Trying to decide on a mpc. need some help

[Phat Pat]

Well, I wish I could afford a bunch of mouthpieces, but I cant so I need to decide. Im torn between a Runyon Quantom Metal, a Runyon Jaguar, and an Otto link. a 12 facing on the Runyons and a 7* on the Link.

Im looking for a mouthpiece for my high school Jazz band, and I want a mouthpiece that is pretty flexible, that will let me blend when I need to and cut through with a great sound on the solos. I would love to have a sound with a fair amount of edge while retaining that make the room vibrate fullness. any help and/or opinions about these mouthpieces or any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated

[MojoBari]

What are you playing on bari now?

[Phat Pat]

A Selmer S-80 C*, for jazz I have a Vandoren V5 B75 mouthpiece, which I hate, Im thinking of selling it to a sophomore who doesnt know better and has his eye on it. I was surprised because my friend has basically the same mouthpiece on tenor and it sounds awsome.

[Merlin]

I read the first message, and was just about to recommend my fave all round jazz/big band bari m/p...

...then I read your second post.

But curiosity compels me to ask: What is it exactly that you hate about the Vandoren B75?

[Phat Pat]

lol, Its just not what im looking for at all, Im still waiting on Vandoren ZZ #2 reeds to try on it, so I guess I should wait for those before I pass judgement. I think part of my problem with it is it's lack of flexibility in sound, but that could just be from having too stiff of a reed. Rico Royal 3 1/2 were too hard, and with the honking noise that made I just put it up and didnt touch it too much, figured I better get some really soft reeds first.

I would go try these out, but the shops around here usually dont stock any jazz bari mouthpieces.

[MojoBari]

You need to work out your issues with the Vandoren before moving on. It should be a lot better than the C*. If anything, it may be a little too open for you. A #2 may work fine on it, so may a 2.5. So may a 2, 2.5 in another brand. You may need to break in the reed and shave it in the right spot.

Try a Plasticover reed, and a Bari brand synthetic reed. These are bright and can liven the piece up. Try a PowerTone stick-on baffle.

Next, I'd recommend trying a Custom Quantum Spoiler (plastic version). They are less $ and are actually louder than the metal ones. I think a 12 would be too large. Stick to around .100", so that would be a 9 or 10. You should consider a Runyon Custom Spoiler too. The size will probably feel more familiar in your mouth. The Quantums feel very small and take some getting used to.

[Phat Pat]

well, I really have no problem getting used to a mouthpiece (I know it probably seems like that from the way I threw aside the Vandoren, but damn that sound was just honkey). I acctually started on alto (switched to bari 2 1/2 years ago) so a smaller mouthpiece might be nice.

I was thinking the Quantum metal because it supposedly has a darker sound, which is part of what Im looking for. looking at a facing chart I can see what your saying about a 12 being too open though seeing as a B75 is a .275" opening, quite a jump there, your probably right about why Im having problems with it.

BTW, what reeds would you reccomend for the Vandoren B75? have you tried ZZ reeds?

[Merlin]

Actually, I use either Vandoren Blue Box #3, Alexander Classique #3, or Legere #3 reeds on my B75.

I have no trouble with flexibility, range, intonation or power. The comment is often made about how large and dark my sound is.

[MojoBari]

The B75 has a tip opening on 2.75mm = .108". A difference of .010" feels like a "step" and would cause you to use about a 1/2 strength softer reed to get the same blowing resistance. Jumping from a .080" C* to a .108" B75 would feel like almost 3 steps more open. It would honk unless you went down in reed strength. The big Runyons you picked out will honk worse.

The metal Q is a little darker than the plastic one. The Jag is another step darker. The Qs, Jag, and regular Custom I mentioned above are all brighter than the Vandoren. So you may be heading in the wrong direction.

I use Fibracell reeds. They are not as bright as the reeds I mentioned above. Based on your interest in the Runyons, I thought you were looking for a brighter sound. For darkness, stick with the Vandoren or head in the Link direction.

[Phat Pat]

lol, that makes a biiiiiiit more sence. hmmmm, I guess its just me being used to it. I guess I'll start on the 2s I have coming and go from there. Thanks a million for your help

hey, wouldnt happen to have any sound clips would ya?

[MojoBari]

I'm not big on clips, but I made several a couple of years ago. All my clips sounded similar enough to me that I decided to pick a piece by how they responded and sounded to me without recording them. I think the way a clip sounds is more than 80% due to the player. I lean towards pieces that take the least amount of effort from me to produce a good sound on bari. That way I have air left over to play longer phrases.

I left some of me playing on a plastic Q in at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MouthpieceWork/files/Bari%20Sax/

They are brighter and edgy-er than I sound lately. I'm not sure if you have to join the group to see the files.

You can hear how the same piece works in a recording (processed and mixed) at:

http://www.geocities.com/kwbradbury/MojoCD.html

[Phat Pat]

Mojo you were right! Apparnetly my embouchure has matured. played on it today with a Rico Royal 3 1/2, and it sounded really good, my BARI (M) reed didnt sound too great on it IMO. I'll shave a reed and see how it sounds, then check it out with some more combinations, I think a softer cane reed would get me a lot closer to the sound I want.

I really like how versitle the mouthpiece is, I can get pretty much any sound or dynamic I want out of it. I cant wait to try out some different reed combinations on it.

(would have tried it out sooner, but I kept forgetting to bring it to school so I can use it on my school sax.)