Jazz Mouthpiece for SDA

[mikestefano2001]

I've had my 1960 SDA for a couple of weeks now and just love it. Easy to play and with 98% of its lacquer intact, it's beautiful,too. Can anyone recommend a good jazz mouthpiece for this horn? I'm using a Rousseau 5R right now and having a bit of trouble hitting anything below D or above D, so I've got 2 octaves that play easily and sound great. Other mouthpiece I have is a Yamaha 4C (C4?) and it makes the horn sound too muffled. Thanks for the help

PS It's really nice to have a section devoted to this great and very underrated horn.

Mike :D

[TheChristianSax]

I also just got a 1960 SDA alto a couple of weeks ago and am in total love with the thing. I tried several different mouthpieces, including the vintage Berg Larsen that came with it. In addition, I have tried an Otto Link metal, a Vandoren hard rubber, and an Otto Link hard rubber. The rubber Link 6 has really worked well for me. It has a lot of control and openness for a nice, warm jazz sound. I am using a Rovner ligature with it. This mouthpiece is relatively inexpensive too. I paid about $70 and tried about a half dozen or so mouthpieces. For me, the Link works well in the upper and lower register. I can also get altissimo A, G#, and G out without a problem. Hope the info helps. My repairman said he thought the SDA was on level with a Mark VI and now I thoroughly believe him.

Sincerely,


Matt

[mikestefano2001]

I saw the post where you mention just getting your sax. I had always wanted a Mark VI (I guess because everyone else does), but I just love this horn and think it sounds every bit as good as a VI. Thanks for the info on mouthpieces. I wish I had a music store in town (Kingston Ont) that carried a better supply. Looks like I'm headed to Montreal or Toronto to shop!

Mike

[noelpaz]

Mike,

Otto Link is good for these buffet's. Good luck on the horn. I have an SDA myself and I also think it is as good as a Mark VI - defintiely in leauge with Balanced Action. I have 2 metal links, a 7 NY and a recent 5* STM, that I stick with this horn. The recent ones have more of a baffle and you can get a brighter sound. Get one that seals well. Also my horn's pads has been opened up and though focused, it can bark like a Keilwerth. I've also used my 7*3 Claude Lakey HR and my Bari (brand) metal mouthpiece, both wide openings and very high baffles - you get that modern sound ala becker sound. These horns respond well to mouthpieces.

[Kritavi]

I am currently using a no-name custom mouthpiece on my SDA alto. I wish I knew who made it as it is the best alto mouthpiece I have probably ever owned out of hundreds in 30 years of playing.
However my other favorites with this horn are the Selmers. I use a scoll shank c** and a 3 1/2 or a cs-80 E with a 2 1/2 and they both work great. I also use a jumbo java on some electric gigs and my broadus on some jazz playing. Still I reccomend the selmers.

[mikestefano2001]

Thanks everybody. I've ordered a meyer 6MM hard rubber and will also order a Berg Larsen stainless steel 90/1M which should be pretty bright assuming I've figured out their numbering... I still can't get over how great my SuperDynaction sounds, even with a so-so mouthpiece and an even more so-so player!

Mike

[TheChristianSax]

Mike,

The Meyer sounds like a good choice. It is similar to my HR Link, which has a good sound. Let me know about the Berg and how it feels and sounds and how the horn responds to it. I had a friend of mine who is a professor of music, University of North Texas One O'clock lab band graduate, and an endorser of Cannonball saxes play my SDA last week, and this is what he said in an email:

"good horn. I didn't play it long but had a good feeling about it. I did sense that it has a small bore so, power could be an issue and intonation in the upper range. Just have to adjust the airstream to its limitations. I loved the response! It would be a great horn for doing a jazz quartet gig and would sound really good on the mic or recording."

I tried my metal link the other day, and did not really get into it. It was a bit brighter, but I was having a warble problem on low B and Bb, but did not have that problem with the HR link :? Anyway, please let me know what you think of the pieces when you get them and play them a while.

Sincerely,

Matt

[Bill Mecca]

the only horn I own ( in playing condition) is a 1961 SDA tenor, a fantastic horn. I play mostly R&R and R&B and have found it responds well to mpc changes. By nature a dark, rich horn, I brighten it up with High baffle pieces. I understand the original mpc sold with it was a smaller chamber.

I've played a Meyer 5M, Guy Hawkins metal7, Link STM 5*, Link STM8, Runyon Custom Spoiler, Rovner 40D, Rovner Metal Eagle8, Berg metal 120/0sms, Jumbo Java T45, and T75 and my best piece, Runyon Custom Quantum Spoiler 12.

Great horns, just keep quiet huh? we don't want the price to skyrocket :wink:

[Peterk]

The new Runyon Jaguar sounds absolutely incredible on SDAs.
I am very disappointed with my Meyer 5M on it (very stuffy and muffled), but hope the HR works out for you.

[noelpaz]

yes -- Do not tell everyone how good this SDA's are. These are good horns and I'd like to keep them undervalued for a while until I get an alto and another tenor :)


Okay here I go: Buffet SDA's are bad - crappy - out of tune - will not play -- bad finish -- stuffy --- bad keywork -- better to make a lamp out of them -- Did I mention french? Compared to a Chinese "Grand" Saxophone" -- they can be used as canoe anchors!!

:D

Chill ya'll and blow away but don't mention its a buffet!!

[TheChristianSax]

:D :D :D :D :D

[mostly alto guy]

It's not just SDAs; all Buffet saxes are just crap!. The worst are the S1 and copper-bodied Prestige tenors and sopranos, SDA and Powell altos, and Dynaction and SDA Baris. As a public service, owners of this array of junk are welcome to dump them on me for a nominal disposal/recycling fee.