DG Studio and Beechler Bellite for tenor

[Balladeer]

Anyone played both a Guardala Studio and a Beechler Bellite on tenor? I would like to read your comments and opinions on versatility, ease of playing and volume.

[sessionsax]

The Guardala studio is the best of the two pieces in my opinion. Bright, easy to blow, good low end -- but mello enough to be versatal.

The bellite works better on alto than on tenor. On tenor, it has a compact dark sound quality -- but can be bright with with right reed. IMHO it just doenst work as well for tenor as the Guardala.

[Balladeer]

sessionsax:
Thanks for your input. Two more questions, please: Is the DG Studio a very narrow mouthpiece or is it similar in exterior profile to a Link? And regarding how it feels to blow, could you say what tip opening in a metal Link would feel like the DG Studio (I'm asking this because I find that I'm most comfortable on something that blows like a Link 7)?

[sessionsax]

I would say the Guardala is more open than the 7. As for the dimensions, its wider than the beechler but a little more narrow than a link. If you have played a Dukoff, its more in that ballpark.

[Paul S]

its is defintely narrower than a link, and has a tip opening of .118 - quite a bit more open than a link 7 (.100). This increase in size is mitigated however by the high baffle. Also, the beak angle is more shallow (i.e. one plays with a more closed mouth) - this feels a little strange at first.

My primary pieces have always been metal and HR links - the studio is quite different from these, but it really didn't take much getting used to.

I got mine 2 weeks ago and haven't taken it of the cork yet. Amazingly, I can play this piece pretty dark if I put a hardish, unfiled reed like a La Voz MH or a RJS 3m on it. A 2H RJS files is much brighter. My favorite so far are the V16 3's on it. Can't wait to try the Vandoren ZZ's on it.