Compare Tenor Custom with Jaguar?

[Brice B.]

Can anyone give a comparison to the two pieces? Also, what sizes seem to work well?

[Spidercomrade]

I'm relatively uneducated when it comes to mouthpieces, but I thought maybe this website would help you out.

http://www.runyonproducts.com/images/chart1.gif

[morgan]

Didn't try on tenor; but on alto the Jaguar has easier response; and is significantly brighter and more piercing compared to the Custom.

[JL]

I have played and tried a number of different tenor mpbs. So far, the Jaguar is my favorite. It may be brighter than the Custom (don't know for sure since I haven't played a custom), but it is still plenty dark and complex, with a wonderful tone quality. I have recently been trying a metal Quantum, which is louder, brighter, and much more piercing than the Jaguar. For now I've gone back to the Jag because I prefer it's superior tone quality. Also the Jag plays equally well on my MK 6 and Aristocrat.

All this is simply to say you should give the Jag a try.....I don't think you can go wrong with it.

[singlereed]

I just picked up a Custom Spoiler and a Jaguar for tenor, both no 7 facing which seems about right for my playing. Both really nice playing pieces, the Custom is really 'in your face', very dynamic and powerful and plays really easily with a no 2 Vandoren reed, considerably softer than I usually use, maybe this particular reed was a hard example? The Jag is more laid-back, a very warm and relaxed jazz sound, but with lots of power in the top range, so much so that I needed to adjust my playing as those notes were popping out. One problem with the Jag is that it only needs to go 1/2 " on to the neck of my Mark VI to play in tune - I'd prefer it to be a bit more secure. I'm using a no 3 Marca Jazz reed on the Jag at the moment, using the Rovner lig that came with it, and using a BG clarinet metal lig on the Custom.

I used to have a Jody Jazz (no 8) and ESP (.100) but sold them a while back as they were not getting used much at the time. The Custom is closely related to the JJ though I think the slightly more closed 7 facing of the Custom suits me better. Whilst the ESP and Jag lool like they came from the same basic blank and look identical outside, the Jag has a small round chamber with a higher grooved baffle and thicker rails than the ESP. For me, the Jag plays easier but I have to say I do not tend to get on so well with large chambered mouthpieces like the ESP and I do not consider myself a tenor specialist.

So, two nice pieces for the arsenal, both bought mint and much cheaper than new price and I am pleased to have them.

[Paul Coats]

For alto, most players, about 50%, like the Runyon 7, or other brand mouthpieces of about that tip opening (.078"). About an equal number of players like the 6 and 8 facings, with fewer still playing 5 and 9. It is a very steep bell curve.

For tenor and bari, for younger players, age 13-18 (in the US, "high school" age) most players like the Runyon 7 (.090"), or similar size in other brands.

More experienced players (college to adult), tenor and bari sax players prefer tip openings about .100. For the Runyons, that is an 8 (.098" tenor, .101" bari), with fewer chosing 7 and 9. Same steep bell curve.

These sizes are from my personal observation, over many years, by hundreds, perhaps thousands of players, when they are given a chance to test mouthpieces in a variety of facing sizes. I have run these numbers by the folks at Runyon, J.J. Babbit (who make Meyer, Link, and other popular mouthpieces), and teachers and players, and they agree that this is their observation, too.

These sizes are for general playing. Classical players generally play narrower tip openings, with harder reeds. Rock & Roll, or R&B players generally play larger tip openings.

I don't mean this to sound like a "one size fits all" situation, far from it. But when I send out mouthpieces for trial, I start with a 7 for alto, and an 8 for tenor or bari. And about 50% of the time, these sizes satisfy the player. Some want to try a little smaller or larger, and may or may not end up with those other sizes.

Hopefully this gives you a starting point, regardless of what brand or model you try.

[singlereed]

Paul, I am sure you are right about the facings most people prefer; I have found I like them one or two facings more closed than most people, probably because I am primarily a classical player, albeit a serious amateur; adjusting to a more open piece seems to demand too much change in my embouchure and my intonation goes pear-shaped, also I don't really like to have too many different reed types to keep going. So, I have a Runyon/JJ 5 or 6 for alto and sop, 7 on tenor, 8 on Bari - each case 1 or two grades less than your typical person!