mpc for sx90 bari?

[justbari]

My Berg 105/1 sounds really buzzy and virtually every note is about 20-30 cents sharp. Palm notes are almost in tune though. The mpc is almost off the neck. If anyone could help me narrow the list of pieces to try out I'd really appreciate it. What I'm looking for is a large vintage type sound. Not too bright...


thanks

[Morry]

I'm not sure how the bari pieces would be, but I really like my Ponzol metal on my JK tenor. It's the II-V-I model (don't make a bari version), but you might inquire about the M1 model, or the HR custom.

Barone metal pieces are also darker, which you might construe as "vintage".

[Ritchie]

20-30 cents sharp while the palm notes are almost in tune would suggest you push your mouthpiece in much MUCH more!

See it this way: the palm notes are flat relative to the low notes. Moving the mouthpiece in and out has a greater effect on high notes with a short air column than on low notes with their long air column.

Try to push in your mouthpiece until all notes are sharp for about the same number of cents. Then relax your embouchure until you're in tune. I also suggest you read Paul Coats' article about Santy Runyon's mouthpiece exercise (find it here: http://www.saxontheweb.net/Coats/tone_production.html).

Looking for a "vintage" sound I'd suggest you try a mouthpiece with a large chamber and a low baffle. I use an Otto Link hard rubber #8 on my SX90 bari which gives my a full but not too bright sound. I found Meyers to be less bright on bari than Otto Links, or you may want to try a Jody Jazz without the spoiler.

[justbari]

Pushed the mouthpiece in much more which brought the notes more relatively in tune. My embouchure is as loose as can be, I've got plenty of mpc in my mouth but everything (but palm notes) are still 30-40 cents sharp. I'll have to try a bunch of mouthpieces and see what happens. Large chamber low baffle for sure...

thanks for the help

[Ritchie]

Just another idea, sorry for asking such a stupid thing, but are you sure your Berg is a bariton mouthpiece, and not for tenor? I cannot offer any other ideas via internet, let another bari player, your teacher or the guys in the music shop (if they are more than just salesmen) have a look at your horn/setup/problem, maybe something obvious can be found.

[justbari]

It's definitely a baritone mouthpiece. Not a problem there. I think it's because it's a small chamber. The baffle doesn't help either. I don't think it's the sax's set up either because the action is set pretty high. I'm bringing it in to have it adjusted so I'll ask them what the problem might be. I did notice that the neck is about an inch shorter than the old sax I used to use but that seems to be pretty standard for low A baris.

I'm pretty sure a large chamber/low baffle mouthpiece should do the trick. All I've got to do is make a trip to a shop with lots of mouthpieces in stock and give some a try.

[Subtone Sam]

check out the RPC bari mpcs.

[Kosma]

I'm playing a Morgan 8J on a Buescher aristocrat bari. It's large chamber and low baffle. Worth checking out.

[Subtone Sam]

Lawtons work very well with Keilwerths.If you want more trad. like sound,try P chambers,metal or HR.LaVoz reed works great with Lawtons.

[justbari]

Well, I found a temporary solution to the sharpness problem. I borrowed the neck from the old student sax I was using (it's a full inch longer than my JK neck) and it brings everything back to normal. All notes more or less in tune (+/- 5 cents) and the palm notes are a little flat. Sounds pretty good too... Still would like to find a mpc that works with the stock neck though. I'm off to try some this weekend...


justbari

[Randall]

I'm having great luck with a Yani metal #8 with 2 1/2 Alexanders.
The Runyon Quantum Spoiler in metal is also proving to be an incredibly good piece, but I need more time with it....

[justbari]

Problem solved. After trying about a dozen mouthpieces I landed on a Lebayle hard rubber. Very consistent, great sound, lots of power and great intonation from top to bottom. Links were wonky, Berg ebonite was less wonky, Lawton's were superb!! I will buy a Lawton for this horn when I have the coin but I'm VERY happy with the Lebayle.

thanks to everyone for the suggestions,
justbari