Tenor dark HR mpc and Ponzol IIVI

[saxobari]

Allo guys,,I was wondering what suggestions would you recommend to try,,I have been on this Ponzol IIVI S 110 that I truely love on my tenor Serie III.Though I have owned in the past ,RPC Rollover,Lebayle Jazz,Morgan L and EL,STM Links, one HR Link,2 Jody HR,HR Vintage Barone,but never returned to HR tenor mpc since that Ponzol result and feel! I would like to get another good mpc as a back up mpc,but also If I can find a darker mpc in HR then my Ponzol,but with free blowing,I really don't like a mpc with resistance!What would you recommend to buy?Would be interested in a 8,or 110.
Thanks,
All the best,
Saxobari.

[Mike Cesati]

Saxscape Uptown Dark or even Extra Dark

[saxobari]

Saxcape is on my mind for now!Mike,,you are playing on one,,how would you describe the one you have??
I have been thinking of those for a while,,I probably will get a try of those,specialy the dark,or extra dark might be a better choice for me!
If any of you have one that wants to depart,,let me know!
Thanks,,,anymore suggestions!
All the best,Saxobari

[TJS]

Saxobari,

Just curious, what didn't you like about the Morgan L?

[AmSaxPlayer]

I've been playing on a Saxscape Uptown Dark and really enjoy it, though while being dark, it's also got a good amount of core and a slight edge, especially in the palm keys and altissimo. I at first was surprised in that I found it brighter than my STM, however after time, I feel like my sound on it has definitely gotten darker, but for what you're looking for, the Xtra Dark is probably the way to go. One other mouthpiece to consider is a Zagar Cool School, a super dark piece with a Getz-like vibe going, although they aren't hard rubber, I think they're certainly half-way decent though many people seem to dislike them.

[Mike Cesati]

Yes, I use an Extra Dark Saxscape now and love it. All I know is I go after a tone that is similar to Sonny Rollins and Joe Henderson( just wish I had some chops to go with it).:) This mpc gets me there. Overall range is great ,there are no strong /weak areas . Great intonation on my horn (Chu Berry). I agee with AmSaxPlayer that palm keys and altissimo are full and big along with the rest of the range. I don't find it resistant compared to my Brillhart I used a long time. That was much more resistant . This mpc isn't tiring to play at all.

The response /articulation is one of the really nice things about the mpc as well. I had a NY Link at one time and this mpc actually reminds of it a little but I was never really a fan of metal. I didn't stay on that mpc that long but I always thought that was one of the deeper sounding mpcs I had.

The Saxscape has a very broad range of the tonal spectrum even though it is a so called dark mpc. Just contact Ken Barry and he will give input as he did for me and I'm very pleased with the mpc.

[Nefertiti]

I have an old Selmer soloist short shank piece that I had Brian Powell open up to a .105. I would say that this is a great dark piece. Plays effortlessly but has a big dark sound to it. It has a focus and core to it that a link type piece usually doesn't. I think it's because of the smaller horseshoe chamber. You can check out a sound clip on my website to see what it sounds like. I've been wanting to try a saxscape piece for awhile. The thing that confuses me with his pieces is that when I go to his website he has so many styles and types that I ddon't know which one to pick or try.:shock:

[Mike Cesati]

Hey Neff,

I guessing you would want to try all the Saxscapes. :D

Remember when we tried those Lambersons at my house? The J7 model actually felt bright to both of us if I remember. I was using the Otto Link HR at the time prior to the Brillhart. When I got the Saxscape Uptown Dark I had a similar reaction and told Ken that I probably wasn't going to keep the mpc. He said he would tweak it and make it an Extra Dark. When I got it back that was it. I love it.

The Extra Dark is different from the Lamberson J. I tried about 4 of those and I just didn't like them at all. :? Just a personal thing. I don't even like to switch out but after the tweak to an Extra Dark the Saxcape gave me more of what I like in my sound so it was inevitable to start using it all the time.

I DO NOT want to audition any other mpcs right now. I've tried tons of stuff and I rarely gain anything by it. I'm just focused on using this mpc because it's doing just about everything I need . As with any mpc you need a good reed and it hasn't been too hard to find one with this mpc but I still don't know which reed I'll buy more of. I had alot of different ones here and I'm still experimenting within those. Sometimes a reed change can be huge as well so Saxobari don't overlook that fact as well.

Over & out

[saxphil]

Saxobari, I too am curious as to what you didn't like about the Morgan L and EL ?

[saxobari]

Saxphil and JTL,about the Morgans,well the EL,,just was too bright,,very nice,,but too bright! The Morgan L,,it just was'nt for me,,I thought that nothing was special about it,,It was very close also to the EL,and that sort of desapointed me,,cause I expected a much darker mpc,,compare to the EL ,,the L was still to bright!
I am getting a Extra Dark 106 from a member here,maybe it will be a good mpc for me!
Hey thanks again everyone for the interest!
All the best
Saxobari

[Mike Cesati]

Good luck, please post your findings on the saxscape.

[saxobari]

Allo Neferti what a great website you have! Love to hear those samples that you do!!Just a good idea,,and helps everyone hearing diffrent mpcs and result!You are also a great player,,keep those samples comin in!!
I am dealing right now with Rodrigo,maybe buying his Extra Dark 106 tenor Saxscape mpc,we will see how it turns out!I am a bit concern about the opening though,,I am used too a 110,or an 8,,but this 106 is a 7,,* maybe there wont be that much of a difference in the opening! Anyways I played lots of 7 in the past and were find!I have been tempted by those mouthpieces for a while now,so may it will be a good match with my tenor III.
Thanks again guys for all the replys for this subject!
All the best,
Saxobari :D

[Nefertiti]

It sounds like it will be a good match. .004 isn't that big a deal and it sounds like the baffle is pretty low. Let us know how you like it. Thanks for the compliments, Steve

[marc]

Hi Soxobari,

Give really a try to the saxscape option. I play the uptown NF .110 since 2 weeks and it is simply the best tenor piece I ever tried.
I use the slim profile, which is an excellent choice for those who are used to metal pieces.
I can only agree to what has been said about the uptown, in particular the even response through the whole register and the ease to articulate very precisely.
Quite superior for instance to my Guardala MB II.
The uptown NF is a perfect match on my VI, which is already known as a rather bright horn. I think the Dark or extra Dark is what you are looking after.

Good luck.
Marc.

[esimpson252]

Saxscape Uptown Dark is a great piece. Try it , you'll like it.;)

[phil44]

I have just ordered a saxscape uptown NF. I have played a Lamberson J last year.
If Mike found the uptown dark to be brighter, I hope the NF is not much brighter than the Lamberson J

[Mike Cesati]

The uptown Dark is not brighter than a J from what I remember. I find the Saxscape is different in a good way.That was just a reaction I had when I tried a couple J's the first time I tried them. It was similar Then when I got the Dark I was A little surprised that it wasn't what I thought. Basically what I was looking for was Extra Dark . I told Ken I thought I should have got that one in the first place.

This stuff is all very subjective and each of us has our core tonal concept that we want.( this is for players that have been doing it a while and are hearing a good sound and getting it.) We try mpcs looking for that core conceptual sound we have . We look for the response of the mpc to give us that. The one that serves us best is the one that plays without alot of effort, responds and articulates to our liking, has good intonation with our horns, and gives the tonal response we are looking for.

Hopefully this makes sense to you all, I know it's be said and done before.

To me the Saxscape came along and is alot of fun to play and gives me the best of what I want to hear. It's more of the conceptual sound that I have in my head.

Tonight I put on a Stanley Turrentine groove record called Trouble No.11 I think with Shirley Scott on organ. I just kept dropping the needle looking for that sound within mine and the Saxscape gets that tone for me. If only I could pop those altissimo A's like Stanley. It ain't the mpc. but with this one it's fun trying.

[benbyrne]

I tried a Super Session I (don't ask why I got the I the tech just handed me one for fun) and I was testing a series III and it made me sound like webster! really dark and lush

[saxobari]

Allo everyone,,the Saxcscape 106 EX Dark is on his way here,,got it from Rodrigo here on this great place! I will let you know my thoughts after getting it!So finaly I will play a Saxscape mpc!Lets hope for the best!
Thanks again for all your inputs on this tenor mpc!
All the best,
Saxobari

[heath]

My question is what could possible be darker than a HR Link?

Send your HR Link to Brian Powell and have him reface it and you should be as dark as you like. $70 with S/H.

Saxobari did you ever try the Ref 36 neck on your III tenor. I'm thinking it might tame some of the brightness of the III.

[Rodrigo Schirm]

And the mpc is flying from Brazil to Canada.
Hope you like the mpc.
Please tell us your impressions when it arrives.
Thanks Saxobari, great guy to deal with.

[saxobari]

Allo Rodrigo,thanks for those fast replys and very good communications for the sell of that tenor 106 Saxscape Ex Dark mpc!
I am really looking foward to play it!
It was a pleasure meeting you!
Rodrigo is a great guy to deal with!
All the best,
Saxobari

[saxobari]

Allo Heath,how are you?
About that HR Link,,does sound interesting.but did tried those twice I think but ws'nt lucky at all with them,,but like you said,one having it refaced by Mr,Powel could be an answer!
I am not really unhappy with my sound of my Serie III ,actually I love this tenor!My main mpc is a Ponzol IIVI 110S,and man it is great,,I just want a second good tenor mpc with a different,If possible on the dark side also,and with freeblowing as much as possible!So changing my neck at a certain point was on my mind,but decided to go again just for a different sound with another mpc ! I used to love playing HR mpcs,but never found one yet that surpasses the sound and feel of my main mpc now.I played also a tenor Refernce 36 for a week,,very nice horn,also good tone,,,for me the Serie III was it!
This should be interesting though to put a Ref.36 neck on it,,If that neck fits!
Anyways thanks again for the interest Heath!
All the best,
Saxobari

[heath]

Yeah the Ref 36 neck will fit. Might need the tenon expanded or shrunk a hair, not a tough thing to do at a music shop.

I'd like to read a review of you trying the Ref 36 neck on a III. Both horns are great, it's just that I think the recent 36 necks are a bit more responsive than the 36 necks that were being sold 4 or 5 years ago when I bough my 36. I recently bought one and it was a very positive improvement in high note response, but kept some of the resistance as well.

[CONN-hunter]

hi Mike,

interesting to read your postings. I bought your link NY many years ago (4, 5?) and sold it again. at the time you told me that your prefered the Link HR.

you know, I have a CHU as well and I am willing to try one EX dark after your report.

Rodrigo. what a surprise... let me say some words in your language...


que pena que eu nao vi antes cara! senao eu ia comprar a bocal de voce:D

moro na Alemanha, um abraco

sent a PM , if you wish, it would be a pleasure

I am still looking for the best MPC for CHU tenor with warmness and edge + easy response and articulation. just like Mike describes :)

[sycc]

You could try a Brancher L chamber. Here's the link. I may going to one on tenor. Currently I am playing on a ponzol ebony(wood)110 instead of my usual C** soloist!!! http://saxforte.com/accessories/play/mouthpieces/tenor_mouthpieces/tenor_mouthpieces.html#branchertenor

[sycc]

Mathew Aaron of Saxforte is very knowledgeable about all things sax. He is currently helping me upgrade some mouthpieces.

[Mike Cesati]

hi Mike,

interesting to read your postings. I bought your link NY many years ago (4, 5?) and sold it again. at the time you told me that your prefered the Link HR.

you know, I have a CHU as well and I am willing to try one EX dark after your report.

Rodrigo. what a surprise... let me say some words in your language...


que pena que eu nao vi antes cara! senao eu ia comprar a bocal de voce:D

moro na Alemanha, um abraco

sent a PM , if you wish, it would be a pleasure

I am still looking for the best MPC for CHU tenor with warmness and edge + easy response and articulation. just like Mike describes :)

PM sent

[dirty]

I am still looking for the best MPC for CHU tenor with warmness and edge + easy response and articulation. just like Mike describes :)
About a year ago, I visited some friends at my old high school and my former band director let me pull out the old Conn Chu that I used to play in high school. My Link 8 (refaced by Eric Drake) is usually SUPER BRIGHT on my Yamaha 62 (it's a bright horn to start with, I asked Eric to enhance the brightness and I'm a bright player by choice). When I put that Link onto the Chu, I had a nice, thick, clean, "satin" tone. Gorgeous horn, and definitely a good mouthpiece match. Large chamber for a full sound, but with enough rollover baffle to keep some grit and projection in the tone. Try it!