Vandoren S-35 Mouthpiece

[Angle Tears]

Is there anybody using S-35 Vandoren Mouthpiece for their soprano? How's the sound - Bright, dark, warm, rich? Easy to handle and worthy to buy?

[Anonymous]

I had one for a few months last year. Not sure if it was me or the mouthpiece, but I couldn't get it play in tune across the range of my WW&BW soprano. I'm playing one of the BARI mpcs now, and I don't have any insurmountable intonation problems. I'm also awaiting the arrival of Yanagisawa hard rubber mpc.

[kevinm]

I've had mine on a Yamaha 475 now for about 6 months and I love it! Of course the only thing that I have to compare it to is the stock Yamaha mouthpiece which came with my soprano. Compared to that it is much more open and richer sounding. The stock mouthpiece was very nice but very stuffy sounding.
I play in a praise band at church every other Sunday. I can still remember the first Sunday I played with the S-35 people commented on how much nicer I sounded ( I didn't tell them I switched mouthpieces either)!

[Angle Tears]

kevinm, Mike R.

Thanks. Could you please descript how's the sound of your S-35? Is it a bright or dark sound MP?

[kevinm]

Well....to be honest with you I have never really understood what people mean by bright or dark. It is certainly much louder than before and not stuffy/raspy sounding. I guess that makes it bright? It cuts through the sound in an ensemble setting whereas before I had to make sure and play right into the microphone to compete with the bass and lead guitar.
I hope that helps somewhat....

[Anonymous]

I'd describe the sound as moderately dark and round, with a little bit of edge when pushed, like most hard rubber mpc.s

[c.c]

email me if you're interested.

[Angle Tears]

I just got this S-35, nice piece! I tried SJ, Hemke & Java. The best combination for me is Java reed with this MP. Ligature is either ,Rovner or Vandoren Optimum.

[Anonymous]

So how would you describe the sound?

[super20dan]

mike -when you get that yani mpc you wont care about how a vandoreen plays or sounds. only reason i switched to something else is the 5 was too open for me but it had every else going for it

[Anonymous]

I know... I already sold off a Vandoren S35 in favor of my current BARI mpc. But I am expecting the Yani to work even better. I should get it this week - hope I'm not disappointed, but I doubt I will be. I've pretty well figured out what I like in a mpc by now.

Back on topic: Even though I sold off my S35, I still think they're excellent mpcs. It just didn't work as well for me as some others. I don't expect everyone to have the same preferences.

[Angle Tears]

Mike R.

For me, S-35 sound rich, brillance but not too much edge, just at the right pitch. It also sounds thick enough mand easy to hanlde. Strange, it sound better for my ear than Selmer Super Session

I will consider it is a middle price solution if don't want to spend too much moeny. .

[uCtaudio]

I use the Vandoren S-35 w/optimum on my Unison curved soprano on my tune "in the Woods" on mp3.com.

http://www.mp3.com/erlend_bratlie/

I like it a lot, it can be very loud and "in your face" (hard reed) or sweet and tender (softer reed) or just plain brilliant!!! (whit the right setup...) It can be a little hard to control in the beginning....

uCtaudio

[Tears June]

uCtaudio

I've listened to In the Woods. You made nice sound but a bit too bright & over brilliance for me. I also use Vandoren S-35 with Optimum on my YSS-875S, reed is SJ 2 hard filed for Optimum plate #2. For plate #1, i use Java 2.5.

I consider Plate #1 gives more rich tone and plate #2 are more compact, center sound.

:cry:

[Saxdude]

Just noticed the posts after posting about a martin sop (yani stencil) that came with the s-35. I usually have used a otto link tone edge 5 facing since I like the ability to play real loud or soft with the same mouthpiece (like the java a45)

Personally, the s35 was hard to control when trying to play soft, but had a bit more volume... :shock: (over the link) when pushed. Not my mouthpiece of choice - perhaps I'll try a softer reed...

[smoothjazztenor]

I'm reviving this thread after 5 years...man

I've tried the Vando S35 with a LA Sax curved sop many years ago. Was inspired by Kim Waters. At that time I found the opening a little bigger than I can handle. But the mpc allowed me to push through a substantial amt of air w/o overblowing. And it sounded good with my curved sop.

But after I sold the horn...I sold the mpc too.

Now after about 3 years....I've finally gotten hold of another S35. This time I'm using it on my Mark VI sop.

The 'feel' certainly differs from the time when I was using the curved sop. I feel that this piece really sounds nice! It gives me an open sound which is exactly the opposite of the oboe-ish tone I get out of my Soloist-style E (think of Kenny Garrett on sop). It has a very 'smooth' sound.

Interesting point to note: it allows me to put in more air....than I would put into my Soloist E...but the tone produced doesn't sound 'airy'.

Try it with Vandoren V16 #2 reeds. This mpc is a serious contendar for an open/broad sop sound suitable both for jazz and pop.