Pojoty
07-16-2008, 11:52 PM
So I recently bought a Custom Z Tenor, and found that my favorite reeds (Java #3.5) do not sound so good! They are stuffy, airy, and hard(er) to play. Previously I was on an Olds Ambassador with a Meyer 6M and a Runyon Smooth Bore #4 (don't ask me why it's so low I was in High School when I bought it and really dug it at the time... in fact I still do to an extent.) I've never been a technical player, and my teacher told me to try the school sax. The past four months I've used a Yamaha YTS-52 and still dug the reeds/mouth piece.
I complained earlier about a cork on the neck that doesn't seal well with my Meyer and Runyon (can't take it to the shop unless I decide to full out keep it.) However if I use paper it makes a decent seal with the Runyon and Meyer... for now.
It came with a Hemke #3 and this reed sounds a lot better, but almost too "hooty" for lack of a better word.
As you would expect I'm headed to the store to get a handful of reeds to try.
Hemke #3, Hemke #3.5, Java #3, Rico Royal #3, RR #3.5.... (RR because Rico makes Hemke anyway.)
Any other suggestions? Should I try sanding down a few of my Java 3.5's? I almost doubt it was the reed strength... it was so different.
Do you think a full, proper cork seal will do the trick?
I was also reading about tip opening and reed strength. Thicker reeds need a larger tip opening. I believe both mouthpieces are between a .76 and .80. Should I consider a larger mouth piece? This is somewhat sketchy since it worked before, though.
What's the difference between Hemke and Rico or Rico Royal anyway? The Rico website really only offers descriptions such as "dark... blah blah." Different reeds used? French file? Different thicknesses?
Thanks, there is a lot here.
I'm off to the store in an hour, but with good advice I can always return tomorrow. I simply found it fishy that my 3.5's (multiple ones) sounded so stuffy...
I complained earlier about a cork on the neck that doesn't seal well with my Meyer and Runyon (can't take it to the shop unless I decide to full out keep it.) However if I use paper it makes a decent seal with the Runyon and Meyer... for now.
It came with a Hemke #3 and this reed sounds a lot better, but almost too "hooty" for lack of a better word.
As you would expect I'm headed to the store to get a handful of reeds to try.
Hemke #3, Hemke #3.5, Java #3, Rico Royal #3, RR #3.5.... (RR because Rico makes Hemke anyway.)
Any other suggestions? Should I try sanding down a few of my Java 3.5's? I almost doubt it was the reed strength... it was so different.
Do you think a full, proper cork seal will do the trick?
I was also reading about tip opening and reed strength. Thicker reeds need a larger tip opening. I believe both mouthpieces are between a .76 and .80. Should I consider a larger mouth piece? This is somewhat sketchy since it worked before, though.
What's the difference between Hemke and Rico or Rico Royal anyway? The Rico website really only offers descriptions such as "dark... blah blah." Different reeds used? French file? Different thicknesses?
Thanks, there is a lot here.
I'm off to the store in an hour, but with good advice I can always return tomorrow. I simply found it fishy that my 3.5's (multiple ones) sounded so stuffy...