[YAY SAXOPHONE]

I am currently looking to try one of these pieces but none of the shops in my area carry them. So, i would have to order from WWBW or Prowinds. Problem is, I have no idea which facing to get. The descriptions from Vandoren aren't helpful. So my question is, can anyone match opening sizes with the names?

Thanks.

 

[daigle65]

On the Vando site there is a mpc comparison index.

 

[Anselmo]

Hi,

As you can see I use a good bunch of vandorens. And own and I have played with more of them indeed.

What sound are you looking for?
What are you searching for?
What are you going to play with it?

These could help us.

regards,
Anselmo

 

[mlscnr]

I've always found the charts on the Vandoren website to be very helpful. The only tricky thing is that they list the tip openings in millimeters x 100 (whatever the prefix for that would be). So a tip opening listed as 204, is actually 2.04 mm, or approximately .080".

What mouthpiece are you currently playing? In what tip opening? What types of music do you play?

 

[YAY SAXOPHONE]

Currently I play a Selmer S-80 C, and I am looking for something with a round chamber, more open and free blowing. I own a V16 A6m and I love the opening and resistance of that piece, so I guess I want something similar in tip to that. I shouldn't have problem controlling it. I would use the V16 for classical but it has just a little too much edge.

I want a darker sound, at least darker than the Selmer gave me. I know they are supposed to be dark pieces, but i got a disgustingly bright and thin tone, whereas I tried my friends vandoren and loved the sound, much more complex.

I just want to know which tip opening I should order through WWBW, unless you guys know a dealer in the Pittsburgh area who carries Vandorens.

 

[mlscnr]

The A6 has a .077" tip opening. In the V5 series, I'd suggest you try either the V5 A20 or A25. They both have the .073 tip. They have slightly different facings. One has a wider tip rail - I forget which one.

What model was your friend's Vandoren?

According to the chart, the V5 A20 has a medium long facing curve length, as opposed to the A25's medium length. A longer facing curve tends to darken the sound somewhat, so you may want to try the A20. Or just try them both...

 

[YAY SAXOPHONE]

Thanks, I will make sure to check those tip openings out.

Kevin

 

[J.Max]

An A27 is about the same as a C*...

Make sure to try the Optimum AL3 also.

 

[Anselmo]

Hi,

Whatever you take from Vandoren (V5 or Optimum) will give you a bigger, powerfull, full, with projection, more body............... sound than Selmer. Your Selmer is very closed, it will give you a little, poor and maybe thin sound.

Vandorens are a little more difficult to control than Selmer, the begining could be a bit hard, but you will get very good results.

IMO the Optimum series is a the middle of the road between Selmers and the V5 series. Easy to play, bigger sound than Selmer but smaller and poorer than V5. V5 has a more complex, powerfull, full, bigger .......sound.

For me the best classical sounding mouthpieces are:
-A27: The best, the bigger and fuller tone.
-A28: near but a little bit body.
-A17: a little closed. I am selling one in mint condition.
-Optimum series: easier but litttle sound and power.

You also can have a look to this, this is me in other thread:

"Here in Europe the most used mouthpiece is the Vandoren V5 A27 and then A28.

I find Vandoren are very good ones. The V5 (A27, A28, A17) series are very versatile and polyvalent, they are a little bit more difficult to control than C*, but they are more powerfull with a richer and more complex tone. The new Optimum series is in the middle of V5 and Selmers. Perhaps you could have some "problem" at the first time with the V5 series, but with a little of work you'll find them great pieces.

But certainly, the first matter is what are you looking for in your mpc?

At the beginning I started to play with a C* (it is an standard), then I switched to a Selmer Larry Teal, great tone, more beautiful than the C*. And the final step was the Vandoren V5 A27, great tone, big, full, warm rounded........, slightly more brigth than the selmers, perhaps a little, little, little buzzy but more powerful and with a great projection. The ideal mpc for ochestral and band work. I don't like the Morgan, it is a good mpc, great low, but lacks projection."

Good luck,
Anselmo

 

[Gange]

I play the A27 since soon 20 years.

It is also a great mpc for bebop...

 

[sonicthehedgehog]

I recently switched to the A17 and I agree with Anselmo, it is a bit harder to control that a C* or my customized mouthpiece which I used all of my undergraduate degree, but it has better results once you can harness it. I recommend it hands down over most mouthpieces for classical. I absolutely adore mine.

 

[Skoothondjie]

Glad to have found this thread. I'm seriously considering buying either a V5 A17 or V5 A27. These two are very similar. It is said that the A17 is the heir of the A27. My first choice is the A27 because it allows one to play softer reeds (see http://www.vandoren.com/en/altorecap.html). However, I can get an A17 for about $30 cheaper. Will the strength of the reed be a big problem for me (I start to struggle on #3 reeds - #2.5 are fine)?

 

[Anselmo]

Glad to have found this thread. I'm seriously considering buying either a V5 A17 or V5 A27. These two are very similar. It is said that the A17 is the heir of the A27. My first choice is the A27 because it allows one to play softer reeds (see http://www.vandoren.com/en/altorecap.html). However, I can get an A17 for about $30 cheaper. Will the strength of the reed be a big problem for me (I start to struggle on #3 reeds - #2.5 are fine)?

Hi,

In my experience, I need a harder reed on the A17 because of the smaller tip opening. The resistance and control is the same on both , always with the right reed strenght for each one.
IMHO the A27 gives you a bigger, fatter, fuller tone than the A17.

Cheers!!!!!!!!!!
Anselmo

 

[Skoothondjie]

Purchased an A27 today. Will arrive in about 2 weeks. Will keep you posted.