True Tone Alto mouthpiece comparison

[k_navi]

Hey, I have just gotten my True Tone back from the shop and due to problems with money, I cant play test every single mouthpiece that I want.

I have heard good things about the Morgan 3C but I was wondering what mouthpiece do you guys play for a more edgier jazz sound.

Thanks

[Roger Aldridge]

How much edge are you looking for?

[Dave Dolson]

Meyer 6S-Medium Chamber, Meyer 7M-Small Chamber, Selmer Soloist F. DAVE

[k_navi]

Fast replies..

Well thanks for the suggestions Dave.

Roger, Im looking for a little bit more than the 3C but no way near Charlie Parker. I have heard many things about the True Tone being a classical horn and I wanna know what combinations worked better for you guys in jazz situations.

[awholley]

A Morgan L or EL would probably work well.

[Roger Aldridge]

As far as I'm concerned the classical label that some folks give to the TT is just that....a "label". Trust me, a TT can wail and soar with the best of them. Listen to some recordings of Arthur Blythe if you want to hear a really modern guy getting Out on a TT.

The 3C doesn't have much edge to speak of but that's exactly why I love it for jazz playing. It's sound is big, fat, round, and lush -- different from the overly bright & edgy tenor sound that one hears everywhere. I like this difference. It gives a more personal identity to my sound. It's important to understand that not all Morgan 3C mouthpieces are identical. I went through several of them before I found the one that I consider to be a truly exceptional piece. It has plenty of power for big band playing. Then, I have another 3C that has different qualities. I asked Ralph to tweak it so it will have more of a cello-like tenor sound for playing in a classical saxophone quartet. Cello is what I asked for...and CELLO is what I got. It has a stunningly beautiful sound. But, it's not for big band. So, like I said, not all 3Cs are the same.

If a touch of edge is what does it for you, then I'd suggest a Morgan 5L. It also has a big, lush sound. But, the 5L has just enough baffle to give it a bit more edge and bite than a 3C. You also might want to check out a Morgan 5EL (Excalibur large chamber). It has exactly the same baffle & chamber design as a L model but the EL has very thin chamber walls. This enables the mouthpiece to have a big sound of a large chamber piece and the easy blowing quick response of a medium chamber. It's a powerful mouthpiece. It's a touch brighter than the L model....but, still on the dark side.

Hope this helps.

Roger

[Dave Dolson]

I play only jazz on mine - 1920's style. DAVE

[super20dan]

runyon custom works great on the tru-tone

[k_navi]

I have just tried the 3C... Wow.. I found THE piece. I found it that it also works well in a jazz environment and keeps the saxophone sounding pure and not a fake sound from different baffles and stuff.

Thanks for all the comments

[JL]

As far as I'm concerned the classical label that some folks give to the TT is just that....a "label". Trust me, a TT can wail and soar with the best of them. Listen to some recordings of Arthur Blythe if you want to hear a really modern guy getting Out on a TT.

Hey thanks for pointing this out Roger. It is so true!

I've been using an Otto Link Tone Edge 7 on my TT alto that I just got overhauled. The only other decent mpc I've tried on it is a Jody Jazz, but the Link seems to have a fuller, richer tone. I'm starting to get curious about the Morgan, but I'm wondering what folks think about the HR Link on a TT. I've tried plenty of mpcs on my tenor, but not many on the alto.

[SactoPete]

JL,

Funny you mention the link and the Runyon custom... The two pieces I use on my '27 TT alto are a Link STM 7 and a JodyJazz HR 8. Very similar but a little different than what you mention. The Jody plays much better than the Link, but I use the Link cause I like the sound quite a bit better for jazz - it has a "messier" (smoky? woody? Not really brighter or darker per se, just different to my ears, more complex) sound that works for me. The Jody is a real pleasure to play response-wise but the sound is very pure on the TT for me and pretty boring. With the spoiler in it just sounds a little more piercing, not really pleasant. I also have a Berg 75/0 that I've been messing with but isn't quite there (and I can't get the dang thing to stop squeaking, even with a fibracell and ligature changes), and an Ebolin that's quite nice but I cracked the shank and half-melted the thing in the microwave (long story of stupidity on my part... don't ask... but I um "refaced" it since it was junk, and it actually plays kinda-sorta OK now. Listen to my take of "Summertime" on my website to hear what a half-melted and cracked Ebolin sounds like refaced by someone who has no clue what he's doing).

Pete