Jim could describe a pile of dirt and I would probably buy it. He is that good of a presenter. I so enjoy these videos, so informative and the sweetest sound. Just great.

Jim, the Otto Link (HR) on the Rampone sound magnificent. The Conn/Selmer with the Ambika sounded lovely as well . On a video , in general , it is difficult to hear the exact difference of how much depth and weight of sound there is , between the Conn /Selmer & the Rampone . However the Rampone has a deeper hefty tone , with the standard OttoLink 7* Tone Master . I play a 1937 Conn19M Silver plated Tenor ( with Slight Modifications and ornate engraving from the great Don Menza

It is so nice to have a highly articulate experienced sax player doing product reviews. Keep up the good work. Much appreciated.

11:27 Avant 180 Sax, Otto link Mouthpiece 13:36 Avant 180 Sax, Ambica Mouthpiece 16:42 Two Voices Sax, Otto link Mouthpiece 18:44 Two Voices Sax, Ambica Mouthpiece 20:50 Two Voices Sax, Ambica Mouthpiece, Jazz Select reed

Beautiful video Jim and once again your playing is simply sublime! You cover so many bases with these vids’ they provide a splendid learning opportunity for players sax wrangling. The main thing for me is how much your passion glows through! A+!!! 🧐

What a man. Thanks Jim for your expertise!

Lovely comparison there Jim. Awesome to hear all those horns side by side.

Excellent video! You can really tell the difference with each set up

I have a Macsax Bob Sheppard tenor mouthpiece and just recently tried it with a Yanagisawa TWO20. That combo was amazing and to my ears was what you would call dark and smoky sounding. I will be buying the TWO20 as soon as I can afford it. I was totally blown away by it.

Oh, I liked that Ambika. Still warm but with some edge added in. Lovely.

I wish I had a room in my home populated with several dozen saxes hanging on the walls. Then a case full of mouthpieces and shelves of boxes of reeds.

Keilwerth has always produced that big round sound for me.

Nicely done. Thanks.

Great topic. Every aspect covered and this is obsessed often.

The Van Doren makes my Link tone edge super dark and resistant. The Rico royale makes it super bright and the change is more significant than any other aspect including metal mouthpieces , saxophones etc…. Totally true!.

Rampone + Ambika + Vandoren Traditional Reed = 👍👍👍

Well done Jim! The subject is entirely Subjective. Endless parameters.

Thanks for the demo. I have a 7* Ambika and was gravitated to Select Jazz but after watching your video I got Vandoren traditional 2 1/2 and found it gives me a nice warm and controllable down to low Bb without sounding buzzy too much like Select Jazz 3S. 3M is punchy and less buzzy than 3S but my embouchure is not quite there so with slightly softer choice of Vandoren 2 1/2 I have a good of both worlds of warmth and feeling comfortable and not worrying about reed vibration getting out of control (thanks to Vandoren’s thicker heart). I also get a bit more definition of high frequencies (more transparent) than Select Jazz because Vandoren traditional’s very tip is actually thinner than Select Jazz so it adds a bit of sparkle. I use Francois Louise Ultimate ligature which adds more vibrancy and tone complexity in a warm way to the setup. I found those three elements work well together. I’m using a late Mark VI.

Oh wow, great video! What a difference right at the end with the other reed! I play a Yamaha 62 with either the Slant sig, or Durga, both from Theo Wanne. The problem I find with the large chamber is on the high notes, trying to keep it in tune.

Some very good points made. Whether one is choosing their first or 4th sax...something I think many might glance over is "lung capacity". Many just look for that sax with the larger bell. But not consider if they can put enough air through it. Requires more sir since it does have a larger bell. Not for all body types (the player). Overlooking this could be discouraging. Especially for someone new to the sax. They start with a "big bell" sax. Find they can't produce enough air. Which they would have a hard time in the beginning anyway regardless of the design of the sax..learning to control air flow. Big bell saxes probably would be a bad first sax. Something many people, even "experienced" players, don't think about till maybe years later.

Thanks Jim, nice sound with a Legere signature 2.5 reed on an Otto Link Metal Tone master 7* with Yamaha.

My setup is. Rampone Two Voices,Meyer ebonite 7* mouthpiece with Francois Louis ligature and vandoren traditional #3. Sounds dark to me...

Goddammit, Jim is a beautiful man.

Try to do a series of "inspired by" set ups. Trying to approximate tones of different famous players with setups in the store?

Nice video and v good sounds. I have found a great setup for my Conn-Selmer, with a Meyer 7 ebonite, with carbon fiber reeds like the Fiberreed Hemp, and/or Carbon. Sounds warm, with proyection and definition too.. and can be clear and bright enough if you need.

Very nice, after playing a metal Link (modified tip w/added baffle) on my Mk VI Tenor, I switched to a Daddario Select Jazz DM7 for something darker. Still trying different reeds: Royal, LaVoz, Vandoren, Jazz Select & Lupafarro to see what I like best

I bought a Theo Wanne Ambika 3 gold plated for my Silver 82Zii Tenor. It is a beautiful mouthpiece for standards! For the ripping stuff I use the Jody Jazz DV Platinum. For a really unique sound I have the Drake Pete Christlieb Master Series. Best of all worlds.

Do you want smoky sound? First switch to tenor if you play alto! Once touched Tenor I forgot about alto

I like the first combination Conn - Otto Link most soundwise, no idea how the playing experience feels though, whithout trying it out myself.

Mauriat 66R Tenor and the Mauriat Alto 67 Rul’s. Are the best horns they made. I’m glad I bought mine in 08-09 . Love these horn’s.

Complimenti...programma molto interessante!!!

The intro is always sharp # :)))

Wow! That museum (I know it’s a sax shop.) makes my mouth drool. Sorry for sounding gross, but I can spend all day there. I hope to go there with my daughters who are learning the sax.

This is really informative and interesting! I moved to a Vandoren V16 mouthpiece on my 15 year old Yamaha Y32 and have been pleased with the results - I like the darker sound so as to be more emotive on ballads. My dilemma is whether to consider an upgrade and the Conn Selmer was interesting. Thank you.

jim, fantastic videos, always really enjoy whatever you're up to. can't wait to visit the store when i can get to london!

The Other reed Vandoren Reed I discovered is the V12 2.5 , it works on Alto sax/ ( on clarinet I use a #4 V-12 . )

Ramone and ambica are the best. Wish I could hear this set up with a la voz medium or medium soft Reed. Even darker if you try it

It's a tenor, she will produce what ever sound you want. Has anyone ever tried the old Selmer Paris- C* long scroll- soloist? I have this 45 year old mpc. I put a self baffle in. Sweetest jazz sound you've ever heard. Everything you want- control!

I like these videos before I've even watched them

The Vandoren Traditional reed has big resistance but it sounds the best if you can push through the full air. Those Java reeds are easier to play but the sound is a bit too bright for me.

Lastly , using a lighter ligature, would help the Otto Link 7*TM, to have more options of playing gunk and blues . Adding some Epoxy to middle the chamber , would give more power .

on the very first sax you tried, you sounded a lot like coltrane 😌

I play a Slant Sig 2 in 7* by Theo Wanne on a Selmer Series III tenor sax. Would you say the Ambika is darker than the Slant Sig ? I feel it isn’t, may be because I play Legere Signature 2.75. Good video, thanks.

Great video, Jim. Just curious, what strengths are the 2 reeds? Thank you.

Can you do this but for alto? I have small hands and a beginner but I know I want a dark sound

Hi Jim, would you consider Inderbinen saxophones? Would love to hear your comments on their horns!

I have a P.Mauriat 67rx influence. As you described, it has a big warm sound, but how would you say it fares in a classical/concert setting? I'm a jazz "main" but I plan to dabble a bit more in that field, just wanted to gauge if I should expect a harder/easier time transitioning.

my setup is the Martin tenor with Florida no USA custom 7 ，original ligature and vanderen Java strength 3😂

I want that 2 voices, I’m sold! 😍

I prefer the Conn with the Ambika and the Otto Link on the Rampone. I do find the ebonie links can tend to be a bit muffled sounding and they are not exactly consistent in quality, which you'd think by now JJ Babbitt would have fixed the inconsistency issue. Need to hear sound samples from it before I can say for sure, but the new version of the JodyJazz HR* tenor mouthpiece is supposed to be darker sounding than the current HR* as it uses the same Chedeville rubber they use on Chedeville mouthpieces and that might be good for that dark smoky sound with the right reed. Could you do a video comparing Soprano saxes? Straight and curved, Student to professional ones. I am thinking of getting a straight soprano in the next few months, when I have saved enough money, so that would be useful since I can't come to your store and there are no places I can play test saxophones anywhere near me.

Thanks, Jim. That was a worthwhile comparison. To my ear, I liked the Ambika on the Conn, then the Otto Link on the Rampone. (Weird, eh?) You obviously like the Jazz Select reed and it shows in the sound. By the way, what neck strap are you using? I like the way it sits low and off the neck.

Could we get a bluesy/rock into a modern rock set up?

Could you please do video for cobmination bright sound on tenor? As i started to play on tenor, i wanted to reach the sound as dark as possible, but it still was not what i expected. Then i tried dukoff d9 miami florida and this total opposite of dark sound but it's great and i like it!

I liked the Conn-Selmer saxophone for tone.

Do this for trying to find that big, fat, and dirty Bari sound

Do you have any showroom along the south coast?

Does a Neck-Screw have an influence on the sound? I have changed it at my Yamaha YTS62 and I think it sounds different, warmer or darker.

The sound in my experience is what the cane produces and its quality

Selmer super action 2+ sr tech pro + Rico unfiled 2.5

could you guys give a jazz baritone setup？thx

I liked the video; at the beginning I perceived it as a sale pitch but, down the road, the video included an Otto Link. If you talk "Dark Saxophone Set up", I don't think you can leave on the side an Otto Link-original models-large chamber. So this made me change my perception of your video. Btw, the sound darker-attenuated has mainly to do with the geometry of the bore , a trunked cone, it is the reason for How Waves Oscillate and travel the instrument, Construction Materials also... not too much, almost nothing the lacquer...

Two voices+link

Intonation first

Hi Jim have you considered including a spectrogram graphic to accompany your videos? I feel this would help customers understand the subtle differences when you are trying to convey the dark fat cutting sounds etc. It would help show the differences between the makes of instruments too. As yet this idea has not been used by other youtubers. What are your views? Is it worth you guys trying this?

Hi! Could you please tell me where I can get a good quality ligature for tenor a metal mouthpiece?

Hard Rubber Otto Link tone Edge Slant Signature reissue 8 with Vandoren Java 3.5 Green Box

great and very useful vid thank you what is the strap (thingy) you're wearing - I need something like that off the neck

Berg Larsen Rico Brown Box Reeds

you can hear you arnt that comfortable with the vandoren reed ^^

Why there's no key clicking noise in the recording?

The rampone and Cazzani is my dream horn. The only problem with it is the fact that it is over 9,000 usd

Excuse me where is it?

Was the Otto Link a Tone Edge or a Vintage (Tone Edge)?

NO tenor sax mouthpiece should ever cost more than $300

Can you do a video on a jazz fusion soprano sound?

Now bari!

I have several Alto Saxophones costing 1000s and a made in GDR tenor paid £200 on ebay and would not change it. . For Both of them I have Otto Link Mouthpieces. Recently I purchased a Legere Classic 2.5 Synthetic reed. Trying it with the Otto link I found the sound was too dark. In my collection of mouth pieces I have an RPC mouthpiece purchased in 2004. The Person who made the RPC mouthPiece supplied the mouth piece to the saxophonist in the Broadway Play Miss Saigon. I hated the RPC mouthpiece as it was too bright. Paring the Legere Classic 2.5 Synthetic reed. with the RPC mouthpiece produced a sound I like. This is for my Alto. I much prefer playing the Synthetic reeds. What i require now is a synthetic reed for my OTTO Link mouthpiece and Tenor Saxophone.

What's the strap?

Hey Jim. I like your videos very much. Do you have any experience with "le monde" saxophones? I'm interested what you think about this brand. Especially about the universal series. Greetings from Germany

🧐🧐

"delicious silver"? that's not weird at all

Is that almighty Kenny G in the back ground? 20:00

An MB2 is all you need. Sod being dark.

Where is this sax store???

SIRVALORSAX

Not a huge fan of overly specialised setups. I prefer having a versatile and flexible setup that lets me sound how ever I’m feeling.

I don’t have a saxophone

marketing is good but I don't share it thanks

anyone else have such a pure visceral hate for this guy? it is why i keep watching these videos

That Vandoren reed probably needs work. You’re lucky if 1 out of 10 is good out of the box.

Yes, yes, but who is the girl in the background with the black leggings and can I have her number please?

As far as I know, the sound is entirely decided by the mouthpiece, the reed and the player. The horn doesn’t play any role.

Haha 69 views

TwoVoices was _a poor_ saxophone choice for smoky sound. All its setups delivered ear-piercing, shrill sound. That sax can funk, but hardly exhale smoky husks. You should stick with Selmer-inspired designs because Selmers DEFINED dark, smoky sound. Also, Theo Wanne's Ambika, Gaia, etc. with each new generation become too broad and unfocused. His first-generation mouthpieces are the best, when Theo had the LEAST influence from the general type of enthusiasts.

Why would anyone in modern times want a natural dark sound? Dark sounds are totally unmarketable in today’s music, unless you’re playing period tribute shows that feature a certain era of sax playing, but those gigs are few and far between. Bright sounds are so much superior in virtually every sax playing situation, even in straight ahead jazz. The best modern saxophone players known throughout history are more known to have brighter sounds. Sure there are a few old school boomers out there playing their dark setups living on their name. But the modern killing frontline sax players are all bright. If you want to be a real gigging sax player, you need to be playing a bright sound. I’m not trying to bash anyone’s taste here, play what you want. I admire the dark sounds of the 30’s and 40’s like Colman, Lucky Thompson, And Webster, but in 2020, dark sounds are a thing of the past.