Tough decision but I'm going with the D'addario Select. Times for comparing th 4 mps: Otto link Tone Edge 3:54 Jody Jazz HR 7 6:54 Vandoren V16 T7 8:30 D'Addario Jazz D7 10:27 I have a Morgan 8LL, Otto Link Early Babbit, Selmer S80 C*, Conn Steely, 1966 Buffet that came with my Buffet tenor sax and an old Buescher that I paid 5 bucks for. I love them all but I always go back to the silly 5 dollar old Buescher. It's very similar to the selmer S80 C* but mellower in a good way. Another mp to compare under 200 is the Semer Soloist which I've heard the vintage ones are great. Awesome video! Thanks Jay!!!
Better Sax I just listed the different times spaced out from their mp names in a row as normal text then they showed up as links to the same times in the video! It must be your magical greatness for spreading your good karma to the world with all of your awesome videos!
Only thing I would say that makes a huge difference no matter if it's a $40 or $1000 mouthpiece is when you get it buy a whole bunch of reeds in different brands and sizes and spend a week playing on different ones. I found reeds that played absolutely terrible on my cheaper mouthpieces sounded and played amazing on my higher end ones and same the other way around different reeds really like certain mouthpieces I never really understood that and just played around the mouthpiece and what I could afford in reeds. Changing up reeds really does make playing alot more fun when you find the right one it's not that hard ether and once you found one that pairs well you will know straight away.
Im just picking up the sax after 30+ years again. I decided that I better get a decent mouthpiece, IE, not a 30 bux one, picked a nice 100 bux Mayer with ligature. I think that should be a good learning platform. Beyond that, I shall work with what I have and not buy anything except new reeds :D
I know you said don't do this but I have been playing on my vintage super tone ottolink metal for years and was to scared to even try to adjust the table. I have a knife sharpening set with diamond plates up to 16000 grit. I got brave enough and flattened the table. Instant improvement. I've been missing out so much but even cooler I made that mouthpiece work without a flat table depending all the other things you talk about and now it's even easier!! So excited. This instrument is life time of learning something new everyday!
Hi, a great big thank you, after years of playing sax using the same mouthpiece I subscribed and watched your video, I purchased the D’ addario Select Jazz 6 and wow!!! What a difference, I love my sound and went for the same mouthpiece for alto, with the same results. Your channel is packed with good positive info and tips. Thanks again.
For me, I liked your sound best in this order on this video: 1) Otto Link 2) D'Addario 3) Vandoren 4) Jody Jazz. If I had to blend with a section I think I'd choose the Vandoren first overall. Given your having to flatten the table on the Link, I'd be hesitant. Thanks for the great video because I'm looking for my first upgrade. UPDATE: Based on this video and a couple others I purchased the D'Addario #7. Thank you!
It was recommended that I buy either an 8 or 7* tip opening (based on Otto Link) in order to get a "full tenor sound." After watching several videos and hearing a full sound on the D'Addario 7 (.105 tip = Link 7*) that's what I purchased. I'm very pleased and surprised that it's much easier to control than I expected and feel that I'm going to be able to make music with this mouthpiece and the right reed combo.
D'Addario Jazz D7 delivers and offers more than others. The delivered tone is richer, details are more sumptuous and complex, frequencies are not clipped (perhaps better material is used?), no nasal buzz as with Otto Link and Jody Jazz, and the sound can be moulded better. Vandoren V16 T7 is close second best. You confirmed my judgment, across many D'Addario demos I heard, that it is a very good mouthpiece indeed. Thank you, Jay.
"nasal buzz".... that's a new phrase for me... and I wonder what that mean's exactly... I called the Link... a little "tubby"... on the low end... I wonder if that's what you meant? But now I think of it... yes I have noticed a vibration on some pieces that are more pronounced in the nasal part of your face as you are playing... interesting phrase... thanks for naming this... cool...
I have been playing the Meyer "5" (I believe) for the last 18 years and It has become my favorite mouth piece for my Tenor. I have played a lot of different ones over the years and none of them have compared to it.. Why do people feel that have to spend a lot of money to get a good mouthpiece? Better yet why do alot of these mouthpieces cost so much when the cheaper ones play equally as well or better?
I started with a Yamaha, then tried a Tone Edge 6...but then I got a Jody Jazz HR8* and it beat the others by a mile. To me the Jody Jazz felt like a turbo charger had been attached to my sax, but in a good way!
I played on Link 7* for 40 years and found I just didn't have the air to fill it anymore. I just bought V16 T6 about three months ago and really love it. I play several styles too and find this one works for everything.
Hi Robin or Jay, can you explain why the T6 is easier to play, please :) I'm trying to understand how the different tip openings impact the ease of playing across the entire horn. Thank you!
1:00 lmao I’m so bad at keeping up with upgrades. I switched to tenor 4+ years ago and still using my Yamaha 4C. Finally getting an upgrade soon!! Probably gonna go with the Otto Link
I was playing HR* and have now moved to the Custom Dark. Very similar, but takes everything to a higher level,in tone and projection etc. Not by a massive amount, but the difference is there.
Christian Kattenstroth Hi Jay, I liked the Jody Jazz as well as the Vandoren mouthpiece, but in your play the Jody Jazz and D'Addario Select sounded best to me. There was a little difference in the sound, Jody Jazz sounded more focused, whereas D'Addario had a more "fat" und "dirty" sound. So keep goin', I like your sound very much*****!
I had a Tone Edge 7 and you are completely right- I couldn't project through a pit band very well. It sounds like the T7 for you is the easiest to play. D'Addario seems like a good halfway point between the Link and the Vandoren. Jodyjazz HR always just sounded kind of stuffy and artificial to me. Thank you for the video!
Wow, put the Vandoren in, and... wow again!! This is an AMAZING mouthpiece for me! It plays very easy, is a bit brighter than the D'Addario (which I like), and can really hit overtones well! The smoothest, most balanced one I've played. Sometimes you "think yourself" into liking something you just spent $$$ for, but this one almost immediately felt that it was THE mouthpiece for me. Loud, smooth, versatile, and relatively easy to blow and produce a variety of tones and overtones. Hands down the winner, though I'm keeping the D'Addario.
None of us have the same embochure techniques. It may sound good on him but not necessarily on you. Just saying as a thought. I have tried many moutpieces that people love and End up with the old ones. For some reason I always end up using a Yamaha 5C on my alto and my Otto on Tenor.
Hi Jay - Excellent video! I'm most impressed with the mellow and very rich old-school jazz sound you have with the Otto Link. In my recent quest for tenor pieces, I tried 8 of the top hard rubber mouthpiece brands -- some very spendy. I gave the D'Addario a lengthy trial and thought it was surprisingly nice, especially for the money. It was a bit brighter and a more contemporary sound than I'm after. I decided on the Jody Jazz HR 5* and am completely pleased with the tone, playability and overall performance. However, your tone on the Otto Link Tone Edge impresses me enough to order one to try. Again, a well done and very helpful video.
I'm playing on a stock Otto link tone edge 7* (.106) that I pair with daddario select jazz 2H, on my Eastman 52nd street tenor, and I really like it alot (I've been playing on it for 2 years now)
The Tone Edge that you have is not the Modern Vintage version. The Modern Vintage is a Slant Signature series that costs around $155. I also have a defect with it but it doesn't affect the sound. In fact, it is my favorite HR mouthpiece. I'd play it more but it has a small bore and I need a new neck. Good Channel!!!
I see that they are now making a new model that is supposed to be like the old Slants. I'm going to try to get one of those to try. Thanks for the heads up.
awesome post, Jay - thanks for posting this. It's amazing how diverse those mouthpieces can sound. For me the Vandoren V16 and the D'Addario Jazz stood out from the others. They're both very different - the Vandoren sounded brighter and 'rockier' but the depth and full rounded sound of that D'Addario ... aiiii carumba!
I've been playing a YAS-32 with a Meyer 9 and love the sound. Then had a bad throat ... tenor was easier to blow so switched back to it :) It's a Yani TW020 with the stock Yani 6 mouthpiece - beautiful deep and mellow sound - I'm resisting the urge to splurge and buy another mouthpiece - I probably need to focus more on my own tone but would be interested to know if you' have had a chance to compare the D'addario Select 7 with an 8 to see if there's much difference? That said, if I do get another mouthpiece it will be for a rockier sound with a bit more bite so maybe something along the lines of a David Guardala ... AFTER I've worked on my own tone! Keep up the good work, sir :)
Luvin, I have not tried the 8, only the 7. I wouldn't mind having a more open version of that piece though. The 7 has a very immediate response so I think the 8 would still be very easy to play. If you're used to a Meyer 9 tip opening, check what that corresponds to on a tip opening chart. Do a google search for it.
D’Addario Select Jazz Mouthpiece D7M has for me the best sound..I also got JodyJazz Hr6*, what's real difference between mine and your HR7*? I'm a beginner so I'm also studying your free crash course PSBE, that's really amazing and instructive. Thanks Jay for all you do for us. God bless you.
I played in the 70's, (started at 14) 80's & 90's in my father's big band orchestra and was so lucky to learn sitting next to 2 WWII veterans who played sax in military bands. One loved his Conn and the other loved his Yamaha. Me personally, love my buescher top hat alto and buescher aristrocrat tenor. I am the second owner. The original owner owned a music store and repair shop. After the shop owner passed in the 70's, my dad was able to purchase the horns from his wife. Like you said, if you find a horn that inspires you, keep playing and enjoy!
I play a new Otto link out of the box I love the sound and it’s versatile. I’ve been changing reeds and ligatures like crazy trying to dial it in but it has a problem sealing and maybe this mouth piece is the issue. It makes reed placement tedious. I like the D’Addario
The Jody Jazz brings life to my tenor, which neither the V16 nor the Otto Link do. With Abelet ligature of course (I make them). The D'Addario seems interesting too.
Stumbled across this very curious about the V16. I play Jumbo Java T75. I finally got a used V16 T7 on a trade. It was a bit abused and has a cracked shank.....but MAN I was very happy with its freeness and projection. Not as bright or as crisp as the Jumbo Java T75 but surprisingly very very comparable to it. I dig it. Its an easy transition back and forth if I ever need a mellower tone without loosing the versatility all around the horn and on different styles. Im very happy with it. Now let's hope this Covid thing can get under control here in San Antonio Tx so I can get back to gigging. Thanks again Jay!!
Thanks for this great review, my D'addario just arrived and it's EXACTLY the mouthpiece I hoped it would be. I bought an 8, with a £25 Rovner dark ligature, my sax is a System 54 Powerbell. The mouthpiece is a free and easy relaxing blow, and the sound is "Fat and Dirty" as Christian said below. Perfect!
Oh man, that D'Addario sounded amazing. Love that sound man! You know any sax players that have that specific tone that I can listen to and get in my head to eventually play and sound like that?
I liked the D'addario mouthpiece sound the best, followed by the Vandoren, Jody Jazz, and Otto link I recently bought a Borb Oliver tenor mouthpiece off eBay for $85 that is a brass-plastic alloy called "brassmix" that has quickly become my favorite due to its ability to both project and retain a classic dark tone at the same time. It would be interesting to hear your take on these atypical mouthpieces.
For jazz I play a D'addario Jazz 7 Vandoren ZZ reeds with a Francois Louis Ultimate Ligature. For my concert set up is a Selmar C* Vandoren V21 reeds with a Rovner dark Ligature
I play an Otto Link on my soprano and a Jody Jazz on my alto. I got a tenorsax last year and i want to test these models there......they are unbeatable. Thank you for your work! Greetings from Germany.
Jay! Always love your vids. Another gem is the Yamaha 6C .. only $40 ... I jumped up from a 4C. People love the tone and I generally still suck. I’m trying to play about 6-8 hrs a week now. Those D’addario sound terrific man.
For sound, it comes down to how pronounced one wants the first harmonic to be in the low register. In the Link, it is intentionally suppressed. The Jody also is "mellow" in the low register. The other two have more pronounced overtones, and sound similar.
Been playing on Yami 4c since I started playing 2 years ago..time for an upgrade..D'addario sounds best..but for consistency I reckon Vandoren is my choice..
I’ve had a modern Meyer 5m for my alto for years and it is still one of my favorites, sadly it’s a bit small for me these days and being a poor college student I gotta have money so I’m selling since I got a super good deal on a Theo Wanne ny bros mouthpiece
I play on a vandoren V16 and good dark sound. Can play nice and soft or pretty loud but it does indeed lack a bit of edge and projection I feel. Changed up from a yamaha C4 which I started on but quickly (a couple of months) went to this mouthpiece. For learners where the saxophone is a second instrument (especially a second reed instrument) you'll want a better mouthpiece like one of these pretty soon after starting. Would love to try a theo wanne giai but can't really justify it at the moment.
Oh gosh, the drawer is full: I have a original Yanagisawa ebonite (came with my T880), an old Lawson silver no 7 (no baffle, big chamber), a Gary Sugal Super Gonz I in 8*, a Rafael Navarro Bop Boy metal in 7** and my latest addition which is the Ted Klum Florida ebonite in a 7*.
I got a new vintage Otto Link Hard Rubber Tone Edge 5* on Tenor. I noticed today that it does not pass the suction test. Then I pressed down on the reed with my thumb while sucking on the mouthpiece and it did pass the suction test. What does this tell me about what adjustment needs to be made with the piece? Then I noticed response and playability improved when I moved in the ligature up incrementally. Its a great piece. Immediate response, complex sound, power,. I am currenltly working to tame the high notes with it. The baffle calls for adjustments- Unlike the Yamaha 4C which plays evenly and effortlessly throughout the range of the horn (But the sound is not as jazzy).
I PLAY A MEYER 6 ON ALTO SAXOPHONE WITH A 3 SUPERIAL REED AND I LOVE IT, HOWEVER THE TENOR SAX IS NOT QUITE THE SAME . I HAVE A VANDOREN V 16 7 , MEYER 6 , JODY JAZZ STEEL 7 , VANDOREN T 75 BLUE MOUTHPIECE , AND I AM CONSTANTLY LOOKING FOR SOMETHING ELSE. I PLAY MARK VI SAXOPHONES .
Hi Jay, outstanding options! Great sound, thanks for the video! Could you show a comparison for darkest sound on tenor sax? Maybe trying in different horns the comparison: Jody Jazz Custom Dark x Theo Wanne Ambika What do you think? Tks again!
On my Tanner I play on the middle RG by Otto link. People tell me I sound like Coltrane when I play Coltrane and I sound like Gordon when I play Gordon
HI Jay. I am currently playing my metal otto link tone master 8* which I have used off and on throughout the years of playing. I have been using metal mouthpieces for the most part most of my career. Now I play a Yamaha yts62 tenor horn that is kind of bright and it's a little bright and while it was good for some of the bands that I have been involved in over the years, I was thinking of trying a rubber mouthpiece hoping to tone down the Yamaha a bit. I think I might try the Otto Link and I'll let you know how I make out with it. By the way, thanks or all your great videos and their content. I think they will help lots of people become better players.
Vandoren, because I'm looking for a brassier sound. Using an Otto link metal mouthpiece for that reason in preference to the Yamaha mouthpiece that came with it.
Thanks for posting this Jay. They all sound great. I have a HR link for my bari. Love the sound but too quiet for most things I do. Question. I’m looking for a tenor mouthpiece. Is that Vandoren loud enough for a loud band situation?
Love that Vandoren V16!! Im currently playing a Yamaha 4c with a Mendini tenor sax my wife bought me for my birthday almost 5 mos ago. Just struggling hitting those altisimo notes. But I get a descent sound on the middle and lower ranges of my horn
I've played a Bari gold mouthpiece with my Yamaha tenor sax. Tonight, when I went to play, I saw that the black piece that you rest your teeth on was missing. I am hoping that I can get a replacement piece for it as the Bari with a Legere reed really works for me.
Great video...At the moment I'm using Lakey, and Arnold Montgomery on Tenor. Maybe a future video on "boutique" companies might be nice...keep up the good work!
Late to the discussion, as usual, but issues with “stock” HR mpcs may have to do with exposure to excessive heat during storage and transport (as heat is a known sensitivity with HR mpcs). Manufacturers cannot control this. I can’t conclusively state that this is causing quality issues with the HR mpcs, but I've made a habit of not ordering HR mpcs, especially hand-crafted ones, during the summer months. (Ditto for re-facing HR mpcs.) The surface temperature of my concrete steps that the delivery package will sit on FOR SEVERAL HOURS can be over 140º in July/August. Why risk your luck exposing the HR mpc to these conditions?
I have a Dukoff D7 steel mouthpiece that I've played with forever. Unfortunately, my horn (Selmer Mark VI) has been sitting in the closet for about 15 years, so my embouchure can't handle that Dukoff just yet. I get the horn out, and sound so awful, I just put it away... I need a recommendation for a decent mouthpiece to "restart" my embouchure.
Hi Jay. Thanks for your videos. After years playing alto sax begining with a Meyer 8 medium chamber, now an Otto Link 6*, today I decided to try with tenor sax. My question is about the TIP number I should choose. Would you mind me telling me which one I should choose? Thanks in advance. My choice is between D'Addario and Vandoren.
Hi Brother I have very trouble of mouth picese tenor sax . because I have selmer sax super action . So I need advise which mouth pieces is good or much. Thank you so much
Hi Jay: I have had 4 lessons on a rented Buescher Tenor sax. I just purchased a Jean Paul TS 400 new from EBay. It hasn’t even been delivered yet. My sax teacher is amazed at my progress and especially at the quality of my tone. I played trumpet many years ago and haven’t touched it for 30 years. I know the JP will come with a mouthpiece but I am interested in playing old standards and blues and really enjoy the beautiful warm sounds of the tenor. I am nearly 82 years old now and am so confused about mouthpieces. Is there a mouthpiece you would recommend for the kind of music I like? I am starting to get the fingering down pretty well but still need to think about what keys to press for some of the sharps and flats. I know it will come in time and with practice. I have been doing some improvising in the C major scale with my teacher playing guitar licks for me to practice with. I have purchased your on line pentatonic scales and am working on that too. I practice for a bare minimum of an hour each day and sometimes 3 hours. I guess I feel at my age there is an urgency to learn as fast as I can as I have no idea how much time I may have. Any help or advice you can give will be greatly appreciated. Thanks old standards and
Thanks for the good info. I finally dragged my old tenor sax out after it sat in my basement for 20 years. I have a Buescher Aristocrat (I bought it in 1972) and I am still using the original mouthpiece that came with it. I'm having a good time just trying to get my skill level up to where it used to be. I just subscribed, so I will be looking for more info and advice!
Hey, Jay. Know this has been up a few years, but thanks again for another informative, well done video. With my aging ears (grin), I would go with the D'addario Jazz as my first choice and the Otto Link as a close 2nd. We all tend to have a differing perspective on what constitutes the "right" sound -- for me it tends towards the warmer, more mellow side. I generally play a Vandoren Java T75 on my Chateau 800 series tenor.
First off, great video and very timely for me. I have subscribed to your channel and even signed up for your free ear training course. I look forward to digging further into both very soon. As an aside, while I haven't been able to read through all of the comments yet so apologies if this is answered already but I would love to better understand how the different sizes impact playability. For example, the differences between Vandoren T6-T9 and Links 6* - 9*. I know they relate to different tip opening sizes but 100 mm or 115 mm don't mean anything to me...yet. Thanks in advance to anyone that can point me to where I can get more educated. Cheers!
Thanks for your comment. Tip opening is the distance between the reed and the tip of the mouthpiece. The larger it is, the further the reed has to travel when it vibrates. If you're starting out, go for a smaller tip opening and/or softer reeds.
I just got my HR V16 T6 today from Amazon and it played really easily. Thanks for doing this review as it was helpful in pointing me in the right direction for my mouthpiece choice. Best wishes in 2019 and looking forward to seeing more videos from you in the New Year. Cheers!
How does your Vandoren V16 T7 compare to the Vandoren Optimum TL3? I own a TL3 and a Selmer s80 c* and I personally find the TL3 having a better tone, while being easier to play.
The TL3 has a very closed tip opening compared to the T7. The mouthpieces you have are designed for more of a classical sax sound. The T7 is designed for jazz and more contemporary music.
the D"addario played the best. Full and rich. then the jody jazz. I have and play both and i think i get a bigger better sound with the the D"addario but it take a lot more air to play it. I can hit and play a low Bb on the Jody Jazz but can"t hold the note as long. Must be smaller chamber on the Jody. Did u find this to be true. Thanks great video Dick
I like the Vandoren. Is there a recommendation for an old Sax? I have a 1947 Conn Naked Lady and have a Meyer number 5. I may buy the Vandoren just to see how the sound may differ. In addition, I was curious how a vintage mouthpiece for a vintage instrument may be different, or better. Anyones thoughts would be helpful
The D’addario D7 is so rich and has a beautiful bottom.. I think I prefered this one. But the Vandoren T7 is brighter so maybe my favorite also If I am looking for this kind of sound... Also the Ligature, reed and the saxophone itself can change a lot the sound... So.. I still would like myself to try all of them,and check the combinations!... I think I just did not liked the Otto Link too much, cause the sound for boring a little bit .. but it is beautiful as well... “Better Sax” ,please ,could you tell witch one of them was “easier” to play?! .. You know like.. playing man even sound in the entire extension of the instrument, getting a Nice sound,playing in tune, and master?.. And what was the sax Brand you used? Thank you soo much! Also, greetings from Brazil !! :)
Hi! i have used the 5c for years now and i wanted to know it would be to hard for me to upgrade to the t7 since i cant get the t6 anywhere where i live! thanks in advance.
It will be a bit of a jump for you at first. Just use a softer reed when you try it out since there will be much more resistance due to the larger tip opening.
I purchased my mouthpieces at Woodwind Brasswind they will send as many as you would like of course you have to pay upfront they will refund your money when you return the mouthpieces. Not every every mouthpieces the same.
Hi Jay, I also noticed that you played a Jody Jazz HR mouthpiece in this video. I wanted to know if you have tried the metal mouthpieces especially the DV and DV Chicago from Jody Jazz? I am currently playing on the DV for Tenor Sax and the Super Jet for Tenor Sax. They are great mouthpieces. What is your opinion?
Thanks for the video Jay. I happen to own all of them but my daddario seems slimmer than Jody. Just wanna check is yours same in this way? Coz in your video it looks bigger than Jody.
I preferred the Link. I bought a Guardala Studio piece for AU$105 and used it for a while, but went back to my Greg Wier GW7 hard rubber, which gives me the dark subtones I'm looking for. They currently sell for about US$135 on his eBay site.
I concur with T.H. Woth on the Link. Don't waste your money on a standard Link!!! They're dead and stuffy. The Vintage Series "New Slant" is an infinitely better mouthpiece, and is still widely available for less than $200. They're usually decent out of the box, and if you get it worked on by a top refacer, it will stand toe to toe with a Florida Slant ($1k+ for a nice one). I dialed in my New Slant 8* myself (not recommended for the novice -- I've been working on mouthpieces for 30+ years), and I actually prefer it over my Florida USA Slant 8*, which has served as the template for most of the Link mods I've done over the last 20 years. That said, the D'Addario, to my ears, smokes the other 3. It's full, complex, and has an appealing grittiness to it that the other pieces lack.
Jeff, thanks for your comment. After this video was made, I had the TE refaced by Phil Engleman. It plays much better now. I'm currently playing his Intrepid 7* which is a great mouthpiece in the same vein. Yes, the D'addario is a great all around piece.
Hi Jay. Two weeks ago i got my new Jupiter tenorsaxophon 700q. Last week i ordered the Otto Link Toneedge.6*. What should i say ? It fits, it works, it sounds really good and its payable with 105.-€. The Jody Jazz sounds more "modern", the high notes are more easily to produce but i didnt want to pay the double price. Its astonishing what you can get for 105.-€......👍Thank you for your help.
Thank you for recommending also Tenor mouthpieces. I liked the D'Addario MKS-D7M most, although hard to decide, may be even, because it was the last one in your Video...I am still a beginner, playing a Yamaha YTS480 with an Expression 6 mouthpiece which is sufficient for me now, but in a year or so I may try the D'Addario, which costs 175€ @amazon Germany at the moment.
Klaus, Thanks for your comment. Listening back, I think I prefer the D'addario the most as well, although while playing, I don't get the same impression.
Hi Jay. I do agree with Bill below. The D'addario is great. But, the others are good too. However, the Link really does the job in your blues video. Thanks for all the great lessons.
I play the Otto Link Tone Edge 7* and also the 6* for my tenor and a 6* on my alto. Get along with them really great. They give me a beautiful dark and warm sound which is just what I look for. I have already smoothed down the table on each mpc just a little to get it perfectly smooth and flat - just what Jay suggested in the video! Really you shouldn't need to do this but I'll do whatever it takes. I also play a Selmer S90 -200 which is also a great sound. My standard reeds are now Legere Signature - a mix of strength 2 and 2 1/4 for both tenor and alto - got so frustrated with cane reeds and all the work needed to get them to work consistently well. I have bought a JodyJazz HR* 6* and hate it. Beautifully made but such an awful sound (tried it with my Legere, Jazz Select, Rico Royals, Vandoren ZZ and still no good). To me it is a compete waste of £150 so will be selling it, no doubt at a loss. If anyone knows a European stockist who lets you try mouthpieces and send back the ones you don't want then I (and no doubt many others) would love to know as I really dislike shelling out good money for something that just doesn't do it for me. Not yet played a Vandoren V16 T7 yet but, thanks to Jays video, is one I definitely want to try. Thanks Jay for the videos and help you give the sax community. I'm a member of your website and love your courses.
Paul, Thanks for the feedback. You can get the Vandoren V16 T7 off of Amazon.co.uk. they will have a great price, and I've never had a problem with returns. Pretty much no questions asked. There's a link in the description.
I've played trumpet for drum corps and have been wanting to get into the jazz game. Going to start learning the tenor sax! It's been years since i've been into music. It's great to be back. Awesome channel and awesome tips for beginners! I appreciate your hard work. Cheers
Tough decision but I'm going with the D'addario Select.
Times for comparing th 4 mps:
Otto link Tone Edge 3:54
Jody Jazz HR 7 6:54
Vandoren V16 T7 8:30
D'Addario Jazz D7 10:27
I have a Morgan 8LL, Otto Link Early Babbit, Selmer S80 C*, Conn Steely, 1966 Buffet that came with my Buffet tenor sax and an old Buescher that I paid 5 bucks for. I love them all but I always go back to the silly 5 dollar old Buescher. It's very similar to the selmer S80 C* but mellower in a good way.
Another mp to compare under 200 is the Semer Soloist which I've heard the vintage ones are great. Awesome video! Thanks Jay!!!
Bill, Thanks for posting the times. How do you do that?
Better Sax
I just listed the different times spaced out from their mp names in a row as normal text then they showed up as links to the same times in the video! It must be your magical greatness for spreading your good karma to the world with all of your awesome videos!
Bill Anderson it had the better sound I thought.
Better Sax he watched the whole vid😂😂
@@aidan4473 he meant the link to pressing the time to take you straight there hahaha.
The best advice: DO NOT get obsessed with buying gear just put all those browsing hours into practicing.
Only thing I would say that makes a huge difference no matter if it's a $40 or $1000 mouthpiece is when you get it buy a whole bunch of reeds in different brands and sizes and spend a week playing on different ones. I found reeds that played absolutely terrible on my cheaper mouthpieces sounded and played amazing on my higher end ones and same the other way around different reeds really like certain mouthpieces I never really understood that and just played around the mouthpiece and what I could afford in reeds. Changing up reeds really does make playing alot more fun when you find the right one it's not that hard ether and once you found one that pairs well you will know straight away.
Im just picking up the sax after 30+ years again. I decided that I better get a decent mouthpiece, IE, not a 30 bux one, picked a nice 100 bux Mayer with ligature. I think that should be a good learning platform. Beyond that, I shall work with what I have and not buy anything except new reeds :D
@@MichaelBruceTaos Meyer, that's the one I use too.
@@sergioropo3019 Oh nice! It should go well with my 1927 Buescher!
@@MichaelBruceTaos What? I've got a 1919 Buescher myself. A C tenor.
I know you said don't do this but I have been playing on my vintage super tone ottolink metal for years and was to scared to even try to adjust the table. I have a knife sharpening set with diamond plates up to 16000 grit. I got brave enough and flattened the table. Instant improvement. I've been missing out so much but even cooler I made that mouthpiece work without a flat table depending all the other things you talk about and now it's even easier!! So excited. This instrument is life time of learning something new everyday!
Hi, a great big thank you, after years of playing sax using the same mouthpiece I subscribed and watched your video, I purchased the D’ addario Select Jazz 6 and wow!!!
What a difference, I love my sound and went for the same mouthpiece for alto, with the same results. Your channel is packed with good positive info and tips.
Thanks again.
Great to hear this thanks.
For me, I liked your sound best in this order on this video: 1) Otto Link 2) D'Addario 3) Vandoren 4) Jody Jazz. If I had to blend with a section I think I'd choose the Vandoren first overall. Given your having to flatten the table on the Link, I'd be hesitant.
Thanks for the great video because I'm looking for my first upgrade.
UPDATE: Based on this video and a couple others I purchased the D'Addario #7. Thank you!
How are you liking the D'Addario #7?
It was recommended that I buy either an 8 or 7* tip opening (based on Otto Link) in order to get a "full tenor sound." After watching several videos and hearing a full sound on the D'Addario 7 (.105 tip = Link 7*) that's what I purchased. I'm very pleased and surprised that it's much easier to control than I expected and feel that I'm going to be able to make music with this mouthpiece and the right reed combo.
D'Addario Jazz D7 delivers and offers more than others. The delivered tone is richer, details are more sumptuous and complex, frequencies are not clipped (perhaps better material is used?), no nasal buzz as with Otto Link and Jody Jazz, and the sound can be moulded better. Vandoren V16 T7 is close second best. You confirmed my judgment, across many D'Addario demos I heard, that it is a very good mouthpiece indeed. Thank you, Jay.
Glad that helped you. I like those pieces a lot.
"nasal buzz".... that's a new phrase for me... and I wonder what that mean's exactly... I called the Link... a little "tubby"... on the low end... I wonder if that's what you meant? But now I think of it... yes I have noticed a vibration on some pieces that are more pronounced in the nasal part of your face as you are playing... interesting phrase... thanks for naming this... cool...
I have been playing the Meyer "5" (I believe) for the last 18 years and It has become my favorite mouth piece for my Tenor. I have played a lot of different ones over the years and none of them have compared to it.. Why do people feel that have to spend a lot of money to get a good mouthpiece? Better yet why do alot of these mouthpieces cost so much when the cheaper ones play equally as well or better?
I've been using that Yamaha for the past couple years, I was looking into getting the D'addario and now I'm definitely getting it. Great sound
I started with a Yamaha, then tried a Tone Edge 6...but then I got a Jody Jazz HR8* and it beat the others by a mile. To me the Jody Jazz felt like a turbo charger had been attached to my sax, but in a good way!
Angus, those 3 are quite different. Glad you found something that works well for the sound you're looking for.
I played on Link 7* for 40 years and found I just didn't have the air to fill it anymore. I just bought V16 T6 about three months ago and really love it. I play several styles too and find this one works for everything.
Robin, Thanks for sharing your setup. The V16s are definitely very versatile! What reeds are you using?
Vandoren V12 2-1/2 .First time ever playing matched mouthpieces on sop alto and tenor.
Hi Robin or Jay, can you explain why the T6 is easier to play, please :) I'm trying to understand how the different tip openings impact the ease of playing across the entire horn. Thank you!
That Vandoren V16 T7 has a really nice brightness to it.
That's the best
@@jazzforever7433 yeah, I use to play on a Vandoren v16 T7 they are great! i i did a review video on it check it out!
1:00 lmao I’m so bad at keeping up with upgrades. I switched to tenor 4+ years ago and still using my Yamaha 4C. Finally getting an upgrade soon!! Probably gonna go with the Otto Link
I got the Vandoren V16 (5 +) for my Alto after playing a Wolfe Tayne piece (7) for many years. It works for me !
I was playing HR* and have now moved to the Custom Dark. Very similar, but takes everything to a higher level,in tone and projection etc. Not by a massive amount, but the difference is there.
Christian Kattenstroth
Hi Jay, I liked the Jody Jazz as well as the Vandoren mouthpiece, but in your play the Jody Jazz and D'Addario Select sounded best to me. There was a little difference in the sound, Jody Jazz sounded more focused, whereas D'Addario had a more "fat" und "dirty" sound.
So keep goin', I like your sound very much*****!
Christian, Thanks! I think I'm going to have to play the D'addario more because it does sound great listening back.
I had a Tone Edge 7 and you are completely right- I couldn't project through a pit band very well. It sounds like the T7 for you is the easiest to play. D'Addario seems like a good halfway point between the Link and the Vandoren. Jodyjazz HR always just sounded kind of stuffy and artificial to me. Thank you for the video!
Thanks for the feedback Tony. What are you playing on now?
At the moment I play a Meyer 5 on my "The Martin" tenor :)
Ok cool. I just went back to my Meyer on alto after having it refaced and opened up to a 6. It’s amazing now. I’m going to do a video with it soon.
Wow, put the Vandoren in, and... wow again!! This is an AMAZING mouthpiece for me! It plays very easy, is a bit brighter than the D'Addario (which I like), and can really hit overtones well! The smoothest, most balanced one I've played. Sometimes you "think yourself" into liking something you just spent $$$ for, but this one almost immediately felt that it was THE mouthpiece for me. Loud, smooth, versatile, and relatively easy to blow and produce a variety of tones and overtones. Hands down the winner, though I'm keeping the D'Addario.
None of us have the same embochure techniques. It may sound good on him but not necessarily on you. Just saying as a thought. I have tried many moutpieces that people love and End up with the old ones. For some reason I always end up using a Yamaha 5C on my alto and my Otto on Tenor.
I really dig my vandoren V 16 7L . It’s dark and easy to play up and down the range . You rock Jay !
Hi Jay - Excellent video! I'm most impressed with the mellow and very rich old-school jazz sound you have with the Otto Link. In my recent quest for tenor pieces, I tried 8 of the top hard rubber mouthpiece brands -- some very spendy. I gave the D'Addario a lengthy trial and thought it was surprisingly nice, especially for the money. It was a bit brighter and a more contemporary sound than I'm after. I decided on the Jody Jazz HR 5* and am completely pleased with the tone, playability and overall performance. However, your tone on the Otto Link Tone Edge impresses me enough to order one to try. Again, a well done and very helpful video.
I play an out of the box Mayer 7 M plays beautifully .
I'm playing on a stock Otto link tone edge 7* (.106) that I pair with daddario select jazz 2H, on my Eastman 52nd street tenor, and I really like it alot (I've been playing on it for 2 years now)
Great setup.
The Tone Edge that you have is not the Modern Vintage version. The Modern Vintage is a Slant Signature series that costs around $155. I also have a defect with it but it doesn't affect the sound. In fact, it is my favorite HR mouthpiece. I'd play it more but it has a small bore and I need a new neck. Good Channel!!!
I see that they are now making a new model that is supposed to be like the old Slants. I'm going to try to get one of those to try. Thanks for the heads up.
Thanks to both! You guys are great!
Man I dig both your channels!!! Lot's of great reference material. Very un biased information always. Thanks you two!
awesome post, Jay - thanks for posting this. It's amazing how diverse those mouthpieces can sound. For me the Vandoren V16 and the D'Addario Jazz stood out from the others. They're both very different - the Vandoren sounded brighter and 'rockier' but the depth and full rounded sound of that D'Addario ... aiiii carumba!
Luvin, Thanks! Seems like lots of people prefer the sound of the D'addario. Me too I think...
I've been playing a YAS-32 with a Meyer 9 and love the sound. Then had a bad throat ... tenor was easier to blow so switched back to it :) It's a Yani TW020 with the stock Yani 6 mouthpiece - beautiful deep and mellow sound - I'm resisting the urge to splurge and buy another mouthpiece - I probably need to focus more on my own tone but would be interested to know if you' have had a chance to compare the D'addario Select 7 with an 8 to see if there's much difference? That said, if I do get another mouthpiece it will be for a rockier sound with a bit more bite so maybe something along the lines of a David Guardala ... AFTER I've worked on my own tone! Keep up the good work, sir :)
Luvin, I have not tried the 8, only the 7. I wouldn't mind having a more open version of that piece though. The 7 has a very immediate response so I think the 8 would still be very easy to play. If you're used to a Meyer 9 tip opening, check what that corresponds to on a tip opening chart. Do a google search for it.
D’Addario Select Jazz Mouthpiece D7M has for me the best sound..I also got JodyJazz Hr6*, what's real difference between mine and your HR7*? I'm a beginner so I'm also studying your free crash course PSBE, that's really amazing and instructive. Thanks Jay for all you do for us. God bless you.
I played in the 70's, (started at 14) 80's & 90's in my father's big band orchestra and was so lucky to learn sitting next to 2 WWII veterans who played sax in military bands. One loved his Conn and the other loved his Yamaha. Me personally, love my buescher top hat alto and buescher aristrocrat tenor. I am the second owner. The original owner owned a music store and repair shop. After the shop owner passed in the 70's, my dad was able to purchase the horns from his wife. Like you said, if you find a horn that inspires you, keep playing and enjoy!
I play a new Otto link out of the box
I love the sound and it’s versatile. I’ve been changing reeds and ligatures like crazy trying to dial it in but it has a problem sealing and maybe this mouth piece is the issue. It makes reed placement tedious.
I like the D’Addario
The Jody Jazz brings life to my tenor, which neither the V16 nor the Otto Link do. With Abelet ligature of course (I make them). The D'Addario seems interesting too.
Stumbled across this very curious about the V16. I play Jumbo Java T75. I finally got a used V16 T7 on a trade. It was a bit abused and has a cracked shank.....but MAN I was very happy with its freeness and projection. Not as bright or as crisp as the Jumbo Java T75 but surprisingly very very comparable to it. I dig it. Its an easy transition back and forth if I ever need a mellower tone without loosing the versatility all around the horn and on different styles. Im very happy with it.
Now let's hope this Covid thing can get under control here in San Antonio Tx so I can get back to gigging.
Thanks again Jay!!
Thanks for this great review, my D'addario just arrived and it's EXACTLY the mouthpiece I hoped it would be. I bought an 8, with a £25 Rovner dark ligature, my sax is a System 54 Powerbell. The mouthpiece is a free and easy relaxing blow, and the sound is "Fat and Dirty" as Christian said below. Perfect!
Otto Link. The others were a bit buzzy I thought. Lacked warmth. Thanks for this.
D’addario is my pick! I listen to and want to emulate Gene Ammons and that mouthpiece seemed to get closest to his sound to me.
Oh man, that D'Addario sounded amazing. Love that sound man! You know any sax players that have that specific tone that I can listen to and get in my head to eventually play and sound like that?
I liked the D'addario mouthpiece sound the best, followed by the Vandoren, Jody Jazz, and Otto link I recently bought a Borb Oliver tenor mouthpiece off eBay for $85 that is a brass-plastic alloy called "brassmix" that has quickly become my favorite due to its ability to both project and retain a classic dark tone at the same time. It would be interesting to hear your take on these atypical mouthpieces.
Interesting. I've never tried one.
Is that currently in production, or was that a "curiosity"?
For jazz I play a D'addario Jazz 7 Vandoren ZZ reeds with a Francois Louis Ultimate Ligature. For my concert set up is a Selmar C* Vandoren V21 reeds with a Rovner dark Ligature
I play on the Jody Jazz HR* 7* and it sounds so different to you. I play on a nice soft Vandoren ZZ 2.5
Is the Vandoren ZZ series good?
@@bobross7487 yeah i play on them! They are great! i did a review video on them check out my video!
Best sound for me is Otto, sound nearly same like my MeyerM8 after refacing
I play an Otto Link on my soprano and a Jody Jazz on my alto. I got a tenorsax last year and i want to test these models there......they are unbeatable. Thank you for your work! Greetings from Germany.
Another grate one is a selmer soloist c* you can find those any where from 150 to 220 dallers
Jay! Always love your vids. Another gem is the Yamaha 6C .. only $40 ... I jumped up from a 4C. People love the tone and I generally still suck. I’m trying to play about 6-8 hrs a week now. Those D’addario sound terrific man.
For sound, it comes down to how pronounced one wants the first harmonic to be in the low register. In the Link, it is intentionally suppressed. The Jody also is "mellow" in the low register. The other two have more pronounced overtones, and sound similar.
Been playing on Yami 4c since I started playing 2 years ago..time for an upgrade..D'addario sounds best..but for consistency I reckon Vandoren is my choice..
I’ve had a modern Meyer 5m for my alto for years and it is still one of my favorites, sadly it’s a bit small for me these days and being a poor college student I gotta have money so I’m selling since I got a super good deal on a Theo Wanne ny bros mouthpiece
Larry Mckenna play on a vintage otto link 6 hard Rubber with vandoren ZZ jazz 2.5.
So good.
I don't know man.....you sound like a million bucks on all of them, IMO.....
HAHa yeah!
I'm considering buying vandoren or d'addario. which one is warmer and has a better response in your opinion?
I like the D'Addario Select juzz D7 which give you rich and dark sound
Thanks Lan Lenny! That's a great mouthpiece.
I play on a vandoren V16 and good dark sound. Can play nice and soft or pretty loud but it does indeed lack a bit of edge and projection I feel. Changed up from a yamaha C4 which I started on but quickly (a couple of months) went to this mouthpiece. For learners where the saxophone is a second instrument (especially a second reed instrument) you'll want a better mouthpiece like one of these pretty soon after starting. Would love to try a theo wanne giai but can't really justify it at the moment.
Oh gosh, the drawer is full: I have a original Yanagisawa ebonite (came with my T880), an old Lawson silver no 7 (no baffle, big chamber), a Gary Sugal Super Gonz I in 8*, a Rafael Navarro Bop Boy metal in 7** and my latest addition which is the Ted Klum Florida ebonite in a 7*.
I got a new vintage Otto Link Hard Rubber Tone Edge 5* on Tenor. I noticed today that it does not pass the suction test. Then I pressed down on the reed with my thumb while sucking on the mouthpiece and it did pass the suction test. What does this tell me about what adjustment needs to be made with the piece? Then I noticed response and playability improved when I moved in the ligature up incrementally. Its a great piece. Immediate response, complex sound, power,. I am currenltly working to tame the high notes with it. The baffle calls for adjustments- Unlike the Yamaha 4C which plays evenly and effortlessly throughout the range of the horn (But the sound is not as jazzy).
I PLAY A MEYER 6 ON ALTO SAXOPHONE WITH A 3 SUPERIAL REED AND I LOVE IT, HOWEVER THE TENOR SAX IS NOT QUITE THE SAME . I HAVE A VANDOREN V 16 7 , MEYER 6 , JODY JAZZ STEEL 7 , VANDOREN T 75 BLUE MOUTHPIECE , AND I AM CONSTANTLY LOOKING FOR SOMETHING ELSE. I PLAY MARK VI SAXOPHONES .
Hi Jay, outstanding options! Great sound, thanks for the video!
Could you show a comparison for darkest sound on tenor sax?
Maybe trying in different horns the comparison: Jody Jazz Custom Dark x Theo Wanne Ambika
What do you think? Tks again!
On my Tanner I play on the middle RG by Otto link. People tell me I sound like Coltrane when I play Coltrane and I sound like Gordon when I play Gordon
HI Jay. I am currently playing my metal otto link tone master 8* which I have used off and on throughout the years of playing. I have been using metal mouthpieces for the most part most of my career. Now I play a Yamaha yts62 tenor horn that is kind of bright and it's a little bright and while it was good for some of the bands that I have been involved in over the years, I was thinking of trying a rubber mouthpiece hoping to tone down the Yamaha a bit. I think I might try the Otto Link and I'll let you know how I make out with it. By the way, thanks or all your great videos and their content. I think they will help lots of people become better players.
Vandoren, because I'm looking for a brassier sound. Using an Otto link metal mouthpiece for that reason in preference to the Yamaha mouthpiece that came with it.
What about Claude Lakeys? I have heard good about them
Thanks for posting this Jay. They all sound great. I have a HR link for my bari. Love the sound but too quiet for most things I do. Question. I’m looking for a tenor mouthpiece. Is that Vandoren loud enough for a loud band situation?
Love that Vandoren V16!! Im currently playing a Yamaha 4c with a Mendini tenor sax my wife bought me for my birthday almost 5 mos ago. Just struggling hitting those altisimo notes. But I get a descent sound on the middle and lower ranges of my horn
Philly, You will find that a harder reed helps get the high notes and altissimo notes to speak easier.
Better Sax Wow! I always thought the opposite, Glad you clarify that! A harder reed? Like a 3 or 3.5? Correct? Thank in advance!!
I've played a Bari gold mouthpiece with my Yamaha tenor sax. Tonight, when I went to play, I saw that the black piece that you rest your teeth on was missing. I am hoping that I can get a replacement piece for it as the Bari with a Legere reed really works for me.
You don't need the 'black piece' as you should not be biting onto mouth pieces. Use just your lips
Great video...At the moment I'm using Lakey, and Arnold Montgomery on Tenor. Maybe a future video on "boutique" companies might be nice...keep up the good work!
I'm going to be doing some reviews of those mouthpieces, I just need to get my hands on them. They're expensive!
Late to the discussion, as usual, but issues with “stock” HR mpcs may have to do with exposure to excessive heat during storage and transport (as heat is a known sensitivity with HR mpcs). Manufacturers cannot control this. I can’t conclusively state that this is causing quality issues with the HR mpcs, but I've made a habit of not ordering HR mpcs, especially hand-crafted ones, during the summer months. (Ditto for re-facing HR mpcs.) The surface temperature of my concrete steps that the delivery package will sit on FOR SEVERAL HOURS can be over 140º in July/August. Why risk your luck exposing the HR mpc to these conditions?
Hi Jay. Great vid. Very helpful. Kinda like the Tone Edge and the Select Jazz mouthpieces.
Thanks for the feedback!
I have a Dukoff D7 steel mouthpiece that I've played with forever. Unfortunately, my horn (Selmer Mark VI) has been sitting in the closet for about 15 years, so my embouchure can't handle that Dukoff just yet. I get the horn out, and sound so awful, I just put it away... I need a recommendation for a decent mouthpiece to "restart" my embouchure.
Thanks for this comparison! Did you have any chance to compare the Anello mouthpiece with the mouthpieces in the video?
8:23 "T-Series"
Hi Jay. Thanks for your videos. After years playing alto sax begining with a Meyer 8 medium chamber, now an Otto Link 6*, today I decided to try with tenor sax. My question is about the TIP number I should choose. Would you mind me telling me which one I should choose? Thanks in advance. My choice is between D'Addario and Vandoren.
Hi Brother I have very trouble of mouth picese tenor sax . because I have selmer sax super action . So I need advise which mouth pieces is good or much. Thank you so much
Hi Jay: I have had 4 lessons on a rented Buescher Tenor sax. I just purchased a Jean Paul TS 400 new from EBay. It hasn’t even been delivered yet. My sax teacher is amazed at my progress and especially at the quality of my tone. I played trumpet many years ago and haven’t touched it for 30 years. I know the JP will come with a mouthpiece but I am interested in playing old standards and blues and really enjoy the beautiful warm sounds of the tenor. I am nearly 82 years old now and am so confused about mouthpieces. Is there a mouthpiece you would recommend for the kind of music I like? I am starting to get the fingering down pretty well but still need to think about what keys to press for some of the sharps and flats. I know it will come in time and with practice. I have been doing some improvising in the C major scale with my teacher playing guitar licks for me to practice with. I have purchased your on line pentatonic scales and am working on that too. I practice for a bare minimum of an hour each day and sometimes 3 hours. I guess I feel at my age there is an urgency to learn as fast as I can as I have no idea how much time I may have. Any help or advice you can give will be greatly appreciated. Thanks
old standards and
Thanks for the good info. I finally dragged my old tenor sax out after it sat in my basement for 20 years. I have a Buescher Aristocrat (I bought it in 1972) and I am still using the original mouthpiece that came with it. I'm having a good time just trying to get my skill level up to where it used to be. I just subscribed, so I will be looking for more info and advice!
I'm doing the same thing, in the basement. Haven't played since 1970. But am learning all over again.
Hey, Jay. Know this has been up a few years, but thanks again for another informative, well done video. With my aging ears (grin), I would go with the D'addario Jazz as my first choice and the Otto Link as a close 2nd. We all tend to have a differing perspective on what constitutes the "right" sound -- for me it tends towards the warmer, more mellow side. I generally play a Vandoren Java T75 on my Chateau 800 series tenor.
I tino you get a better sound on the Vandoren.
Why not play the Yamaha 5C also?
First off, great video and very timely for me. I have subscribed to your channel and even signed up for your free ear training course. I look forward to digging further into both very soon. As an aside, while I haven't been able to read through all of the comments yet so apologies if this is answered already but I would love to better understand how the different sizes impact playability. For example, the differences between Vandoren T6-T9 and Links 6* - 9*. I know they relate to different tip opening sizes but 100 mm or 115 mm don't mean anything to me...yet. Thanks in advance to anyone that can point me to where I can get more educated. Cheers!
Thanks for your comment. Tip opening is the distance between the reed and the tip of the mouthpiece. The larger it is, the further the reed has to travel when it vibrates. If you're starting out, go for a smaller tip opening and/or softer reeds.
Thanks Jay, I really appreciate your quick reply.
I just got my HR V16 T6 today from Amazon and it played really easily. Thanks for doing this review as it was helpful in pointing me in the right direction for my mouthpiece choice. Best wishes in 2019 and looking forward to seeing more videos from you in the New Year. Cheers!
How does your Vandoren V16 T7 compare to the Vandoren Optimum TL3? I own a TL3 and a Selmer s80 c* and I personally find the TL3 having a better tone, while being easier to play.
The TL3 has a very closed tip opening compared to the T7. The mouthpieces you have are designed for more of a classical sax sound. The T7 is designed for jazz and more contemporary music.
the D"addario played the best. Full and rich. then the jody jazz. I have and play both and i think i get a bigger better sound with the the D"addario but it take a lot more air to play it. I can hit and play a low Bb on the Jody Jazz but can"t hold the note as long. Must be smaller chamber on the Jody. Did u find this to be true. Thanks great video Dick
if you think the d,addaario takes lots of air try a drake bergonzi wich takes 4 times more air ,to play it
Hii, what is the difference of high baffled mouthpiece compared to non baffled mouthpiece
Love the D'Adario Select Jazz D7*
I like the Vandoren. Is there a recommendation for an old Sax? I have a 1947 Conn Naked Lady and have a Meyer number 5. I may buy the Vandoren just to see how the sound may differ. In addition, I was curious how a vintage mouthpiece for a vintage instrument may be different, or better. Anyones thoughts would be helpful
The D’addario D7 is so rich and has a beautiful bottom.. I think I prefered this one. But the Vandoren T7 is brighter so maybe my favorite also If I am looking for this kind of sound... Also the Ligature, reed and the saxophone itself can change a lot the sound...
So.. I still would like myself to try all of them,and check the combinations!...
I think I just did not liked the Otto Link too much, cause the sound for boring a little bit .. but it is beautiful as well...
“Better Sax” ,please ,could you tell witch one of them was “easier” to play?! .. You know like.. playing man even sound in the entire extension of the instrument, getting a Nice sound,playing in tune, and master?.. And what was the sax Brand you used?
Thank you soo much! Also, greetings from Brazil !! :)
Hi! i have used the 5c for years now and i wanted to know it would be to hard for me to upgrade to the t7 since i cant get the t6 anywhere where i live! thanks in advance.
It will be a bit of a jump for you at first. Just use a softer reed when you try it out since there will be much more resistance due to the larger tip opening.
Please, make a Meyer tenor mouthpiece review.
I purchased my mouthpieces at Woodwind Brasswind they will send as many as you would like of course you have to pay upfront they will refund your money when you return the mouthpieces. Not every every mouthpieces the same.
Hi Jay, I also noticed that you played a Jody Jazz HR mouthpiece in this video. I wanted to know if you have tried the metal mouthpieces especially the DV and DV Chicago from Jody Jazz? I am currently playing on the DV for Tenor Sax and the Super Jet for Tenor Sax. They are great mouthpieces. What is your opinion?
Salvadore, I have not tried the metal Jody Jazz pieces. I will definitely try to get my hands on them soon though.
jay,
vote for the D'addario...rich sound.
Thanks for the video Jay. I happen to own all of them but my daddario seems slimmer than Jody. Just wanna check is yours same in this way? Coz in your video it looks bigger than Jody.
Hey Jay. How about a list of the mpcs that are problems for you so I and the rest of us can avoid them? I know it's totally subjective but so what?
the thing is, everyone is different. Just because a mouthpiece doesn't work for me personally doesn't mean it won't be the best fit for someone else.
I bought a used Otto Link STM 8 tenor mouthpiece on Ebay for $129. Do you think that was a good deal?
I preferred the Link.
I bought a Guardala Studio piece for AU$105 and used it for a while, but went back to my Greg Wier GW7 hard rubber, which gives me the dark subtones I'm looking for. They currently sell for about US$135 on his eBay site.
Thanks for the comment.
The Vandoren literally gave me chills. Love it.
Yeah same love the Vandoren
My choice too. I am just an amateur.
Vandoren for me. Maybe because my usual mp is the metal V16!
Alexander, I have a couple metal vandorens as well including the V16. I like them a lot too, but I feel more comfortable on the HR mouthpieces.
I concur with T.H. Woth on the Link. Don't waste your money on a standard Link!!! They're dead and stuffy. The Vintage Series "New Slant" is an infinitely better mouthpiece, and is still widely available for less than $200. They're usually decent out of the box, and if you get it worked on by a top refacer, it will stand toe to toe with a Florida Slant ($1k+ for a nice one). I dialed in my New Slant 8* myself (not recommended for the novice -- I've been working on mouthpieces for 30+ years), and I actually prefer it over my Florida USA Slant 8*, which has served as the template for most of the Link mods I've done over the last 20 years. That said, the D'Addario, to my ears, smokes the other 3. It's full, complex, and has an appealing grittiness to it that the other pieces lack.
Jeff, thanks for your comment. After this video was made, I had the TE refaced by Phil Engleman. It plays much better now. I'm currently playing his Intrepid 7* which is a great mouthpiece in the same vein. Yes, the D'addario is a great all around piece.
If I play clarinet should I get the more expensive mouth piece
Jody Jazz HR 7
Hi Jay. Two weeks ago i got my new Jupiter tenorsaxophon 700q. Last week i ordered the Otto Link Toneedge.6*. What should i say ? It fits, it works, it sounds really good and its payable with 105.-€. The Jody Jazz sounds more "modern", the high notes are more easily to produce but i didnt want to pay the double price. Its astonishing what you can get for 105.-€......👍Thank you for your help.
Thank you for recommending also Tenor mouthpieces. I liked the D'Addario MKS-D7M most, although hard to decide, may be even, because it was the last one in your Video...I am still a beginner, playing a Yamaha YTS480 with an Expression 6 mouthpiece which is sufficient for me now, but in a year or so I may try the D'Addario, which costs 175€ @amazon Germany at the moment.
Klaus, Thanks for your comment. Listening back, I think I prefer the D'addario the most as well, although while playing, I don't get the same impression.
Hey quick noob question, is the inside diameter of the mouthpiece that goes onto the sax are all the same ?
Hi Jay. I do agree with Bill below. The D'addario is great. But, the others are good too. However, the Link really does the job in your blues video. Thanks for all the great lessons.
Thanks! Any one of those can do the job. Just a matter of what you prefer at the time.
My choice is the Jody Jazz. But I am biased. That’s all I play on both my tenor and alto. Thanks for the comparison Jay.
Master JJ HR* 7* is for beginners?
I play the Otto Link Tone Edge 7* and also the 6* for my tenor and a 6* on my alto. Get along with them really great. They give me a beautiful dark and warm sound which is just what I look for. I have already smoothed down the table on each mpc just a little to get it perfectly smooth and flat - just what Jay suggested in the video! Really you shouldn't need to do this but I'll do whatever it takes. I also play a Selmer S90 -200 which is also a great sound. My standard reeds are now Legere Signature - a mix of strength 2 and 2 1/4 for both tenor and alto - got so frustrated with cane reeds and all the work needed to get them to work consistently well.
I have bought a JodyJazz HR* 6* and hate it. Beautifully made but such an awful sound (tried it with my Legere, Jazz Select, Rico Royals, Vandoren ZZ and still no good). To me it is a compete waste of £150 so will be selling it, no doubt at a loss.
If anyone knows a European stockist who lets you try mouthpieces and send back the ones you don't want then I (and no doubt many others) would love to know as I really dislike shelling out good money for something that just doesn't do it for me.
Not yet played a Vandoren V16 T7 yet but, thanks to Jays video, is one I definitely want to try.
Thanks Jay for the videos and help you give the sax community. I'm a member of your website and love your courses.
Paul, Thanks for the feedback. You can get the Vandoren V16 T7 off of Amazon.co.uk. they will have a great price, and I've never had a problem with returns. Pretty much no questions asked. There's a link in the description.
I've played trumpet for drum corps and have been wanting to get into the jazz game. Going to start learning the tenor sax! It's been years since i've been into music. It's great to be back. Awesome channel and awesome tips for beginners! I appreciate your hard work. Cheers