I am a clarinetist and I am wanting to know the best mouthpiece for 
soprano saxophone.  I know this is highly subjective but I'm asking for 
my needs based on the information I'm about to give.  I played on a 
soprano saxophone in 1992 at a music convention.  What I liked about the 
mouthpiece I played on was that I could articulate very well.

I have a Pyne "S" series mouthpiece for my Bb Clarinet and a Vandoren 
5RV for my Eb Clarinet.  Based on what I've just told you, what is the 
best mouthpiece for me for sorpano saxophone.  I don't know wanting to 
pay more than $55 for a mouthpiece for soprano saxophone.  I'm not an 
entertainer so I wouldn't need a special jazz mouthpiece for special 
effects.

Looking forward to hearing from you all.

Omg! Omg!!! You are right a $55 soprano mouthpiece is the best choice 
for you. My best regards,

Dan

--- In MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com, "Bro. Luby D. Jackson" 
<ldjackson@...> wrote:
>
> I am a clarinetist and I am wanting to know the best mouthpiece for 
> soprano saxophone.  I know this is highly subjective but I'm asking 
for 
> my needs based on the information I'm about to give.  I played on a 
> soprano saxophone in 1992 at a music convention.  What I liked 
about the 
> mouthpiece I played on was that I could articulate very well.
> 
> I have a Pyne "S" series mouthpiece for my Bb Clarinet and a 
Vandoren 
> 5RV for my Eb Clarinet.  Based on what I've just told you, what is 
the 
> best mouthpiece for me for sorpano saxophone.  I don't know wanting 
to 
> pay more than $55 for a mouthpiece for soprano saxophone.  I'm not 
an 
> entertainer so I wouldn't need a special jazz mouthpiece for 
special 
> effects.
> 
> Looking forward to hearing from you all.
>

[ Attachment content not displayed ]

I presume Bro. Jackson doesn't recall the mouthpiece that articulated very
well, unfortunately.

The Graftonite Rico mouthpieces were around $16 last time I looked. Quite
inexpensive.  They are black, and are available in 3 different chamber sizes
and 3 or 4 different facings.  I have no idea how they compare to the
clarinet mouthpieces mentioned, though.

The gray Rico pieces were the so-called "Metallite", which were pieces with
a high baffle and more edge to the tone - and they have not been off the
market for a few years now.

Barry

> For that price, I think you may be able to find one of the graftonite pieces
> that Arnold Brilhart designed for Rico. They come in black or gray and
> probably a medium facing would fit your needs.  John
> 
> On 9/6/08, Bro. Luby D. Jackson <ldjackson@...> wrote:
>> 
>> I am a clarinetist and I am wanting to know the best mouthpiece for
>> soprano saxophone.  I know this is highly subjective but I'm asking for my
>> needs based on the information I'm about to give.  I played on a soprano
>> saxophone in 1992 at a music convention.  What I liked about the mouthpiece
>> I played on was that I could articulate very well.
>> 
>> I have a Pyne "S" series mouthpiece for my Bb Clarinet and a Vandoren 5RV
>> for my Eb Clarinet.  Based on what I've just told you, what is the best
>> mouthpiece for me for sorpano saxophone.  I don't know wanting to pay more
>> than $55 for a mouthpiece for soprano saxophone.  I'm not an entertainer so
>> I wouldn't need a special jazz mouthpiece for special effects.
>> 
>> Looking forward to hearing from you all.
>> 
>> 
> 

My experience with the Ricos... The Graftonite is the black, the Metalite is the silver-gray.  The Graftonite had a too large chamber which resulted in poor octave to octave intonation on every soprano I tried them on.  The Metalite was a high baffle version, and while slightly better, was also problematic as far as intonation.  
   
  The  BARI Associates mouthpiece is moderately priced.  Sometimes you can find a Bundy, which is a surprisingly good mouthpiece.  With the Bundy, get the #4 facing.
   
  The Runyon Custom is about $65 or so.  In that model I would suggest the #6 facing for you.  The Custom was played by Grover Washington, Jr, and is played by Ernie Watts.  A good all around mouthpiece.  Good projection without being edgy.  Good intonation.  While the mouthpiece looks small, the chamber is of medium size. I've suggested the Custom #6 with 2-2 1/2 Fibracell reed to many players just starting soprano sax, and they have been successful.  Later you may go on to other mouthpieces, but this is a good workable setup.
   
  You do not want too close tip opening.  Soprano sax is not the same as clarinet.  Soprano sax requires a somewhat larger facing and softer reed as compared to clarinet.  A tip opening typical of clarinet, .039"-.045", would be considered very close for soprano sax.  A soprano medium facing would be .050"-.055".  I think you would find  most soprano sax players using .060"-.065", and some players larger than that.
   
  Paul Coats




Link to Paul's articles from Main page of "Saxgourmet":
		http://www.saxgourmet.com
Listen to Paul's MP3's and view saxophone photos at:
           http://briefcase.yahoo.com/tenorman1952

Paul Coats is the sole US importer of SAXRAX products from 
http://www.saxrax.com 
For SAXRAX products, email Paul at saxraxus@...
       

Yamaha makes an inexpensive and responsive soprano mouthpiece.

Bill Hausmann

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is TOO LOUD!

--- On Sat, 9/6/08, Bro. Luby D. Jackson <ldjackson@...> wrote:

From: Bro. Luby D. Jackson <ldjackson@...>
Subject: [MouthpieceWork] Soprano Saxophone Mouthpieces
To: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
Date: Saturday, September 6, 2008, 12:29 AM


I am a clarinetist and I am wanting to know the best mouthpiece for soprano saxophone.  I know this is highly subjective but I'm asking for my needs based on the information I'm about to give.  I played on a soprano saxophone in 1992 at a music convention.  What I liked about the mouthpiece I played on was that I could articulate very well.

I have a Pyne "S" series mouthpiece for my Bb Clarinet and a Vandoren 5RV for my Eb Clarinet.  Based on what I've just told you, what is the best mouthpiece for me for sorpano saxophone.  I don't know wanting to pay more than $55 for a mouthpiece for soprano saxophone.  I'm not an entertainer so I wouldn't need a special jazz mouthpiece for special effects.

Looking forward to hearing from you all.
 


      

I want to echo Paul's comments about the Runyon Custom. I've used one for
many years (refaced by Paul) with great results. I own about twenty
different soprano mouthpieces, but always seem to go back to the Custom.

  _____  

From: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com [mailto:MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of Paul C.
Sent: Saturday, September 06, 2008 9:02 AM
To: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [MouthpieceWork] Soprano Saxophone Mouthpieces




My experience with the Ricos... The Graftonite is the black, the Metalite is
the silver-gray.  The Graftonite had a too large chamber which resulted in
poor octave to octave intonation on every soprano I tried them on.  The
Metalite was a high baffle version, and while slightly better, was also
problematic as far as intonation.  
 
The  BARI Associates mouthpiece is moderately priced.  Sometimes you can
find a Bundy, which is a surprisingly good mouthpiece.  With the Bundy, get
the #4 facing.
 
The Runyon Custom is about $65 or so.  In that model I would suggest the #6
facing for you.  The Custom was played by Grover Washington, Jr, and is
played by Ernie Watts.  A good all around mouthpiece.  Good projection
without being edgy.  Good intonation.  While the mouthpiece looks small, the
chamber is of medium size. I've suggested the Custom #6 with 2-2 1/2
Fibracell reed to many players just starting soprano sax, and they have been
successful.  Later you may go on to other mouthpieces, but this is a good
workable setup.
 
You do not want too close tip opening.  Soprano sax is not the same as
clarinet.  Soprano sax requires a somewhat larger facing and softer reed as
compared to clarinet.  A tip opening typical of clarinet, .039"-.045", would
be considered very close for soprano sax.  A soprano medium facing would be
.050"-.055".  I think you would find  most soprano sax players using
.060"-.065", and some players larger than that.
 
Paul Coats




Link to Paul's articles from Main page of "Saxgourmet":
http://www.saxgourmet.com
Listen to Paul's MP3's and view saxophone photos at:
http://briefcase.yahoo.com/tenorman1952

Paul Coats is the sole US importer of SAXRAX products from 
http://www.saxrax.com 
For SAXRAX products, email Paul at saxraxus@... 

 

Ditto...I struggled for a long time with soprano
mouthpieces.
Paul suggested the Runyon...tweaked the facing & I'm a
happy camper!

Tom

---  STEVE GOODSON <saxgourmet@...> wrote:

> I want to echo Paul's comments about the Runyon
> Custom. I've used one for
> many years (refaced by Paul) with great results. I
> own about twenty
> different soprano mouthpieces, but always seem to go
> back to the Custom.
> 
>   _____  
> 
> From: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com]
> On Behalf Of Paul C.
> Sent: Saturday, September 06, 2008 9:02 AM
> To: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [MouthpieceWork] Soprano Saxophone
> Mouthpieces
> 
> 
> 
> 
> My experience with the Ricos... The Graftonite is
> the black, the Metalite is
> the silver-gray.  The Graftonite had a too large
> chamber which resulted in
> poor octave to octave intonation on every soprano I
> tried them on.  The
> Metalite was a high baffle version, and while
> slightly better, was also
> problematic as far as intonation.  
>  
> The  BARI Associates mouthpiece is moderately
> priced.  Sometimes you can
> find a Bundy, which is a surprisingly good
> mouthpiece.  With the Bundy, get
> the #4 facing.
>  
> The Runyon Custom is about $65 or so.  In that model
> I would suggest the #6
> facing for you.  The Custom was played by Grover
> Washington, Jr, and is
> played by Ernie Watts.  A good all around
> mouthpiece.  Good projection
> without being edgy.  Good intonation.  While the
> mouthpiece looks small, the
> chamber is of medium size. I've suggested the Custom
> #6 with 2-2 1/2
> Fibracell reed to many players just starting soprano
> sax, and they have been
> successful.  Later you may go on to other
> mouthpieces, but this is a good
> workable setup.
>  
> You do not want too close tip opening.  Soprano sax
> is not the same as
> clarinet.  Soprano sax requires a somewhat larger
> facing and softer reed as
> compared to clarinet.  A tip opening typical of
> clarinet, .039"-.045", would
> be considered very close for soprano sax.  A soprano
> medium facing would be
> .050"-.055".  I think you would find  most soprano
> sax players using
> .060"-.065", and some players larger than that.
>  
> Paul Coats
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Link to Paul's articles from Main page of
> "Saxgourmet":
> http://www.saxgourmet.com
> Listen to Paul's MP3's and view saxophone photos at:
> http://briefcase.yahoo.com/tenorman1952
> 
> Paul Coats is the sole US importer of SAXRAX
> products from 
> http://www.saxrax.com 
> For SAXRAX products, email Paul at
> saxraxus@... 
> 
>  
>