French school setups???

[WG]

Since reading the previous thread on Rascher school setups, I thought it would be interesting to hear what you guys pursuing the French school are using for your equipment of choice. Let's hear from you Mule disciples on the board.

My equipment of choice is...

Mark VI alto (circa 1966)
Larry Teal mouthpiece
Rovner dark ligature
Alexander Classique #3 reeds

I know my selection of equipment appears mundane, but it gives me that light French sound, string-like quality and ease of articulation that I'm pursuing.
8) 8) 8)

[singlereed]

I think that's pretty much a standard type of set-up. Personally, I use a Ref 54 alto, (modern) Soloist C*, BG Trad metal lig, Alexander Classique, Marca or Vandoren 3.5 reeds.

For me, the Soloist or a S80 type mouthpiece gives a slightly more interesting sound than the round chambered LT, Vandoren Optimum or A28 - though these are a bit easier to keep on the 'rails' in classical playing.

A Mark VI is the choice of many pros, but I think the Serie II is also popular and the Ref 54 is winning a lot of friends. The Yamaha 855 Custom, Yani 991 and the Buffet S1 or SDA are also fine classical horns if you are in search of a French School sound.

[JayLaczSax]

I'm currently playing on a Modern Larry Teal Alto mouthpiece, but I'm wating for my vintage one to arrive in the mail (Thank YOU saxaholic ), I play on Hemke 3 reeds (I used to use vandorens, but I believe they are too inconsistent), I use an FL gold ligature and currently play a Yamaha 62. My professor seems very pleased with my sound. I used to play on C* but I, personally, think the sound is, hmm, tight, or bright, I'm not sure how to describe it, I think the LT gives me the sound that I want. I def. feel like my sound has a string like quality, and articulation is great. I'm still waiting to read about you Mule disciples!

[GenericGuy]

I'm using a SA80 Ser. II, S90 190, Bay ligature (gold plated), and Vandoren Blue Box 3 1/2 for my classical alto. Seems to be the exact same setup that several of my teachers have used (former Londiex and Hemke students.) I've been thinking of switching to either a Larry Teal or a S90 180. My Millennium Ser. III has better high/lows than the Ser. II with my classical setup, but the Ser. II mid range is more vibrant.

I doubt I'll ever switch over to the Mule style Mark VI and metal Selmer C* for classical alto.

[JfW]

I currently favor the following Setups:

Alto: Vandoren Optimum AL3, Rovner bright, BB Vandoren 3 or Alexander Classique 3

Tenor: Metal Selmer Classic (stock lig), Hemke 3 (also putsing around with Alexanders DC and Classique 3's)

what schools do those belong to?

[ZatSax]

what about bonade ligatures?

[J.Max]

what about bonade ligatures?

What about them?

[Saxplayer67]

To be honest, I don't really know what the difference is in Rascher and Mule schools (does the latter sound like an ***? ). How does one identify the type of sound one gets and whether it is either of these or Fench, German, Bangladeshi, Martian etc? What are the signifiers?

[ZatSax]

are bonade's common in french sax?

[J.Max]

To be honest, I don't really know what the difference is in Rascher and Mule schools (does the latter sound like an ***? ). How does one identify the type of sound one gets and whether it is either of these or Fench, German, Bangladeshi, Martian etc? What are the signifiers?

There's a stickied post in the general classical forum that explains it.

[J.Max]

are bonade's common in french sax?

I don't think that there is a particular ligature that's common to any school, except for maybe the standard two-screw. That's a bit specific...

[gary]

Selmer Serie II alto
Selmer S80 C*
Buffet-Crampon lig.
Vandoren blue box #3

...can't get more French than that.

[Martinman]

Selmer Serie II alto
Selmer S80 C*
Buffet-Crampon lig.
Vandoren blue box #3

...can't get more French than that.

I use the Selmer stock lig on that same setup with harder Vandorens. I have THE Selmer setup.

[hakukani]

S80 C* with a regular Bonnade ligature. Van Doren 3's, ever since they were in a purple box (for a time I used fours, and cut down 5s--but that was looong ago). I don't play much legit since I resigned from the Hawaii County Band four years ago.

[ZatSax]

Selmer Serie I alto
S80 C*
Hemke 3's
Regular Bonade

[TenTenTooter]

Yamaha Custom 875 Alto
Vandoren Optimum AL3
Vandoren Blue Box 3's
BG Traditional

[Angel]

Bonade and BG Tradition are similar, but here's my qualified difference:

Bonade - easy response, clear articulation

BG Tradition - easier response, clearer articulation

Both have the same good reed coverage (rails), but the BG Tradition has less material involved.

My own opinion - a student comes in with a Bonade, then I'm OK. He comes in with a BG Tradition, I'm OKer. He comes in with a stock Selmer Lig, then if he's an advanced student, I recommend a BG Tradition, Bob Scott, or Charles Bay. Otherwise, a standard metal lig is sufficient.

Angel

[nitrosax]

Selmer C*(metal or HR), Vandoren Blue Box, Stock Selmer Lig, Selmer horn...greatest classical setup that ever lived...

[ZatSax]

How are BG Tradition, Bob Scott, and Charles Bay ligs different?

[decade]

Bonade and BG Tradition are similar, but here's my qualified difference:

Bonade - easy response, clear articulation

BG Tradition - easier response, clearer articulation

Both have the same good reed coverage (rails), but the BG Tradition has less material involved.

My own opinion - a student comes in with a Bonade, then I'm OK. He comes in with a BG Tradition, I'm OKer. He comes in with a stock Selmer Lig, then if he's an advanced student, I recommend a BG Tradition, Bob Scott, or Charles Bay. Otherwise, a standard metal lig is sufficient.

Angel

What does that mean? Good reed coverage?