Mouthpiece for Keilwerth SX90R Alto

[Morry]

I'm going to be switching from my YAS-61 alto to a JK SX90R. On the Yamaha, I love the Vandoren V16 A6M, but I'm wondering how it will be on the Keilwerth when it arrives. Any thoughts? Any other suggestions for pieces on the JK?

[Markus]

I had nearly the same horn switch, from a YAS62 to SX90R. I played a Meyer on my Yamaha. But with this mpc I only got a - for me - very dark, nearly dull sound on the Keilwerth.
I experimented with different mouthpieces and found a wooden Lebayle Jazz to be the best for me. Combined with Alexander Superials and a Rovner Dark I get a very rich, round, still clear but not aggressive sound with good projection. I am very happy with it.
I think a wooden Lebayle Jazz is definitely worth a try.

[Ritchie]

I play a Meyer M7M on my JK alto, with Alexander Superials, and I would not call it too dark. It has not the brightness of a Sandborn-like tone, of course, but the Meyer has a nice complex tone with the right amount of brightness when pushed enough (i.e. played with a strong airstream). As you know for sure, the Vandoren V16 is more or less a Meyer copy. If your sound on the JK with the Meyer is too dark for your taste, experiment with different reeds. V16, Java, Rico Select Jazz and Alexander Superials are all on the brighter side, synthetic reeds are even brighter. Choose a softer size if the sound gets too stuffy and dull.

[Ritchie]

I forgot to add: Have a lot of fun with your new horn, and enjoy its full sound! :D :) :D

[singlereed]

Try th eMeyer first, I use a A6S which doesn't work that well on my JK, its almost falling off the end of the neckpipe. However, the V5 series work really well on the JK, I use a A28. Others that have been good for me are a Meyer 6M, Selmer metal classic C**, Jody Jazz 5 and now a Freddie Gregory NY 7.

[SaxColuss]

Well Morry,u can try using the JK sax jazz mp that'll cum with it.If u dun like the sound,u wanna it to be brighter and edgier,Add a baffle to the already high baffle,using a blu tac,and make a fluted chamber with it using mmmm, e.g. toothpick. jez 3 lines. and u'll notice a whole lot of difference in tone,edge and volume. combine with #2 Plasticover, it'll be great!! Trust me..hehe.. 8)

[colibri]

I switched from a Yamaha custom to an SX90. The stock JK mouthpiece (ESM) plays a lot like a vintage Brilhart Personaline. In my opinion it is the best stock piece compared to any other sax makes.

The Vandoren small chamber pieces indeed will not play in tune with the JK, unless you pull the neck out a little. The Meyer may sound a little dull since the JK is a dark horn already. A medium chamber V16, or better yet, a large chamber piece with a baffle will give you a dark plus edge kind of sound.

[Morry]

Well, if the Barone Jazz or the V16 hard rubber mpcs don't work well, I may bite the bullet and try one of Jody's new ESPs for alto.

[Morry]

I did, in fact, get the JJ ESP metal piece for my SX90R alto. My horn is a gold lacquer over nickel, and this is one powerful combination. I had been too tied up at work to play any over the last month, and I was blown away all over again playing my JK alto and ESP all day today. I can't imagine a setting where you would need more sound than comes out of this combo.