda like the Graftonites I have - they are a little coarse and harsh (more like Olive Oyl...) compared to a nice Link, but they play well. You might do better with an "A" chamber Graftonite if you are looking for more depth to the tone.

I'm afraid if you are looking for more edge with your depth (or depth with your edge, depending) you will need to spend more money than a Graftonite or even a HR Link. If I were looking for a good all-around piece with enough edge for rock or blues, and didn't like the Metalite, I would be looking at Aaron Drake's pieces. I've played both a tenor and alto piece (in pass-arounds last year) and was very impressed with the quality, both in obvious items like rails, tip, window and overall finish and intangibles like smoothness, tone and depth.

 

[Permanent Beginner]

Actually I like the Metalite. Actually I almost kinda love it. Actually it's the piece I've been happiest with after 35 years of futzing with this stuff on an extremely amateur and sporadic basis. But on my horn it's Betty, and I love Betty but I confess to looking at the grass on the other side once in a while.

As for whose sound I like, I don't really have a model except maybe Sam Butera, and that's not quite what I'm after. Or maybe it is. I'm just back from two hours in the Dentist's chair and I don't feel like thinking. I'll get back to you.

**********

"Dump the Ricos"

Haven't you seen the rule?
Whenever you say that you don't like something you have to say what you do like.

P-Beg

 

[Permanent Beginner]

.
"...keep in mind also that sometimes it's those straight-laced bookish types that can get the most---

well...y'know..."

 

[jazzznbluezzz]

.
"...keep in mind also that sometimes it's those straight-laced bookish types that can get the most---

well...y'know..."

Yeah I know... the ones that blush shy and ask: "is that a 10M in your pocket or are you just glad to see me?"

I like the Metalites on my Conns. The M7 can be bright however when playing with an 'open' embouchure you can make it sound as dark as you'd like.

Anyway I never seem to get a Betty out of my 10M. I do get it to sound more like a peroxide blonde Brandi or sometimes like a huge Wilma or Bertha.

 

[EsbSpecial]

You have a 10m.

Get a Link STM NY.

Thank me later.

 

[GFC12]

You have a 10m.

Get a Link STM NY.

Thank me later.

Could work with a larger tip like #8 or #9 and a soft reed. Put Betty in a sweet, luxurious, lounging mood and don't make her complain by making her hotter than she wants to be.

 

[artstove]

My '67 10M seemed to do well with a Vandoren V16HR and a refaced Berg HR.

 

[bandmommy]

I feel bad for Betty.
It's painful being a less curvy brunette when all your man can think about when he's touching you is a blonde bombshell.
Sure, she can dye her hair, wear a push up bra, and a slinky little dress, but deep down.... She's always going to be Betty.

 

[area51recording]

My '67 10M seemed to do well with a Vandoren V16HR and a refaced Berg HR.

+1 on the V16. I used a Metalite for years on my 64 10M. Switched to a Morgan 7L when I began searching for a darker sound. I loved the Morgan but it wasn't versatile enough for all my gigs, which in some instances called for a bit more bite. The V16HR gives me the bite I need as well as a darker sound when I want it.