[soybean]

I tried this… I think it was Sam's Secret. The tone gets a little brighter and edgier and I feel it gets some more punch…

Did you put the tape under the reed as well? Did you use plumber's tape? Thanks

 

[Dana in Philly]

He's using medical tape as a bite guard.

 

[jazzznbluezzz]

Yes, all around the beak including the reed. Just one single wound. I used plain plastic tape which is used to insulate electrical wiring. I thought I'd give it a try and never expected to give any result except for not playing
at all. I am really surprised it does play.. And not bad either.
I am not sure what it actually does. It suspect the tape damps the vibration of the reed a little.In a way it sounds brighter yet still powerful. Anyway I think it is fun to experiment with. Sam got on to something. I can not imagine he was the only one doing this.

 

[milandro]

so you have found out what I postulated above, that the “ tape” went all round partially closing the “ window”

 

[mrpeebee]

Yes, all around the beak including the reed. Just one single wound. I used plain plastic tape which is used to insulate electrical wiring. I thought I'd give it a try and never expected to give any result except for not playing
at all. I am really surprised it does play.. And not bad either.
I am not sure what it actually does. It suspect the tape damps the vibration of the reed a little.In a way it sounds brighter yet still powerful. Anyway I think it is fun to experiment with. Sam got on to something. I can not imagine he was the only one doing this.

so you have found out what I postulated above, that the " tape" went all round partially closing the " window"

Milandro, I assume JNB did put the tape over the reed, otherwise the facing curve would be interrupted, causing leaks. So when put over the reed it also doesn't close the window.

JNB, to make things more clear it would be nice if you could post a picture on how you applied the tape exactly (especially on the reed part).

I also think that the tape will dampen the reed vibrations at the thick part and because of that give more/faster reed movements at the tip part. That could cause a brighter and more resonant sound. You can simulate it by, while playing a long tone, putting your thumb at the same area of the reed where the tape is attached. I remember from many moons ago that this also makes the tone change to more bright.

 

[milandro]

I didn’t mean it was put OVER but UNDER the reed, if it was punt over the reed the reed placing the tape would be detrimental to vibration and be a nightmare to position and play

 

[mrpeebee]

I didn't mean it was put OVER but UNDER the reed, if it was punt over the reed the reed placing the tape would be detrimental to vibration and be a nightmare to position and play

Placing the tape under the reed (so between reed and table) will create leaks in the facing curve/reed sealing, as I tried to explain before.

 

[milandro]

And yet, this is precisely what I think that happened , we’’ll see what jazzand blues reports

 

[mrpeebee]

Indeed, the pictures should make it more clear.

If the tape would be between reed and table and past where the facing curve ends it might not create leaks and act like an increase in tip size!

 

[John Laughter]

 

[John Laughter]

This does not answer the question about the tape but gives an excellent overview of his life for those who might not know about him;

Sam Butera has died - Classic Las Vegas History Blog - Blog

One of my most favorite people in the world and one of my most favorite intervi...

classiclasvegas.squarespace.com

 

[jazzznbluezzz]

Reporting back from the lab with substantial evidence: Exhibit A!

 

[jazzznbluezzz]

I tried this on a Berg and a Brilhart Personaline. There is no questioning that it dampens some of the lower frequencies however not that much either. To my surprise there is plenty tone and volume left. But brighter and different.

 

[mrpeebee]

Thanks for the pictures JNB, that's how I though Sam did it too.

Did you also try it the way milandro thought it was done, with tape between reed and table?

 

[Sacks Of Phones]

No duct tape? Duct tape fixes everything (along with a sledge hammer).

 

[Dana in Philly]

Wow. That's whacky. Gotta try it now....

 

[1saxman]

There is no way the tape could be under the reed and be playable. That is a great picture of Butera and his horn, BTW. I'm at a loss to explain the tape. This is maybe a stretch, but could be he was a player who shot a lot of water out to the sides between the mouthpiece and reed, and the tape cut down on the spray. He was in close quarters when performing with Prima so maybe he did this out of respect for the others.

 

[John Laughter]

"That is a great picture of Butera and his horn, BTW." 🎷

 

[soybean]

This does not answer the question about the tape but gives an excellent overview of his life for those who might not know about him.

Thanks so much John. I created a new thread with this:

Sam Butera

John Laughter posted a link to this article published June 2009 on the "Classic Las Vegas" website. I wanted to repost the information as insurance in case the other site ever goes down. It's a compilation of three different articles. Personally, I was lucky enough to see Sam play live in Vegas...

www.saxontheweb.net

 

[milandro]

in this picture it is clear that the tape (or whatever it is , didn't cover the reed)

There aren't many pictures with the mouthpiece seen from under

Sam Butera

Sam Butera circa 1960

www.imdb.com