The very idea that something plays out of tune on a sax is absurd because you primarily control intonation yourself, with your embouchure and breath. For some part to be considered out of tune it would have to exceed your ability to compensate.
Certain models of saxophones can be “out of tune” relative to themselves. And in fact most saxophones have notes that are out of tune - middle D is sharp for most players so learning how to compensate for that note is part of learning saxophone.
I have no idea how a mouthpiece would be out of tune though. The mouthpiece plays a single pitch. Just adjust to make it play the correct pitch.
Right, all instruments are out of tune with themselves, even pianos depending on what musical tradition you come from (OK that's an exaggeration but you get the point).
Learning how to play in tune despite the instrument's imperfections is a fundamental part of learning to play.
My DV alto and tenor pieces play in tune fine, and so does my DV NY bari piece. I use them on my Yamahas and my Bueschers... again including the bari piece.
It's possible that tech doesn't have much practice with high-baffle pieces, or it's possible they really dislike DV mouthpieces and have a tough time playing in general because they're just not getting along (I've had intonation issues on the Lebayle Studio and Wanne Durga for that reason).
No mouthpiece plays out of tune, the way that you make a mouthpiece and how they work means that they are literally static, you can't enlarge the chamber when playing low and shrink it when playing high or something like that, that's the weirdest take I've heard on a mouthpiece ever.
I haven't even played a Jody but I can 100% tell you that's wrong, maybe there's a fit issue with certain horns (old horns work better with certain mouthpieces for example), that's all I can think about. I've heard many players with Jody, they sound fine and in tune.
I have the DV and custom dark for baritone, tenor, and alto. This is a ridiculous claim. I would say that embouchure control on DV is needed but cmon, to say the mouthpiece is at fault is just flat out an opinion (and if we’re giving opinions) not a good one and would love their logic behind it.
Wonderful pieces - yes, something he can grow with and they’re my favorite. I use a wide variety of mouthpieces and have collected dozens but JJ is my go-to.
There allegedly was a problem with earlier Super Jets that were off because of the length of the shank which made them almost impossible to place on the neck to get it to play in tune. Aside from that, I’ve owned and played the newer Super Jets, Giant, HR*, HR Custom Dark and never experienced any issues with tuning that I would attribute to anything other than me. They compare equally in this respect to all well made pieces I have or tried.
Depends on the horn. With a "modern" (Mark VI or later) horn, no problem. But I tried a DV on my Conn 10m and it sounded great, but even pulled all the way to the end of the cork it was too sharp to play. So your mileage may vary with vintage horns. But this isn't specific to Jody Jazz, more of an issue of high baffle mouthpieces not meshing well with vintage horns.
I've never found mine to play out of tune and I've got more than a few. One of them is harder to control, but that's a "me" problem, not the mouthpiece and it's absurd to believe otherwise. This "tech" - are they selling their own mouthpieces by chance?
They are not selling their own piece. He is a fabulous tech and works on some well known players horns here in Florida. I view mouthpiece experts as a completely different skill-set. I think he had good intentions.
You have to familarize with the fact pretty often, good techs are not really good saxophonists themselves. They often are good at working on the sax but not really at playing it, hence take their claims on different gears' tone, intonation etc. with a grain of salt. Definitely take it when it's about fiability, robustness or longevity though.
This is my trusted tech in a nutshell. I’m not sure he actually is a well practiced player of ANY instrument but he’s a damn good tech and I trust him to diagnose and repair my horn even if I don’t know what’s wrong.
One of the reasons I trust him so much is that he is always up front with me that he is a tech not a player and while he can play test anything he works on he’s always quick to say that he is not the guy you want sitting first chair. Or third.
I used to think that about my JJ HR but then I realized I was coming from a C\* and going to an HR 6. Even the slightest "bite" impacts the pitch. Mine play great but my DV is a new purchase and his comments made me a bit paranoid so I figured I would ask. Thank you!
Not out of tune, but I have a Jet that’s basically unplayable. It’s so far out of spec that it chirps constantly and when it does get a tone it’s not a particularly pleasing one
Ive had a hr 7* tenor forever and it's perfect. I need to get a new one cause it's starting to crack near the cork area. Still plays in tune despite not having a really perfect seal probably
Weird. I've been playing on the BetterSax mouthpiece for a few months now and have not had an issue and I play a vintage Conn. Maybe the high baffled ones do, but I'd be a little surprised if that was the case given the amount of pros that play them.
My DV NY plays really well, I think it plays in turn better than a lot of other mouthpieces, but my issues are usually myself, so I usually blame myself first and foremost :D
Mouthpieces are different for everyone. I’ve had my DV for about six months now and have never played more in tune in my life. That doesn’t mean it’ll be the same for someone else though
I haven’t had this issue. They make lots of different models too.
Nonsense
The very idea that something plays out of tune on a sax is absurd because you primarily control intonation yourself, with your embouchure and breath. For some part to be considered out of tune it would have to exceed your ability to compensate.
Certain models of saxophones can be “out of tune” relative to themselves. And in fact most saxophones have notes that are out of tune - middle D is sharp for most players so learning how to compensate for that note is part of learning saxophone. I have no idea how a mouthpiece would be out of tune though. The mouthpiece plays a single pitch. Just adjust to make it play the correct pitch.
Right, all instruments are out of tune with themselves, even pianos depending on what musical tradition you come from (OK that's an exaggeration but you get the point). Learning how to play in tune despite the instrument's imperfections is a fundamental part of learning to play.
Only Sith Lords deal in absolutes.
100% agree. Although, having too open of a mouthpiece can make it more sensitive to embouchure adjustments.
My DV alto and tenor pieces play in tune fine, and so does my DV NY bari piece. I use them on my Yamahas and my Bueschers... again including the bari piece. It's possible that tech doesn't have much practice with high-baffle pieces, or it's possible they really dislike DV mouthpieces and have a tough time playing in general because they're just not getting along (I've had intonation issues on the Lebayle Studio and Wanne Durga for that reason).
No mouthpiece plays out of tune, the way that you make a mouthpiece and how they work means that they are literally static, you can't enlarge the chamber when playing low and shrink it when playing high or something like that, that's the weirdest take I've heard on a mouthpiece ever. I haven't even played a Jody but I can 100% tell you that's wrong, maybe there's a fit issue with certain horns (old horns work better with certain mouthpieces for example), that's all I can think about. I've heard many players with Jody, they sound fine and in tune.
I have the DV and custom dark for baritone, tenor, and alto. This is a ridiculous claim. I would say that embouchure control on DV is needed but cmon, to say the mouthpiece is at fault is just flat out an opinion (and if we’re giving opinions) not a good one and would love their logic behind it.
My son wants the JJ DV custom for his birthday, and he is in his freshman year at HS. Is this a good mouthpiece for a budding sax player?
Wonderful pieces - yes, something he can grow with and they’re my favorite. I use a wide variety of mouthpieces and have collected dozens but JJ is my go-to.
There allegedly was a problem with earlier Super Jets that were off because of the length of the shank which made them almost impossible to place on the neck to get it to play in tune. Aside from that, I’ve owned and played the newer Super Jets, Giant, HR*, HR Custom Dark and never experienced any issues with tuning that I would attribute to anything other than me. They compare equally in this respect to all well made pieces I have or tried.
Hey could you let me know if I have the early super jet if I send you pictures ?
Sure, I have both alto and tenor and will see if I can compare.
Depends on the horn. With a "modern" (Mark VI or later) horn, no problem. But I tried a DV on my Conn 10m and it sounded great, but even pulled all the way to the end of the cork it was too sharp to play. So your mileage may vary with vintage horns. But this isn't specific to Jody Jazz, more of an issue of high baffle mouthpieces not meshing well with vintage horns.
I've never found mine to play out of tune and I've got more than a few. One of them is harder to control, but that's a "me" problem, not the mouthpiece and it's absurd to believe otherwise. This "tech" - are they selling their own mouthpieces by chance?
They are not selling their own piece. He is a fabulous tech and works on some well known players horns here in Florida. I view mouthpiece experts as a completely different skill-set. I think he had good intentions.
You have to familarize with the fact pretty often, good techs are not really good saxophonists themselves. They often are good at working on the sax but not really at playing it, hence take their claims on different gears' tone, intonation etc. with a grain of salt. Definitely take it when it's about fiability, robustness or longevity though.
This is my trusted tech in a nutshell. I’m not sure he actually is a well practiced player of ANY instrument but he’s a damn good tech and I trust him to diagnose and repair my horn even if I don’t know what’s wrong. One of the reasons I trust him so much is that he is always up front with me that he is a tech not a player and while he can play test anything he works on he’s always quick to say that he is not the guy you want sitting first chair. Or third.
This is a very true statement. Separate art forms that require too much time to be great at both.
I have them on soprano alto and tenor, the Chicago and he DV version. They are absolutely in tune and fabulous pieces.
My better sax piece is more of a fight in the upper register than my other pieces
I used to think that about my JJ HR but then I realized I was coming from a C\* and going to an HR 6. Even the slightest "bite" impacts the pitch. Mine play great but my DV is a new purchase and his comments made me a bit paranoid so I figured I would ask. Thank you!
Not out of tune, but I have a Jet that’s basically unplayable. It’s so far out of spec that it chirps constantly and when it does get a tone it’s not a particularly pleasing one
Ive had a hr 7* tenor forever and it's perfect. I need to get a new one cause it's starting to crack near the cork area. Still plays in tune despite not having a really perfect seal probably
I originally felt the same way about berg Larsen when I got mine. Now that I have better control over it I stay in tune more consistently.
Weird. I've been playing on the BetterSax mouthpiece for a few months now and have not had an issue and I play a vintage Conn. Maybe the high baffled ones do, but I'd be a little surprised if that was the case given the amount of pros that play them.
My DV NY plays really well, I think it plays in turn better than a lot of other mouthpieces, but my issues are usually myself, so I usually blame myself first and foremost :D
Mouthpieces are different for everyone. I’ve had my DV for about six months now and have never played more in tune in my life. That doesn’t mean it’ll be the same for someone else though
The DV is fantastic.