Roll call ------ What's your set up -- Sax Forum

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Date Posted: 21:30:38 11/01/03 Sat
Author: Keith
Author Host/IP: nr25-66-42-165-238.fuse.net / 66.42.165.238
Subject: Roll call ------ What's your set up

I want to have some idea on what HK saxophonists play.

My equipments:
Horns
Late Mark VI alto
King SilverSonic alto

MPC
Meyer 6MM
Ponzol M1 85

Ligature
Rover MK III
VanDoren Optimum

Reed
Rico orange box 3.5, 3
Vandoren traditional 3

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Replies:

[> Re: Roll call ------ What's your set up -- Jeremy, 23:11:26 11/06/03 Thu [1] (cm203-168-166-86.hkcable.com.hk/203.168.166.86)

My equipments:
Horns
Yanagisawa A992
Yanagisawa S9030

MPC
Selmer Alto Classique D
ESM #7 Alt Classic

Ligature
Vandoren Optimum
BG Traditional

Reeds
Vandoren Java 2.5
Vandoren V16

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[> Re: Roll call ------ What's your set up -- Joe, 04:37:23 11/07/03 Fri [1] (pcd639090.netvigator.com/218.102.171.90)

Horn: 1968 mark 6 Alto
MPC : 1) Selmer jazz metal 'E' (Ori. Lig.)
2) Selmer soloist 'D' (Ori. Lig.)
3) Claude Lakey rubber 5*3 (Rover light)
Reed: Vandoren 2 and 2 1/2

Horn: Yanagisawa curved soprano SC901
MPC : Dukoff D7 (Rover Lig.)
Reed: Hemke 2 1/2 and Vandoren 2

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[> Re: Roll call ------ What's your set up -- Keith, 11:24:33 11/07/03 Fri [1] (nr25-66-42-163-79.fuse.net/66.42.163.79)

You guys use some very soft reeds. Does that affect your altissimo playing? Jeremy what plate do you use with the optimum lig?

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[> Re: Roll call ------ What's your set up -- mark, 11:39:06 11/07/03 Fri [1] (NoHost/202.73.1.98)

Horn: Toyama Alto, claimed made in Vietnam

MPC : 1) Hemre plastic (Ori. claimed made in USA,)
2) Yamaha stock plastic 3C and 4C

Reed: Vandoren 2 and Rico 2 1/2

Ligature: Ori. Lig and no brand lig bought for $38 at
Tsang Fook

In one word, cheap setup...as cheap as you can imagine.

May I comment on my set up?

I think it is not the set up that matters but the person blowing that matters, the feel of the music matters. My set up serves me OK.

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[> Re: Roll call ------ What's your set up -- Joe, 16:43:15 11/07/03 Fri [1] (imsbbcache09.netvigator.com/219.76.96.9)

No problem. Even play 'High G' to 'High C' is OK. Thin reed is easy to play. I like it!

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[> Re: Roll call ------ What's your set up -- Keith, 16:44:29 11/07/03 Fri [1] (nr25-66-42-165-232.fuse.net/66.42.165.232)

Mark

I agree with you totally. However, If you use Yamaha 4C which is a very closed MPC (even more so with the 3C) and reed as soft as 2, 2.5 you just can't fully utilize your chop. I started on a stock Yamaha MPC and 2.5 reeds. In just about 3 months I had to switch to #3 reeds, because the reed is closing up all the time. I don't know how good of a player you are, but I am sure you can get better sound and improve your chop at the same time with a proper set up. It doesn't have to be an expensive setup. You just need to get something that goes well together. Soft and close facing MPC just won't cut it.

I like to use something just a little bit more challenging. I feel the most comfortable when using Meyer 6MM and 3.5 reeds. However, sometimes I will use a more open MPC and harder reeds just give my chop a work out.

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[> Re: Roll call ------ What's your set up -- Keith, 17:08:25 11/07/03 Fri [1] (nr25-66-42-165-232.fuse.net/66.42.165.232)

Joe do you mean you play altissimo G to C? What happen to F#3 and other notes that's above C4. Anyway you must have a monster chop to be able to play G3 to C4 on that small of facing and soft reed. How long have you been playing? Have you try harder reeds do you feel you get get the altissimo notes easier?

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[> Re: Roll call ------ What's your set up -- Keith, 17:21:21 11/07/03 Fri [1] (nr25-66-42-165-232.fuse.net/66.42.165.232)

I mean chop(s) in the above posts. I guess it's getting late and I better go to sleep. It's 3:07 here.

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[> Re: Roll call ------ What's your set up -- whatever, 19:14:56 11/07/03 Fri [1] (wye-kc-207.wye.ic.ac.uk/195.194.228.42)

i am using a Conn 10M Ladyface, nice and easy

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[> Re: Roll call ------ What's your set up -- Jeremy, 00:17:55 11/08/03 Sat [1] (cm203-168-166-86.hkcable.com.hk/203.168.166.86)

Keith,I use plate no.1,which suit my horn very well.

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[> Re: Roll call ------ What's your set up -- mark, 11:23:21 11/08/03 Sat [1] (cm218-254-14-114.hkcable.com.hk/218.254.14.114)

Thank you Keith.

I noticed your clock is different from mine (I am in Hong Kong.) Where are you?

Am I in the wrong forum? I am not a professional. Is this a forum for professionals? I just play sax to entertain myself. 'High G' to 'High C' on a alto???? I don't even know the fingering (not in the book nor on the web!) The best I can do is high F#, that is a little over 2 octaves range.

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[> Re: Roll call ------ What's your set up -- Keith, 16:27:47 11/08/03 Sat [1] (nr25-66-42-160-187.fuse.net/66.42.160.187)

Mark

I am in the States right now. I am not a professional either. I just want to share what I know to the fellow sax player, as I would like people share their knowledge with me. If I offended you in any way, I apologise.

Sorry I missunderstood you I thought you meant you can play G3 to C4. That's what altissimo means. Notes that are above the normal range.

Anyway, you may want to consider using harder reeds or get a more open MPC. Just my 2 cents worth.

Again I apologise if I offended you, because here in the States some players do have those monster chops to play altissimo with soft reed and close MPC. No hard feelings?

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[> Re: Roll call ------ What's your set up -- Keith, 16:32:21 11/08/03 Sat [1] (nr25-66-42-160-187.fuse.net/66.42.160.187)

Jere

I use plate #1 with my optimum too. I have spoke to many players and the majority of them use the #1 plate. I think they should just sell the damn thing with plate 1 and save us a few bucks. The should sell the other plates separately. Do you think so?

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[> Re: Roll call ------ What's your set up -- Keith, 16:36:55 11/08/03 Sat [1] (nr25-66-42-160-187.fuse.net/66.42.160.187)

Whatever

The conn is a very nice horn. What Mpc and reed do you use with it? What kind of sound are you going for?

I also have a question for players who live in HK. Where can you get vintage horns in HK. MKVI is pretty common in every part of the world, but where can you get a Conn or King or other vintage makes?

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[> Re: Roll call ------ What's your set up -- Keith, 16:41:44 11/08/03 Sat [1] (nr25-66-42-160-187.fuse.net/66.42.160.187)

I've just noticed that I have confused the message from joe with the message form Mark. My apologise!!

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[> Re: Roll call ------ What's your set up -- whatever, 12:31:54 11/09/03 Sun [1] (NoHost/193.129.76.82)

Keith,

I get my horn from ebay UK, cos now I am in UK....I am pleased with Conn's easyness of blowing, Jazzy is what I really want, and it is part of my reason to switch to a tenor, I played alto before YAS32. Alto is a bit too normal or boring...tenors can simply use the word fluctuating...I am using a mouthpiece made in China, I think the company is making it similar to selmer's....
honestly, my horn needs a overhaul...so tell you the real story after that...but maybe need to wait couple of months...finding a gd place to do overhaul, u have any gd suggestions? I wanna keep the price lowwww...
once again...keep in contact

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[> Re: Roll call ------ What's your set up -- Keith, 13:13:11 11/09/03 Sun [1] (nr25-66-42-161-228.fuse.net/66.42.161.228)

What the hack!!! Who ever say alto is boring should listen to more Cannonball's music. Just joking, in my opinion every horn has it's own sound. If you listen to how Parker and Cannonball play. You'll be amazed. However, I understand how you would like tenor more.

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[> Re: Roll call ------ What's your set up -- Keith, 13:15:36 11/09/03 Sun [1] (nr25-66-42-161-228.fuse.net/66.42.161.228)

Whatever,

I live in the US, so I don't know any place in the UK. If you are visiting the States sometime soon. Tell me where you are going and I can make a suggestion.

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[> Re: Roll call ------ What's your set up -- mark, 14:16:55 11/09/03 Sun [1] (cm218-254-14-114.hkcable.com.hk/218.254.14.114)

Keith,

Really no need to apologize. Just a little mis-understanding and a bit of dramatic or joking.

Anyway I went back to the web and it says that there is the 1st (bottom) octave, 2nd octave and altissmo (3rd octave). Well that is my understanding.

As for your advice on mpc and reeds, I did a bit of trials. Found that close mpc give me better bottom end, mellow low notes and good control.

For the reeds, it compliments your embouchure - soft reeds for hard lips (that's what I think). I use double lip embouchure (minimum lower teeth and jaw). Still I cannot play for more than an hour before I have to stop due to lip pain and mouth tired-ness. Really bothers me. Hard reeds would just made it worse would it? I have never experienced any mpc/close up even though that the whole apartment block can hear me play on some Sunday afternoons. Dare not play at night. Real nuisance. DO you play REALLLLLL loud?

Somebody suggested that tenors are easier on the lip and jaw. I don't know if it is true but think that the weight would then tire my neck and arms/hands. And then tenor is so much bulkier. What do you say, "Jazzy whatever"?

Yes, for your jazz people, do you play lead sheets/scores or just use your ears and memorize every tune? Must be difficult and labourous?

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[> Re: Roll call ------ What's your set up -- Keith, 16:07:58 11/09/03 Sun [1] (nr25-66-42-176-216.fuse.net/66.42.176.216)

Mark

Thanks for your understanding. I didn't know you use double lip. Did you play Oboe. If you feel pain while playing you could be doing it wrong, you could be biting have you talked to your teacher about it? It is true that softer reed give a fuller sound at lower end but the high end will suffer.

One thing comes to my mind. Do you feel the horn is hard to blow through? That is do you feel a lot of back pressure when blowing? I recently had a similar problem. I would play about an hour and I had to stop due to tiredness. I felt a lot of back pressure from the piece. So I tried harder reeds, it helped but the sound was not as good as before. Then I switched my MPC from 5MM to 6MM Meyer it turned to be the right remedy. A lot of people think that softer reed and closed MPC is easier to play. That is correct for small kids because they have weaker lungs. For adult, the lung has fully developed. When adult plays with that set up they blow harder and the MPC is not letting the air through and the embouchure will get tired easily. The situation is kindda like drinking milk shake with a straw that has a small hole.

It is true that tenor require less embouchure. If you like the sound and would like to switch. I suggest you to try it on before making a decision. It is not much heavier than the alto, but of cause some brands weight more than others. If the weight really bothers you, there is strap that puts the weight on your shoulders instead of the neck, you might want to check that out.

Some jazz musicians use only their ears in the early days of Jazz. Nowadays most players read music. It is not as difficult as one might thing. A lot of tunes have the same chord progression especially the blues. If you listen to So what and Impressions you will notice they have the exact same chord progression.

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[> Re: Roll call ------ What's your set up -- Keith, 18:17:37 11/09/03 Sun [1] (nr25-66-42-177-203.fuse.net/66.42.177.203)

Whatever,

The other forum that I frequent is the SoTW. They have a topic that might be able to help you out. I have never use any of the tech listed so use it on your own risk. Just follow the link.

http://saxontheweb.myforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9135&highlight=tech

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[> Re: Roll call ------ What's your set up -- whatever, 23:44:14 11/10/03 Mon [1] (NoHost/193.129.76.82)

Keith,

Thank you for your information. I also went to the saxquest.com, their overhaul price for a tenor is USD$750...just a bit too much for me at the moment...so needa save a lot to do that.

Well, I must apologize for what I said on alto...maybe that's because my alto is not a very good one, I have a Yamaha YAS32. But I really love the YAS875, I mean LOVE, when I play it I can feel the feedback of the horn, a very deep 'feedback', and the sound of YAS875 is so lovely, I tried this horn when I was buying a mpc...another great alto I love very much is a Buffet horn...I was doing grade5, and at that time my sound 'sucks' on my own alto, but when I tried my teacher's Buffet..it was so rich and 'round'...cant forget it.

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[> Re: Roll call ------ What's your set up -- Keith, 00:51:05 11/11/03 Tue [1] (nr25-66-42-161-64.fuse.net/66.42.161.64)

Whatever,

750 US for an overhaul on tenor is just about the market price in the US. However I would not recommend sending your horn all the way to the States and than back to you. The keys can be shifted while in shipping, and you'll need to pay someone else to set it up again. I suggest you to find a local tech in England that you trust and have him/her look at the horn, you might not need a complete overhaul. Sometime replacing a few pads could do wonder on a horn and it will be a lot cheaper.
Find a tech that speciallized on vintage sax, and check their reputation. Usually, your teacher could give you suggestions on that.

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