Step-up mouthpiece

[Lmatt]

I recently bought a new Yamaha Custom Z tenor and am using the standard 4c mouthpiece that came with it. However, I am not happy with my tone. I am a senior in high school and am looking for something that will last me throughout college. I would like the mouthpiece to be versatile enough to play both jazz and classical. I have been considering a Myer or Selmer s-80. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[sjabariiii]

more emphasis on jazz, less on classical: morgan L, tenney HR link

more emphasis on classical: morgan 3c.

no such thing as a 'step up mouthpiece,' go right for the best.

[MojoBari]

I would consider "step up" pieces to be sized between the needs of a student and a pro. For classical, there is not much of a spread. Sometimes it is lower cost than a pro piece, but not always. The cost is in the workmanship, not the size.

It does seem silly to spend thousands of dollars on a new sax and then cut corners on a mouthpiece.

[Lmatt]

I agree that there may not be a step-up type of mouthpiece. My reason for using those words was to inflect the price range. I didn't want to spend hundreds on a mouthpiece. However, the Links look like good mpcs. Are there any problems with the size of the cork on the yamaha neck being to small? Thanks for the suggestion!

[Herb]

Try the Bamber mouthpieces.

[Sigmund451]

Simply because it disconnects and is interchangable it becomes far too easy to think of your mouthpiece as an accessory. It is not, it is your instrument. You, your mouthpiece, and your reed shape and basically determine everything else that follows. So break out the piggy bank and buy the best you can get and try a lot of them (best is not always = to most costly).

Start by asking what type of tone you want, what sound qualities appeal to you, then ask the question again. There are many excellent choices. One size does not fit all and you have not really provided enough information. It can be a long but rewarding experiment to find what your looking for. If you want something to last you through college you owe it to yourself to investigate thoroughly.