SR Tech mouthpiece problem

[Oboe Rob]

Hey, I have been having some off and on problems with my SR tech legend piece.

Its the wierdest thing but lately its just not been playing at all. I have been using Rico Royale 3's generally on it. I know the reeds work cause by backup mouthpiece plays them fine. The SR tech piece usually works, but if I stop playing it for a few minutes and go back to it, it will not play anymore, no matter what I do to the reed. If I switch reeds, the new one works, and then the following day the first reed will work again.

Just today though, I could not get it to speak at any time, with any reed, but again my backup piece works fine.

Is there something I am doing wrong, it looks like the reed is on the mouthpiece correctly.

Anyways, Id be grateful for any advice. Thanks.

[The Martin]

Tell us, what's your backup piece.
Maybe that will lead us in the right direction.

[mattsax]

:? The Legend is a very fine mouthpiece. I use one as well. I doubt that it is the mouthpiece. What you describe could be caused by something very simple--like leaving the reed one the mouthpiece so it dries. Otherwise, my guess would be that it is an embouchure issue.

All those of us here can do is guess, though. You should take this matter up with your teacher or with a repairperson/player who can observe you play.

[DaveR]

The SR tech piece usually works, but if I stop playing it for a few minutes and go back to it, it will not play anymore, no matter what I do to the reed.

Oboe Rob
I have an SR legend too and have not experienced the problems you report; however:

At the time you find the setup does not work, have you tried pressing upon the back of the vamp of the reed whilst blowing? Does a little pressure make the setup play again?

If so, then the reeds are warping away from the table of the mouthpiece as they dry out. Do you live in a very hot / dry climate? Try soaking your reeds and see if this helps.

I have experienced this problem a lot on other mouthpieces with Hemke reeds - so I don't use them. I use Vandoren and never have the problem on alto.

If you can't find a solution, the guys at SR Tech are extremely friendly and I'm sure they would check your mouthpiece for problems, but I have to say that the polycarbonate is very unlikely to have warped - it's more likely a reed issue.
Good luck
DaveR

[Oboe Rob]

MY backup is a stock B+S piece.

I do agree its probabliby not the mouthpiece, becuase when it does play, its wonderful. So I am thinking my reeds are warping when I leave them on the mouthpiece for a short while.
I have tried pushing on the vamp to make it speak more. It does seem to help, not fully but somewhat.

I live in rural western Minnesota, the weather has been really screwed up (dry...freezing one day, hot the other), so mabye thats it.

But why they would work fine on the backup I do not know. Are Rico Royale 3's good reeds to play with this piece (I have the smaller of the 2 facings), I tried some Vandoren 3's but they seem too hard for this mouthpiece, unless my embouchure just sucks. Anyways, should I try a different type/ strength of reed?

Thanks...

[averageschmoe]

perhaps a vandoren 2 and 1/2? they work just about perfectly for me, though maybe a little lacking in the altissimo.

[mattsax]

I live in Minnesota myself, so I can empathize with your reed woes. We have the worst climate in the world for reeds, I think. You probably want something like a no. 3 Vandoren Java (not blue box Classique), although these have been hit and miss for me lately. I'm looking to try Rico Select Jazz 3S to see if they work better.

[sjabariiii]

Alexander DC worked best with the Legend when I had one for a couple weeks.

[Tim Wolfe]

why not try fibracell reeds. the weather won't affect them at all.

i've tried so many different cane reeds. they are just too hit or miss for me.

i'm now pretty set on fibracells. the consistency is wonderful. i don't have to worry about reeds anymore.

give 'em a shot. the best place to buy them is www.gigdust.com

best of luck.

[Storamin]

MY backup is a stock B+S piece.

I do agree its probabliby not the mouthpiece, becuase when it does play, its wonderful. So I am thinking my reeds are warping when I leave them on the mouthpiece for a short while.
I have tried pushing on the vamp to make it speak more. It does seem to help, not fully but somewhat.

I live in rural western Minnesota, the weather has been really screwed up (dry...freezing one day, hot the other), so mabye thats it.

But why they would work fine on the backup I do not know. Are Rico Royale 3's good reeds to play with this piece (I have the smaller of the 2 facings), I tried some Vandoren 3's but they seem too hard for this mouthpiece, unless my embouchure just sucks. Anyways, should I try a different type/ strength of reed?

Thanks...
Vanorens are normally hard compared to other reeds of the same number. Try a 2 or a 2 1/2.