What MPs do you play on the Super 20 Silver Sonic Tenors?

[hangman]

I am curious to find out how your sound changes with the SilverSonic vs. some other horns since the bell and neck are sterling silver. Is a brass or metal MP, too harsh for your tastes?

I am still trying to figure out what MP has power but more warmth for this particular horn. Lets hear what works for you.

Also, does the right thumb rest bug anyone and have any of you had it moved up closer to the trill key?

[tsax88]

Hangman,
I played a Berg HR 120/1 for nearly 20 years. I'm now playing on an RPC 120 which is also a hard rubber with Rigotti Gold 2.5m reeds. Basically my Berg was worn out so I set out on my search. Began with a new Berg Larsen but the new ones just didn't have the same ease of blowing and control. Tried alot of different makes of mouthpieces that just didn't play well. Decided to give RPC a try. The first one Ron sent me wasn't quite right for the horn. After describing better what I needed from the mp, Ron was able to make one that plays very well. Lots of power with a bit more centered sound.

And yes, I've thought about getting the thumb hook re-positioned but never have gotten around to it.

[hangman]

Has anyone played a Jody Jazz ESP on the SilverSonic?
Curious how they compare with Bergs, Lawtons and Ponzols.

How much would moving the thumb rest change the value of the horn?

I have seen some aftermarket thumb rests from Sax Alley and Peter Ponzol. Could these be put on this horn?

[addissax]

Many of the south Louisiana players use Super 20's...many also use
Brilhart MP's with Rovner lig. Much depends on the style you play, the
tone you are looking for, and your ability. I use a Brilhart level aire #9,
Rovner Eddie Daniels II lig, and Bari* hard reed...works for me.

I use an old Berg HR 105/1 and a Rico 3 1/2 reed on my Alto Silver Sonic. I tried a metal Link for a while but I keep going back to my Hard Rubber. Haven't found anything I like better yet. Gives me a bright forceful sound with a little edge...It's good for the R&B and Rock I have been playing lately.

[larry]

I have a wonderful 388xxx Silversonic tenor that my Daddy bought me when I was a high-schooler in '73. I play a Meyer Medium MPC with Rico 2 1/2s (same mouthpiece since the 70s). Had it overhauled last year at Rayburns in Boston - Dan (the woodwind man) was thrilled to be working on it (he acted thrilled anyways!)

Should I be looking at some of these new-fangled MPCs I keep reading about here on SOTW (Jodys, Runyons, etc.) or do you folks favor the "if it works for you stay with it" school?

Thanks for any advice you can offer!
Larry

(P.S. - you can see a pic of the horn on our band site: http://users.rcn.com/sambossa/pics/dave_larry.jpg)

[Mike Ruhl]

Should I be looking at some of these new-fangled MPCs I keep reading about here on SOTW (Jodys, Runyons, etc.) or do you folks favor the "if it works for you stay with it" school?Larry - my dad bought my Super 20 tenor for me while I was in high school back in '74. My first real mouthpiece was a Meyer 8M that I got because the lead tenor player in the jazz band also played one. That mouthpiece didn't work espeically well on my horn - it was incurably sharp in the palms. So later that year I got a metal Link 7* (again, Dad got it for me, for my birthday). I've had that mouthpiece ever since.

I'm of the "if ain't broke" school, but after finding this forum a couple of years ago, I decided to try a few different mouthpieces. I kept coming back to my trusty old metal Link, just because it was familiar and comfortable. Recently, though, I tried a Hite Artist model hard rubber, and I like it a lot. It plays the way I always wanted that old Meyer 8M to play. But I still say, if it ain't broke...

btw, I also put the horn away for about twenty years while I got my degree and started my career and family. I dusted it off about 4 years ago.

[Dweeg]

Well, I have a Ponzol 120 M2 metal that I used on a 488xxx silver sonic once and it sounded great....ppp subtones and loud fff high stuff no problem. i am getting one that's a little bit earlier (375xxx) so we'll see how it goes. Btw, although I am really happy with this mouthpiece, I find that there is an enormous amount of inconsistency within all makes/models. You just have to try a slew of em til you find one you like. Also, I know this sounds weird, but check out the hard rubber Jumbo Java, you may be surprised. I know I was.

[super20dan]

one of the best things about the super20 tenor is that it isnt mpc sensitive. pretty much any mpc works well. but my favorite for r&b work is still a good metal berg (0 of course!)