Best tenor mpc for growling, altissimo, subtones

[Chris]

Which mpc can produce easy growling, altissim, subtones.

Is it a otto link?

How important is the the sax?

[Bill Mecca]

It all depends upon the player. Some guys get great altissimo on a Link, not me, for me it's a Runyon Quantum, I also get great subtones and growl, but that's me. In general for subtones, the condition of the horn (leak free) is vital.

[Bootman]

I would recommend trying a The Martin tenor, these horns can growl, overdrive and split at very low volumes, they have a great mix of vintage and modern sound. They are also very mpc friendly.

A modern high baffle mpc on a vintage Martin tenor will give you a great contemporary RnB sound with more than enough volume to compete with electric instruments. A Guardala is a very nice choice or a Jaguar, Dukoff, Quantum, SR Tech Fusion and various others. A link is not the best choice for a contemporary sound for Funk or RnB playing unless it has been modified.

[Gregg W. Jackson]

I'm with Bootman, and I'll add that it's not just the mouthpiece, it's also the reed. I've found that the synthetics, in my case Rico Plasticover and Fibracell, have a nice buzzy sound before I even start to do creative things in my throat. But I don't like the feel of the synthetics, so I've found some natural cane reeds that have the same qualities and last through a set or two.

[paulwl]

A well-known mpc maker whose name I will not reveal just yet has designed variations on one of ther popular tenor models, adapted for Growling (Model G), Altissimo (Model A), and Subtone (Model S). They will be available in handsomely packaged collector's edition of 3. Official roll-out is scheduled for April 1.

[MojoBari]

You got me for a while. Thanks :lol:

[Todd]

For me, it's a Jody Jazz ESP. I've never been an Altissimo player, but I just started working on it recently, and it all just pops right out on the ESP. The only piece I can consistantly play Altissimo on. And the subtones come out just as easily. AS far as growling, I can get that on any piece, so I can;t tell you much there.

Just my 2 cents!

[Jazzed]

Paulwl,

I'd sure like to learn the name of mpc maker with the 3 different models you mentioned. Any chance you can tell us?

[Bootman]

The Manufacturers name is Crapon and it is called the U-Bewdy model, everything I ever wanted mate with a side salad and a set of steak knives!

[cmelodysax]

Wind-up or not, what a great idea, I'm off to engrave 'G' 'A' or 'S' on all of my old rubber mouthpieces and become an 'ebay millionaire' !!!!
Best Growler - Hard rubber Berg Larsens, 0 or 1 chamber - fine for harmonics as well. With a 'The Martin' tenor, it's a killer !
But you have to leave them on the window-sill until they become discoloured by the UV, preferably with an old skeletal lig so that you get the two-toned effect............... :D

[paulwl]

Jazzed: I'd sure like to learn the name of mpc maker with the 3 different models you mentioned.
Jazzed, April has come a little early for you this year. :wink:

[Captain Beeflat]

cmelodysax,....... by engraving G.A.S. on your old mouthpieces you describe Gear Aquisition Syndrome suffered by all of us who own more than six mouthpieces.

[J.Max]

A well-known mpc maker whose name I will not reveal just yet has designed variations on one of ther popular tenor models, adapted for Growling (Model G), Altissimo (Model A), and Subtone (Model S). They will be available in handsomely packaged collector's edition of 3. Official roll-out is scheduled for April 1.

Don't say things like this. There are certain, shall we say, unscrupulous mouthpiece vendors who will get ideas!:twisted:

[Captain Beeflat]

To answer Chris's initial question seriously. It should be possible, with varying degrees, to produce subtones, altissimo, and growling on any decent mouthpiece. The best that I have found (& hopefully the end of my GAS) is an 8* Colletto of the 1950s.

[wersax]

The responses here should be clear indication of how personal the sax/horn/reed/lig combination is. Ultimately, through trial and error, you'll have to figure out what works for you. Having said that, I believe you can produce good growls, screaming altissimo and lush subtones on most any set-up if you/re used to it. For me personally, I find that a moderately open piece (8*-9), with a long facing and a medium baffle, (i.e., Berg xxx/2), and a mediumish reed (2 1/2) works well on my MK VI. But that's me, not you.....

[JL]

As most of these responses suggest, it's much more down to the mpc than the horn. And of course, the player most of all.

[blackfrancis]

Probably the most important factor. It's not just how well you do these things, but also when and how much. Nuance is such a cool thing when it's done right!

[JL]

Probably the most important factor. It's not just how well you do these things, but also when and how much. Nuance is such a cool thing when it's done right!

You know, I don't think this is pointed out often enough! There is nothing worse than overusing the altissimo range (OK maybe Lenny Pickett gets away with it; there are always exceptions). One or two well-placed screaming altissimo notes will be much more effective than a constant barrage of super-high notes. And don't neglect the lower register!

[wersax]

You know, I don't think this is pointed out often enough! There is nothing worse than overusing the altissimo range (OK maybe Lenny Pickett gets away with it; there are always exceptions). One or two well-placed screaming altissimo notes will be much more effective than a constant barrage of super-high notes. And don't neglect the lower register!
I appreciate your point, and I can think of numerous examples of obnoxious altissimo playing, but I think the use or overuse of the altissimo register hinges upon how well you play it and how well what you play fits into the music you're playing at the time. And anyone that plays the upper register at the expense of the lower register is doing it all wrong, IMHO. You've got to have the lower register going for the rest of the horn (especially the tenor!) to sound right. That's why overtones are so important. You've got to get the bottom end going before you get the upper register together.........

[Martinman]

I would recommend trying a The Martin tenor, these horns can growl, overdrive and split at very low volumes, they have a great mix of vintage and modern sound. They are also very mpc friendly.

A modern high baffle mpc on a vintage Martin tenor will give you a great contemporary RnB sound with more than enough volume to compete with electric instruments. A Guardala is a very nice choice or a Jaguar, Dukoff, Quantum, SR Tech Fusion and various others. A link is not the best choice for a contemporary sound for Funk or RnB playing unless it has been modified.

My setup (63 The Martin, Dukoff D7, Olegiture, Java 3) give awsome subtones and growls. The altisimo is definately there, but I am still working on the overtones and stuff to get it. With the high baffle pieces though, be sure to watch for intonation issues. I had to make a funky pvc pipe shank extender for my dukoff to make it go on the neck far enough.

[Bill Mecca]

just gotta ask, you guys know this thread is 3 years old right? ;-)

[wersax]

just gotta ask, you guys know this thread is 3 years old right? ;-)
Not any more.............:)