Alexander DC Vs. Vandorean ZZ Vs. Rico Select Jazz Filled

[Sexyhombre812]

I've playes Sax for about 4 years now, But have been using a standard Rico reed all this time and I think its about time to upgrade. I was just wondering which one of these Jazz reeds are the best. Im loking for a Charlie Parker Like sound (which is slightly dark) for one Setup and another I want to have a sort of Mindi Abair sound.

I'm also planning to buy this Mp and ligature, Any suggestions would help

MP-Meyer Metal Jazz Alto Sax Mouthpiece 6J
Lig- Vandoren optimum ligature (also play in concert band and like the 3 plate thing)

Any other setups are welcome

Thx alot

[Chris S]

Hey,

Check out a little further down the page. IMHO, Alexander's are the way to go, but I played the Rico Selects for a lot of years. I worked at a music store for a while, and got my hands on a few boxes of the ZZ reeds (thank you D'Addario for the free boxes btw) and I really like them, but I still waiver between the V16 and the ZZ reeds. Overall I think that Alexanders are the best reeds that money can buy, you can read a letter that I sent to Tom Alexander http://saxontheweb.myforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=16917 at that URL.

Chris

[Vortex]

Make sure you try them out before you buy them, don't just order something thinking it will help you. Meyers are typically pretty good mouthpieces, but check it out before you buy as it may have some kind of defect (which many do). Don't rule out the hard rubber Meyers as they're good too. I think the Vandoren Optimum is an excellent ligature that you really can't go wrong with, but I've used a Rovner Dark for a long time and passed some really tough auditions with it. It's about personal preference, they're both good, but I've settled on the Optimum recently.

As for reeds, try them all and see what you think, nobody can tell you what will work for you. Don't just buy one box, buy a few, and in different strengths. It's worth it to splurge because that's the only way you'll find your "ideal" setup. I find RJS' to be somewhat akin to Javas, but with more thickness. ZZ's are quite playable but vary tonally - some are really bright, some are rather buzzy/husky. Javas are tonally consistent but not as responsively consistent as ZZ's. DC's are just right for me, with Javas being a close second. By the way, I always felt Parker's tone was on the brighter side, but then we can't objectively evaluate tones very well given the recording equipment that existed so many decades ago. I'd suggest a HR Meyer (probably 5, 6, or 7) and some Javas for you, a rather common setup that works well for a lot of people. Also check out the Vandoren V16 mouthpieces, they're similar to Meyers but much more consistent with fewer defects.

[OOlufoks]

I'll say try all three brands, although it may cost you some money. I have been using Alexander DC #2.5 and #3 for my tenor, they sound great but seem to lack projection. I then switched to a RJS #2 med-filed, and it had the projection and warmth, but a little less resistant. I am going to try the RJS #2 H-filed. I use a JJ ESP 7* MP.
With my good experience with the tenor, I decided to try the same for my soprano. The RSJ filed #2 med and #3 soft performed horribly with both my 0.65 JJ ESP and the #8 Runyon custom . In fact I often get middle G when I try to play low G. I have since gone back to the Lavoz and Alexander DC #3.
Again, what works for one does not work for all, you just have to experiment with your set-up.