Good Mouthpieces For a Reference 54

[woodwindmaster06]

Can you guys give me some reccomendations for a Reference 54 mouthpieces, dark tone is what I'm after.

[marc]

Jody Jazz ESP is the best for me. Good combination of darkness and projection.

[Steve J.]

Morgan 9L

[woodwindmaster06]

Is the Morgan 9L more Jazz oriented or Classical oriented? I need one Jazz one Classical piece

[m3pilot]

Tenney Link! Either the hard rubber or metal Super Tone Master version. You can fine-tune the relative brightness/darkness of your tone with reed cut and strength.

[CodyW]

I get good results with a Morgan 7L on my 54 for a nice dark jazz sound.

[bsnmanrob]

I am using a SR Technoligies Tenor PRO 115. It gives me the power I need for playing R & B as well as the control for Ben Webster subtone. These mouthpieces are incredibly responsive and have unmatched intonation in comparison to the dozens I tried to fit my reference 54. Bravo SR TECHNOLIGIES!!! I have a student who uses the SR Tenor Pro on a silver Guardala Tenor as well.

[Saxophoon]

Hey everyone!

I been playing on a Ref 54 for about 2 1/2 to 3 yrs and I've found that out of all the mouthpieces I've tried I actually like th Vandoren V16 (T75)the best. Now given I am still searching for a better mouthpiece, but the V16 takes the cake so far.
My sound goals were very like yours. I wanted and still do want a very round dark sound and believe it or not the V16 gives that to me.
Now everything I've read on it says that it is a pretty bright piece and when I put it on other horns(Yamaha, Series III, Yanagisawa, etc) it is bright but when I put it on my Ref 54 it is darker then most pieces, even most Links I played on.

Now my dream piece would be a vintage FL Link I heard a guy play on with a Ref 54 that was hugely dark but right now I dont have $800 to dish out.

Give the V16 a try---I'm sure it will surprise you!

[MB-913]

Saxophoon

I have a V-16 (T-75) but this MPC sounds very spread. A good vintage FL Metal Link is a good choice to get your target sound.

But not all vintage Link sounds has same quality. Also, if you cannot pay for such price, you can consider to reface a new Link by someone - MP Heaven or Mojo Bari. Or you can try some new MPC like:

Phil Barone's Hollywood/ jazz Model
Jody Jazz - ESP (It's narrow, you may not comfortable on it)

[Saxophoon]

MB-913

It was hard for me to believe that this mouthpiece was giving me a dark tone but its true. Even friends and teachers were surprised. My teacher Ernie Krivda started me on it and he somehow knew it would sound dark and he was right.
I agree that all Links dont have the same quality and when I get my FL Link (I plan on saving up for one) I will make sure that I am getting exactly what I want for the money.
I e-mailed Doc Tenney yesterday about one of his custom HR Links so one of those might be on my horn soon.

Also I'm not sure what you mean by "spread".
If you mean a sound that just seems to go everywhere with no direction then I'd disagree, mine has a very direct and focused sound.

[Tears June]

MB-913


Also I'm not sure what you mean by "spread".
If you mean a sound that just seems to go everywhere with no direction then I'd disagree, mine has a very direct and focused sound.

There are two main types of horn sound:

1) Focus or Center
When you listen to it, the sound is comes out from the bell

2) Spread
The sound is going to a more width dimension in your playing environment.

I'm not sure if the V-16 still has this character when playing with your Ref 54. But this MPC really more spread on my Dave Guardala horn.
If your horn is a Yamaha Custom or 62, the spread sound may even more significant.

I guess most Selmer horn has very focus/center sound. You can test your V-16 on a YTS to see what happen.

However, it doesn't mean Focus is better than Spread or Spread os better
then Focus. It's depends on personal choice. Just like round & flat sound.


:cry:

[Saxophoon]

You're absolutely right and I noticed exactly what you said when I put it on a friends Yamaha(some old pro model).
I've always noticed it brighter on other horns but now that you explain this "spread" stuff it applies to them to.
Selmers usually do have a very focused sound and my setup is very focused w/ the V16 so I guess its just the amount of natural focus in the horn. Either way I love it.
Your right, its just a matter of personal choice.

[Dr G]

Is the Morgan 9L more Jazz oriented or Classical oriented? I need one Jazz one Classical piece

Most classical tenor players use a fairly close tip. I am using a .095" "C"-chamber Morgan on my Ref 36 for classical quartet. I use either that mouthpiece or a Morgan "L" .110" for jazz.

[Tears June]

Saxophoon

If you listen to Nefertiti's sound clip to play some phrasing of 'My One & Only Love" by using different MPC with his Selmer SBA. You can hear the difference is very minor - V-16, Philp Barone's Jazz model, Vintage FL Metal Link, Vintage FL Hard-Rubber Link & ESP.

Although each MPC has it's own character, some difference but playing with the SBA is very similar. However, I think if he use a Yamaha/Yana horn with the V-16 will make the difference.

PS: Really miss Nefertiti's sound, his last sound file was Secret Love & Sunny. Don't known when he will post another link to download his sound file. His make great sound & play real excellent.


:cry: