Good call. I like to tweak Javas to increase their liveliness which allows them to scream but then they can also back off nicely which makes them more versatile than a Jumbo.
vandoren java vs. otto link vs meyer
I tried 4 hard rubber mouthpieces looking for a warm mouthpiece with good edge for jazz and fusion. Here are my results:
1) otto link and meyer hard rubber pieces: somewhere in the middle. Decent edge and warmth. Not dark and not bright. Both were too similar to my ears to compare here in detail.
2) vandoren jumbo java: really high baffle makes this piece veeery edgy. It can peel paint off the wall if you get too close. Very bright sound and lacks lower harmonics. Too edgy for my taste.
3) vandoren java: wow, I was surprised how much edge this piece has, without the ear piercing qualities of the jumbo java. Unlike the jumbo it has enough warmth and darkness to make it sound more like a normal mouthpiece but has a really good amount of edge without being too edgy like the jumbo. This is the winner and I am returning the rest. I think of this piece as a cross between the jumbo and the link/meyer
also, I tried the otto link new york metal piece before these and I did not like it. from what i remember it didnt sound as good as the hard rubber tone edge, but I didnt have it around to compare to the rest so I didn't include it in the comparison.
the verdict: if you want a considerably edgy mouthpiece for jazz and fusion that doesn't lack that bottom end warmth, get a vandoren java. Jumbo java is quite extreme, and otto link and meyer are good and balanced sounding.
1) otto link and meyer hard rubber pieces: somewhere in the middle. Decent edge and warmth. Not dark and not bright. Both were too similar to my ears to compare here in detail.
2) vandoren jumbo java: really high baffle makes this piece veeery edgy. It can peel paint off the wall if you get too close. Very bright sound and lacks lower harmonics. Too edgy for my taste.
3) vandoren java: wow, I was surprised how much edge this piece has, without the ear piercing qualities of the jumbo java. Unlike the jumbo it has enough warmth and darkness to make it sound more like a normal mouthpiece but has a really good amount of edge without being too edgy like the jumbo. This is the winner and I am returning the rest. I think of this piece as a cross between the jumbo and the link/meyer
also, I tried the otto link new york metal piece before these and I did not like it. from what i remember it didnt sound as good as the hard rubber tone edge, but I didnt have it around to compare to the rest so I didn't include it in the comparison.
the verdict: if you want a considerably edgy mouthpiece for jazz and fusion that doesn't lack that bottom end warmth, get a vandoren java. Jumbo java is quite extreme, and otto link and meyer are good and balanced sounding.
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I really like the Javas as well. The Javas made from the blue compound play warmer and more alive sounding to my ears. With a medium bari brand plastic tenor reed they can play warm/hot with edge. A plasticover reed works well. I have a Java blue T45 with an enlarged chamber that plays fatter and warmer than the regular java or java blue. I'm on a Buffet Dynation tenor whick is dark to begin with.
Hey EZ -
Just curious as to how you go about tweaking your JAVAs? Is it some sort of modification to the baffle or addition to it? I play both the A45 and T95 JAVAs and would'nt mind getting quicker response from them down around C, B, Bb while still maintaining their warm/sub-toning characteristics.
Thanx - C.
Just curious as to how you go about tweaking your JAVAs? Is it some sort of modification to the baffle or addition to it? I play both the A45 and T95 JAVAs and would'nt mind getting quicker response from them down around C, B, Bb while still maintaining their warm/sub-toning characteristics.
Thanx - C.
Yazzman, which sax are you talking? First I assumed alto, until I saw mention of the Link NY so I think it is tenor.
To me the Otto Link and Meyer rubber mpcs are not that similar on alto. On tenor I can't comment very accurately since it's been a while.
To me the Otto Link and Meyer rubber mpcs are not that similar on alto. On tenor I can't comment very accurately since it's been a while.
The Javas pack more punch for me on Tenor.
The Javas are different from the HR Links and Meyers. The Vandoren baffle construction adds quite a lot of midfrequency punch to the sound. Link Tone Edge and HR Meyer are more "classical" pieces with less projection.
Both Java and HR Meyer are medium chamber pieces, HR Link has a large chamber.
So comparing these three actually doesn't make so much sense. They are differently designed mouthpieces aimed to differently oriented users.
Java is the more contemporary piece, the other two are more traditional ones. Link without some alteration is quite subdued, IMHO.
Both Java and HR Meyer are medium chamber pieces, HR Link has a large chamber.
So comparing these three actually doesn't make so much sense. They are differently designed mouthpieces aimed to differently oriented users.
Java is the more contemporary piece, the other two are more traditional ones. Link without some alteration is quite subdued, IMHO.
I thought the Meyers, at least for alto, have more of a squeeze to the chamber than the Java. It adds a different sort of brightness or focus than the baffle which is bit more pronounced on the Java. So whether you find the Meyer or Java more contemporary may not be that easy to predict, I think.
The Link has an even bigger chamber so tends to be darker yet and more resistant.
The Link has an even bigger chamber so tends to be darker yet and more resistant.
You're right. For alto at least. But for tenor, I'm not so sure. I have a HR Meyer 10M tenor piece and a Vandoren Java T75. The Meyer has a slightly smaller chamber, I think, and a squeeze throat. But playing them side by side and comparing them at least I get a more contemporary and powerful sound from the Vandoren and it is much easier to color. For me it's the clear winner.MM said:I thought the Meyers, at least for alto, have more of a squeeze to the chamber than the Java. It adds a different sort of brightness or focus than the baffle which is bit more pronounced on the Java. So whether you find the Meyer or Java more contemporary may not be that easy to predict, I think.
Both mouthpieces have similar tip openings around .105.
For alto the Meyer has rightly been the standard mouthpiece. When I played alto as my main instrument I played a Meyer 4M from 50's, and later both 5M and 6M, both modern pieces from 70's. I liked 6M very much. My horn was a Mark VI, and later a MarkVII.
Nowadays I play mainly tenor, it is a Mark VI, vintage 1965. I prefer Link-like mouthpieces.
I like the blues better as well. My fav is a T97 I bought new in 1990, the store owner was a Couf player and he put the piece on a lathe and cut 1/2 inch off the back. It plays much better than a stock T97 I picked up off of ebay. I also picked up a black T95, which was much less pleasing to listen to.Saxland said:I really like the Javas as well. The Javas made from the blue compound play warmer and more alive sounding to my ears. With a medium bari brand plastic tenor reed they can play warm/hot with edge. A plasticover reed works well. I have a Java blue T45 with an enlarged chamber that plays fatter and warmer than the regular java or java blue. I'm on a Buffet Dynation tenor whick is dark to begin with.
I think the jumbos get a bad rap. It takes a little practice, if you are not used to the baffle, but can be a good piece. Warren Hill plays one, he sounds alright...regardless of the style.
with a meyer 6m mp for alto, which hardness of reeds should i choose. i play on vandoren Javas or ZZ's.
thx
thx
I think its eally hard to compare mouthpieces - everyone sounds different with each player. Even if they have the same set up. I recently tried the Java's a Java A45 and a Jumbo JAva A45, for me the java was stuufier and duller then my meyer, and the jumbo was great could play hot or mild and had great tone and harmonics in all ranges. The player has so much to do with it its crazy.
Depends on your embochure and how you play, but a 3 should do nicely.
TENOR?? ALTO?? BARI????? (I'll assume it's not soprano).....
What horn are you talking about? It makes a big difference. Otherwise you're all talking "apples & oranges."
What horn are you talking about? It makes a big difference. Otherwise you're all talking "apples & oranges."
Holy zombie thread, Batman!!!
LOL. No wonder the OP didn't respond! I just noticed the date. I still wish people would identify the horn they are talking about.......Holy zombie thread, Batman!!!
Hey guys!
For rock/blues stuff Java or Jumbo Java? Jumbo java, right?
For rock/blues stuff Java or Jumbo Java? Jumbo java, right?
1 - 18 of 18 Posts
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