JodyJazz Standard vs ESP for Tenor

[Ctenorman]

Hey guys. I recently got two of Jody's pieces, both #8s for alto and soprano, and I can't say enough good about the two of them. They have changed the way I play the instruments completly. So now I'm thinking of outfitting my tenor with one. Here I have a bit more of a decision between the ESP and the standard. I often double on tenor, and I hate it when metal mouthpieces get cold and go out of tune. Also, I'm a university student, so I'm not exactly rich. What I'm curious about is a comparison between the two pieces by those who have tried them. If the ESP is really way better, then I'll save up and happily buy one. But if the standard sounds very close, then that would be great. I have only the standard model of the alto and soprano, and I can't imagine how they could possibly be any better. Thanks in advance for you comments,

Scott

[Eulipion2]

Ctenorman, I just got a JJ plastic, as well, and I'm having reed troubles. What kind of reeds do you use?
Thanks

[Brian]

CTenorman, I have a JJ #9 for alto and have owned a ESP. ON Alto I found the regular JJ to be a more present and powerful piece. I typically play mine with the spoiler in. But in or out, I personally got more guts and tone from the JJ. The ESP on my set up was rather smokey ... not as concentrated a sound.

Jody is great to deal with, and will let you return what you dont dig though ... so blow one and see what YOU think. Its really the only way.

[Ctenorman]

Eulipion2, you're probably going to laugh at this, but I use regular Legere reeds. I've ordered the new Studio Cut, but they're not here yet. Most people (from what I've heard) find the standard Legeres unsuitable for jazz sax, but I think they're the greatest thing since sliced bread on my saxes. On the #8 Alto, I use 2.5 strength, and on the #8 Soprano I have a 2.5, but it's too airy. I'm certain the 2.25 will do the job, and I really need to get around to ordering one. The alto is a 55xxx Martin Handcraft from around 1925, so it's a dark setup to begin with. Very dark rich sound without the spoiler, and with the spoiler it really rips it up, and really easy altissimo. I find altissimo a little hard with this setup minus the spoiler, but I rarely find I need altissimo unless I'm playing something where the spoiler would help the tone anyway. On the soprano, I've tried both Rico Jazz 2.5 as I have a few old ones lying around, and they seemed to get along with the piece, and they're what I'm using. They're just a bit soft though, so I can't push it much. But that's just a strength issue, not really a reed brand problem. What sort of problems are you having with your JJ? One thing I used to find is when I used wooden reeds is that the reed would conform to the shape of my old piece, and would not sit well on my new piece when testing out mouthpieces. If the table on your old piece was not flat and the JJ is, it will not seal right. If you haven't prepared any reeds just for this mouthpiece, that might be the problem too. Good luck,

Scott

[Eulipion2]

Ctenorman,
Hey, that's cool about the Legeres. Whatever works for you. I went to my local music store and got one each of a Java, V16, and ZZ (don't have cash to buy a box of each), but it still wasn't working for me...I slapped my Luyben clarinet lig on it and it sound soooo much better! Still went back to my Lavoz, though. So see, whatever works!

[Tim Wolfe]

Please see my post in the market place if you are interested in a standard (not ESP) JJ for tenor. It's an 11 opening (.106 according to Jody's website). With the spoiler in, the mpc is powerful and on the bright side. Without the spoiler, the tone is somewhat darker but it is still free blowing. As you know from your own experience, the JJ mpcs are wonderful.

I play a standard (not ESP) Jody Jazz 8 on alto and absolutely love. The JJ was my main tenor piece for awhile (3 or 4 months), but I'm now back to my metal STM Link 7* with a wedge in it. The Link just gives me the tenor sound that I like best.

I really ought to keep the JJ tenor piece as a back up, but I'm cash starved, so it's up for sale.

If you decide to order one from Jody himself, try several different tip openings. My hunch is that you should try the 9, 10, and 11. Keep the one that is best and send the other two back to Jody. Jody's trial policy is hard to beat, and Jody is a fantastic guy to deal with.

All the best!

[Ctenorman]

I'm sorry sax is my axe, I ordered just before you told me about your #11, but I think I prefer the black anyway. My sax had been in the shop for about two weeks, and my JJ HR #11 arrived just after I dropped it off. My horn didn't make it out of the shop until today, so I didn't have a chance to give the JJ HR a try until today. Wow is all I can say. Beats the heck out of my Link in every respect after side by side comparison. Can be silkier when soft, and more solid when pushed. The Link always felt like the sound was being held up in my mouth when I pushed it hard, the JJ takes everything I can throw at it. And with the spoiler, altissimo is so simple it's a joke, it's almost like playing normal notes. And I get a nice modern sound that's not as thin as my quantum when I put the spoiler in. I'll only touch the quantum now when I need a paint peeler and I don't have a mic. Anyone thinking of getting a HR piece should very seriously consider one of these guys.. I know the ESP must be better, but I'm happy as a pig in muck at the moment with my HR JJ.