[tedtelle1]

2 weeks on the new YAS-82Z and loving it. Tried 3 mouthpieces: Yamaha Custom that came with the sax, Meyer hard rubber #6, a Vandoren A20, all with Vandoren blue #2 reeds. Much prefer the Yamaha mouthpiece. The sax plays a lot brighter than my Cannonball VR and I wondered if there is a mouthpiece would darken the sound. Or does the mouthpiece affect it not at all. Any Custom Z players with suggestions? Thanking you in advance.

 

[Benjamin Allen]

I very much like Yamaha's Custom mouthpieces. You have tried three very different mouthpieces. I don't consider any of them overwhelmingly brilliant, but the mouthpieces you mention typically serve different roles in achieving a sound. You might try any of Selmer's offerings (save the Selmer Spirit). Or you could try the Optimum series Vandoren offers. Selmer and Vandoren have outstanding mouthpiece options.

 

[Reet McVouty]

I think you answered your own question. If you prefer the Yamaha, go with it. If it's the standard 4C then it's already a fairly dark piece. The rest is up to you to get the sound you want.

 

[tedtelle1]

I very much like Yamaha's Custom mouthpieces. You have tried three very different mouthpieces. I don't consider any of them overwhelmingly brilliant, but the mouthpieces you mention typically serve different roles in achieving a sound. You might try any of Selmer's offerings (save the Selmer Spirit). Or you could try the Optimum series Vandoren offers. Selmer and Vandoren have outstanding mouthpiece options.

It's refreshing when:
1) someone actually reads a post before responding
2) someone who responds knows what they're talking about
3) someone offers helpful advice and suggestions
You ticked all 3 boxes and I thank you for that.

 

[mijderf]

LOL your response to Benjamin Allen, makes it a bit intimidating for others to answer...but I'll try anyway. I have played a Mouthpiece Cafe Espresso, and thought that it played fairly dark. They have a 7 day return period that makes it easy to test their piece. One that I have not tried, but is advertised as dark is the Jody Jazz HR* custom dark model. I believe that Jody also has a test and return policy.

 

[KennyZ]

If you want to try some hand finished mouthpiece there are many craftsmen who make dark pieces.
You have to choose who offer a return among them and try their mouthpieces...
It seems an easy answert but this is what I would do
I also strongly suggest you to try the mouthpieces with different reeds and not only with the Blue Vandoren

 

[lydian]

In my experience, brightness is mainly a result of baffle height, but reeds also have a big effect. So look for a low baffle when you shop. Of the ones you've already tried, I would expect the Vandoren to be the brightest. Meyer is usually very tame. Slightly harder reeds should also darken it up a bit.

I played various Yamahas on and off for years precisely because of their brightness. I have to ask why even bother with the Yamaha when you already have a dark horn that you like. Or once you change your avatar, is it too late to go back? The darkest horns I've ever played were Selmer USA and Couf, if you ever want to try some different horns.

 

[KennyZ]

I would not base the brightness of a mouthpiece looking at the baffle only, there are other parametres which can bright the sound. The baffle is only one of them...

Ultimately altering the sound characteristics of an instrument beyond a certain limit is not recommended (for my experience)
You can emphasize them but not change them,
you have to "respect" the sound characteristic of the instrument, that's where it performs better
If you're looking for a dark sound you should go for a dark sounding sax and vice versa

 

[tedtelle1]

Thank you ALL for great thoughts and suggestions. It is much appreciated. I'm not attempting to make the horn dark, just less bright. (if that makes sense) mdavej, once an avatar chosen, the sax is frozen . . .:bluewink:

 

[Reet McVouty]

I played various Yamahas on and off for years precisely because of their brightness.

I have not found this to be the case. All my horns are Yamaha's and my sound certainly is not bright, especially on tenor. Equipment is not the end all when it comes to sound production. One's concept should be the main consideration, followed by the embouchure and then add in the equipment. At one time or other I've owned one of every major brand of saxophone and many different mouthpieces, other than some subtle differences my sound has always been the same.

 

[HeavyWeather77]

tedtelle1 – What general domain of music are you focusing on? Classical/symphonic/concert band, or jazz/funk/rock/pop/etc?

Like Benjamin said, if you're enjoying the Yamaha mouthpiece, there's nothing wrong at all with sticking to that for a while. If you like that piece and want a less bright sound, the most affordable and effective way to do that would be to try harder reeds. Try a 2.5 or even a 3. You should be able to have a lovely flexible sound with those reeds and a Yamaha custom mouthpiece once you've spent enough time on it.

Alternately, a larger Meyer-like piece might work well. Your Meyer 6's tip opening is really good for lead alto playing and a buzzy bebop sound. You might find more darkness and complexity if you try a 7 or an 8 from Meyer or a comparable tip opening in a Vandoren V16/Java (not jumbo) or D'addario mouthpiece. One of the Mouthpiece Cafe Meyer-like or Soloist-like pieces would be worth trying, too, if you can. A bit more expensive, but not too much more, and made by some of the best people in the business. Tons of good options out there these days!

Regardless, if I were you the first thing I'd do is try a harder reed. It might take some getting used to, but in the end you'll have more strength, flexibility, and control in your sound.

 

[lydian]

I have not found this to be the case. All my horns are Yamaha's and my sound certainly is not bright, especially on tenor. Equipment is not the end all when it comes to sound production. One's concept should be the main consideration, followed by the embouchure and then add in the equipment. At one time or other I've owned one of every major brand of saxophone and many different mouthpieces, other than some subtle differences my sound has always been the same.

I agree that most of the sound comes down to the player. But the difference between my Selmer USA and Yamaha is very stark, no matter what mouthpiece or how hard I try, I cannot get anywhere near as bright on the Selmer. It's like playing into a pillow which sucks out all the high frequencies. I can certainly darken or brighten any horn to a certain degree with technique alone, but there are limits. I'd say your Yamahas are dark because that's just how you play. The Yamaha is obviously brighter for the OP than his Cannonball. So it's not our imagination.

 

[tedtelle1]

EUREKA!!!! I went through my box of sax stuff (everybody has one, right?) and discovered I had some Vandoren green #2 reeds. Used one with the Meyer mouthpiece and WALLA, very close to the the sound I was hoping for. Just enough change to take the brightness down a notch. It was music to my ears. (horrendous pun intentional) Per a suggestion here, I'm going to try a Vandoren 2.5 in green. Again, thank you to everyone who responded.

 

[KennyZ]

Good starting point, keep experimenting with reeds

 

[Keith Ridenhour]

Yes anytime I have a student we go, reeds , lig, mouthpiece then horn in that order. Less expensive to most. And like Heavy Weather said, it really depends on the style you want. I've heard georgious tone from a yamaha 4c and stiffer reed in a concert band, and then all the possibilites of a meyer. But do you self a favor and stick with one set up for at least a couple of monthes to get adjusted to it and only change one element at a time. K

 

[Reet McVouty]

I agree that most of the sound comes down to the player. But the difference between my Selmer USA and Yamaha is very stark, no matter what mouthpiece or how hard I try, I cannot get anywhere near as bright on the Selmer. It's like playing into a pillow which sucks out all the high frequencies. I can certainly darken or brighten any horn to a certain degree with technique alone, but there are limits. I'd say your Yamahas are dark because that's just how you play. The Yamaha is obviously brighter for the OP than his Cannonball. So it's not our imagination.

Yes, I do concur, the Cannonball does have a somewhat darker tone. I have a big bell alto that I purchased in 2012 after my Yamaha (YAS-62II). It became my main alto until this past May when I bought a new neck for the Yamaha. The Cannonball has been in the closet ever since, but not really because of the tone but more for the clarity and how well the Yamaha plays in tune now. Also, one has to define what exactly is dark or bright? And, is there somewhere in-between? Now it looks like Ted has solved his dilemma by matching his mouthpiece to a reed, but that's a whole other thread...