JODY OR RUNYON???

[FOREVERBFC]

I am having a little trouble here trying to decide which mpc to go with, and also weather or not to go with metal or hr. :?


What would be the benifit of going with metal compared to HR. What about the Runyon Jaguar?


I am looking at the Jody jazz alto sax mpc, or the comparable runyon, don't know exactly which model. I don't know much about the runyon line at all. I have had a JJ and thier great. I would appreciate any help concerning this matter. Thanks in advance.

[sopsax]

It's said that alto players generally tend to favor HR, while tenor players favor metal.

I've played on the Runyon Custom Jazz and the JodyJazz. The Runyon gives good dynamic control throughout the range -- the Jody blows freer and sings out a bit more. Both are fine mouthpieces -- the Jody might be preferable for extroverts who don't want to work quite as hard. Dunno about the Runyon Jaguar, never tried it.

I have tried the Jody ESP, Jody's new gold-plated brass alto mouthpiece. To my ear (or in my chops) it produces an edgy, contemporary sound -- if that's what you want. At $330, it seemed kinda pricey for a very modest improvement over the JodyJazz. That's just me, however -- many other SOTW members love the ESP. Email Jody with your specific questions -- he answers inquiries personally.

As to the many other Runyon alto pieces -- there's a lot to choose from, and unfortunately the Runyon website is scanty on photos and mouthpiece info. For a louder, edgier, metal-like (yet plastic) piece, many players dig the Quantum. I'm curious to try one myself. See if the Runyon folks will send you two or three pieces on trial. They're nice people with a commitment to customer service. When you contact them, be sure to pay your respects: founder and mouthpiece guru Santy Runyon passed away recently.

[MojoBari]

It used to be that certain design features were difficult to find in non-metal mouthpieces: slim shapes, high baffles, small chambers, etc. Because metals typically had these features (I'm no talking Links here), most players think of metal as bright. I think, if anything, the opposite is true. Metal is has a little darker sound. I've gotten this opinion from playing several mouthpieces with similar physical dimensions in different materials: RIAs, Runyon Quantums, Selmers, Bergs.

Nowadays, I think the only reason to go to metal is that you perceive some kind of vibe, sound, or feeling from it. I think a good strategy is to first explore the hard rubber and plastic MPs. They are easier on your budget to purchase and are also less expensive to get hand faced. A hand faced HR piece will be a similar cost to a factory metal piece. The hand faced HR piece is a better value.

The standard Jody Jazz is based on the Runyon Custom. Both are made at the Runyon factory. There is a slight difference in the facing curve which makes a difference in the sound. Some think it is a huge difference, others can not tell any. I think it is very subtle. The difference is similar to what you would get in making a ligature change.

JJs cost more, but what you get is better quality control. Jody play tests each piece and sends back any clunkers to Runyon. The JJ also has a better ligature, a Rovner, but you can buy them seperately.

Runyon also makes several other models to choose from. But the Custom Spoiler or Jody Jazz Spoiler is a good place to start.

[FOREVERBFC]

Just wanted to thank you for your replys on this matter.


I've had a Berg Metal mpc before and didn't really like it. It blew too freely and didn't give much control. The spacing was 102/5 I think :roll: , I don't know where that matches up with either of these brands, but I don't want it to be the same story as the Berg. I kinda prefer HR MPC's because of this. Thanks again for the replys. :D

[MM]

Maybe you mean 105/2? There's no such thing as a "102" or a "/5" in the Berg Larsen line. This would mean a tip opening of .105", which is very large for an alto sax mouthpiece. This may be causing most of your problems. In the Runyon Custom or Jody Jazz line, try around a 6 or 7 for starters, maybe up to an 8. Hope this helps.

[Subtone Sam]

I've had few Runyons and all of them have been well made mpcs,even rails and tables.Some of them may LOOK rough but they are not,in my experience.I have couple of Jags here now and they are both very well finished and beautiful mouthpieces and they play great.

[brickboo]

Alto players like darker because the alto is already very brite by itself. I can listen to Gordon, Coltrane, Stitt, Rollins etc all night on Tenor. No problem.

I really like Cannonball Adderly and David Sanborn at the opposite side of the spectrum. But I have to admit, the alto wears thin to my ears after a while. I know the Tenors cost more and are a bit harder to play, but I recommend switching if your desire is the combo solo player. In a big band if you like alto that's fine.

Try the Runyon Metal Quantum with the spoiler for tenor for a lot less than Jody Jazz. Send for and try both and see if you think Jody Jazz is worth twice as much as the Runyon. If you are convinced that you should pay twice as much for the Jody Jazz, let us know. I will try one also. But I don't see how it can blow any easier and subtone and do altissimo much better to want twice as much money. I was going to try one until I saw how much they want for them. I play a #10.

I'm a happy Metal Runyon Quantum with spoiler owner for my Buescher 400 Tenor. I had a Selmer MarkIV that was stolen in the sixtes out of a club I played in New Orleans. I couldn't afford another Selmer so I bought the Buescher 400 for $475 at a going out of business sale. I'm mentioning this because I remember the Selmer blowing subtone much easier at the time. The Buescher is quite a bit harder and the #10 Runyon I play now is the only mouthpiece that I can accomplish the altissimo and subtones with this horn. Other mouthpieces I've tried I had to blow very hard to hit the low Bb. I couldn't hit it soft at all. I can with the Runyon. I don't know why. All I know is it works.

[Paul Coats]

FOREVERBFC, Runyon has so many models, for every nitch... so my question is, what type of music do you play, what kind of sound do you want?