Jaguar-V Bari - First Impressions

[StevenW]

Jaguar-V Bari - First Impressions


1). Like the Tenor version, less of the mouthpiece needs to be taken into the mouth.

2). A wider (1 or 2 sizes) tip opening than the equal Custom can be selected.

3). The sound is very much "richer" (my family confirms this is heard by listeners, not just the player) than a Custom.

4). It is very easy to play - would be a dawdle to do several long back-to-back sets.

5). Low range has more noticable overtones.

6). Dynamic range is very good (I thought the tenor version was a smidge more flexible BTW).

7). Feels like a Tenor mouthpiece in many ways. The slope of the toothplate is less noticed than the Tenor version.

I only just begun to play the sample, so more playing is needed to full assess the design.

It easily outplays the other Bari mouthpieces, including the Links, I have.

Again, like the Tenor Jaguar-V, this is a real section player's mouthpiece with a tonal quality that will blend very well!

More after some more hours playing it!

StevenW

:D

[StevenW]

Ok - I was able to get another four hours playing it - a mix of classical charts, big band stuff and practice exercises.

The richness of tone is outstanding. The playability is such that after two hours there is no wear & tear feeling.

I've a chance to play some small ensemble charts coming up, so I'll report more then, but this Jaguar-V looks to be the "Cat's Meow"!

StevenW

:D

[Subtone Sam]

StevenW,is the tenor Jag. more of a jazzmpc or would it be bright enough for R&B stuff too,in your opininon? :shock:

[StevenW]

StevenW,is the tenor Jag. more of a jazzmpc or would it be bright enough for R&B stuff too,in your opininon? :shock:

I'm playing the Tenor both for Jazz and more traditional quartets.

I would have thought the needs of R&B might be brighter yet, but as I've not listened to tapes of this setup (the Jaguar-V Tenor #8 with Fibracell Medium played on a Revision D SML Stencil set up middle of the road with Foil-Backed Prestini pads and standard sized resonators) I'm going to have to say I really don't know how it might work for you.

The Bari is definately a very full sound as well - again perhaps at a perception of slightly less projection, but I feel that is beacuse of a fullness on backfilling the ful range harmonics rather than any actual reduction in projection.

So far I'v found both are tireless - I can play much longer before feeling the effects.

Hope this helps you somewhat.

StevenW

[Subtone Sam]

OK,thanks!

[Bootman]

The tenor Jag is more than bright enough for an RnB mpc, it is very clean in sound too but can be overdirven if you dump lots of air down the horn. The altissimo response is great, intonation is effortless in this range, something we have all come to expect from a Runyon mpc. These are also beautifully finished mpcs too.

I find that the Bari and the tenor models of the Jaguar to be excellent, they are still knocking me out. I am eagerly awaiting for the Soprano model too. I am planning on getting the alto model to check out as well.

[Brian]

I have a #9 Alto and am pretty impressed. In that Ive played a smoothbore for years, there is quite a similarity in the feel. The sound, though is more complex than the SBore. The responce is faster both with spoiler in and out. I dont notice a tremendous difference in low end responce, but there is some improvement ... not night and day. Definately can be pushed harder than a custom.

[Subtone Sam]

Brian,I thought Jags. don´t come with spoilers because of the bullet chamber (the spoiler doesn´t work well with bullet chamber,so I´ve heard).You are using one though?

[StevenW]

None of the Jaguar-V's I've bought came with a spoiler. My understanding is that originally Santy had intended to have a special spoiler molded to fill the V-groove in the baffle, even announcing availability of a spoiler, but a special spoiler wasn't made. Using a standard flat spoiler is apparently possible, but there are airstream issues. The Runyon site seems to confuse the issue with the spoiler featuring in the Jaguar-V information.

StevenW :D

[Bootman]

I don't feel that the Jaguar needs a spoiler, it would be interesting to test drive a spoiler in it.

[Brian]

That would explain why mine orriginally came without a spoiler. Because it was stated that there WAS a spoiler that should have been included, the vendor I bought it from had one shipped direct from Runyon. It is a normal spoiler that starts thebaffle area before the VGroove ... so that no air gets in underneath and spoils the airstream.

If you use a modified spoiler that sits in the chamber deeper, it wont work, because of the VGroove.

The spoiler is quite raucous ... sometimes just perfect... LOL!.

Brian

[super20dan]

brian -how is the edge compaired to thr smooth bore? could it work for sanborn style playing ? . i trust your opinion as you turned me on to the xl which ended a long a frustrating (and expencive) mpc search. the x.l is still working for me but i am allways interested in any new runyon product esp one that is getting rave reviews like the jag is

[Brian]

Super20Dan, I still play the metalXL (Smootbore) as my mainstream piece, but I couldnt send the Jaguar back after trying it. Its similar in feel as far as resistance and air volume, but YES it is a much more complex tonal pallette. Definately brighter, but not at the expense of the lows.

I recently had my alto repadded and it seems to blow a bit darker than before. When I get all the leaks and adjustments worked out of it, I may be going to the Jag as the 'go to' piece, depending of course on how the entire set up plays together.

[StevenW]

Had a chance to play the Jaguar-V with my SML Bari for a while last night. Being a bit stuffed up from a cold I didn't think it projected so much, but the sax player next to me was muttering about the huge presence of the combination. Easy playing and a huge tonal sound! I had to shim my neck cork to match sizes, but it did play lovely. Will try and get a MP3 of the sound soon!

StevenW :D

[Bootman]

Mp3's are available on my site of the Jaguar on the Conn. The Magna is at the Doctors and will return when it is playing as it should.

[Subtone Sam]

I received mine today,#14 for tenor and bari.After couple of hours on both pieces I can say that these are very good mouthpieces.Tenor version has full tone,kicks when needed,very healthy sound.It can be used for variety of styles,jazz,section,rock.Bari Jag. is great too,strong,solid sound and easy to play,works great for section stuff.I got mine from Charlie A´s and the service was excellent,recommended.

[JL]

I've been playing the Jaguar tenor mpc (#9) for about a month now, mostly on the VI tenor, but also on the 'Crat. The more I play it, the more I like it. Very clear, focused, fat tone with plenty of power. It plays easily from the low notes into the altissimo range. Just the right amount of resistance. I agree with Bootman that it probably doesn't need a spoiler, but I'd like to try one in it anyway....I hear Runyon is working one. Great mouthpiece!