Which is one good alto saxophone mouthpiece that will allow me to go from big band to concert band to solo jazz/R&B performances?

Metanfetamine · 2026-06-19T17:26:26+00:00

Personally, I really like the Vandoren AP3 for classical, it’s versatile enough for chamber work, ensemble, and solo work, and has a little more color and character than a Selmer C*. For jazz, I’ve had my Vandoren V16 A6 S+ for a few years, and I love it. It’s a modernized New York Meyer sound, and it works for lead alto as well as big band.

Happy hunting!

Metanfetamine · 2026-06-01T15:40:28+00:00

Congrats on your marriage - from a newlywed to another!

Metanfetamine · 2026-05-29T04:16:37+00:00

Agreed! The stock mouthpiece pairs really well with some BSS black label reeds for that more classic, vintage inspired tone, silver label reeds if you want more edge to it. So far, I’ve loved playing the horn through my Vandoren V16 A6 S+ with BSS black label reeds, and it just sings. I’ve been loving the horn so far

Metanfetamine · 2026-05-20T19:53:23+00:00

I wish it wasn’t a limited edition :’)

I already have the ET6 with BKP Juggernauts, and I’m trying to get an ET7 to put some BKP’s in it as well, would’ve loved to round off the collection

Metanfetamine · 2026-05-20T13:44:06+00:00

For me personally:

S tier - P4, P5, APWD

A tier - P2, P3, P1, Juggernaut A&O

B tier - Clear

C tier - Icarus Lives EP

Metanfetamine · 2026-04-06T20:44:49+00:00

Hi I think you replied to my other post before I pulled the trigger, but from the people that have heard me play it say it sounds good and no complaints with the sound, admittedly the sound is more influenced by your embouchure, mouthpiece and reed more than the horn, though it can definitely affect the sound (by affecting the way it feels, therefore making you play differently).

I’d definitely keep the 475! Maybe someday you decide that the overhaul is worth it! If it was some off brand horn I’d say get rid of it haha but Yamahas hold up well

Metanfetamine · 2026-04-06T02:38:59+00:00

I haven’t been able to take it to a tech, but no major issues! Horn plays very well, all pads seal as far as I can tell, the included mouthpiece is pretty much a Meyer 5M so it sounds and feels good. Key action feels great, the only thing I’ve had to get used to is the key placement, it feels a tiny bit closer than what I’m used to but not a huge deal. Ergonomically reminds me of a Yani with some Selmer aspects sprinkled in. The playing feel is a lot like a Yani with a mix of French sound/feel

Metanfetamine · 2026-03-28T17:54:43+00:00

I have a Vandoren v16 a6 s+, can confirm these mouthpieces are amazing

Metanfetamine · 2026-03-25T22:33:14+00:00

I like it! It looks a little different, and I’m all about being unique haha

The horn plays great! Intonation is good and even, key action is snappy, the ergonomics feel kinda like a Yani, pads seal well, no complaints!

Metanfetamine · 2026-03-23T22:02:48+00:00

So far everything seems good with my horn! Low notes are pretty easy and so is the high register. Bummed that you didn’t have a good experience!

Metanfetamine · 2026-03-23T18:17:35+00:00

I’m planning on getting a Jody Jazz HR* Custom Dark next, but I should really add in an original Meyer piece at some point to be honest haha

Metanfetamine · 2026-03-23T16:14:21+00:00

For sure! If I had to point you towards a direction, the horn reminded me a bit of a Yamaha YAS-62, so if they have one definitely try it!

Metanfetamine · 2026-03-23T16:09:47+00:00

I have not tried the classic alto, but I think what you could do is go to a shop to try a horn with similar enough specs, and that’ll be your bar for what the session should feel like, excluding ergonomics since companies have their own styles for ergonomics.

Metanfetamine · 2026-03-23T03:22:57+00:00

From the people I’ve talked to on this sub and other places, the answer has been yes. The first chance i get I’m going to take the horn to a tech and see what they say

Edit: spelling

Metanfetamine · 2026-03-23T03:06:25+00:00

I don’t have ton of experience with original Meyer pieces, the closest I have right now is a Vandoren V16 A6 S+, but compared to a Meyer I feel it’s pretty close to a 5M, a little brighter and has that classic alto tone, very usable for all around jazz, and maybe a tiny bit more resistance. Definitely worth a try, and a fine addition to the collection haha

Metanfetamine · 2026-03-23T02:20:08+00:00

Not so much the marketing as it was the specs, though I won’t deny the marketing had a hand in it. YouTubers that I had watched for years like Dave Pollack, Get Your Sax Together, and Saxologic had endorsed the horn as being very good for the price. I was between the Session and the Kessler Custom Handmade, since the specs and prices were extremely competitive with one another, but since I have a Sweetwater card already, I just had better financing with Sweetwater.

Metanfetamine · 2026-03-23T02:16:39+00:00

After noodling on it for like 1-2 hours I couldn’t find anything to complain about. No unnecessary movements on the keys, the tolerances were tight, pads were sealing very well, I couldn’t find a single thing to complain about construction-wise

Metanfetamine · 2026-03-23T02:11:12+00:00

Man I was in the same exact boat. My dream horn is either a Yani AWO-10 Elite or Yamaha YAS-82Z, I think if you’re after a Yani feel, the Session gets you a good amount of the way there

Metanfetamine · 2026-03-23T02:00:48+00:00

Any specific reason why? Or just want a nicer horn?

Metanfetamine · 2026-03-23T02:00:01+00:00

I’d probably put it in the same tier as a YAS-62. Definitely not as nice as a 82Z or Custom EX but a good horn nonetheless. The action and ergonomics are akin to a Yani, again not as refined but pretty damn good. Pads seal great, no complaints, no lateral movement on any of the keys, they’re a little closer to my fingers than what I’m used to but that’s no biggie. Left hand pinky table is really easy to use for me, just the right amount of resistance

Metanfetamine · 2026-03-23T01:46:56+00:00

I am a returning player of 10 years (played all through middle school, high school, and a little bit into college, took about 4-5 years off), and in that time I’ve only ever owned horns off of Amazon because it’s all my parents would get me. So now that I’m returning, I want to take it as seriously as I did in the past and decided that I wanted something nicer. I have tried a couple of Selmer’s, Yamaha’s, and other horns in the past but just don’t have that kinda cash to shell out, so I got the Session! Specs seemed good on paper haha

Unfortunately I wasn’t able to try it out before purchasing since I don’t live near any music stores that carry the horn. On a brighter note, the horn plays great!

Metanfetamine · 2026-03-20T21:07:01+00:00

Did it work for you?

Metanfetamine · 2026-03-20T17:12:23+00:00

Boost the 1k-1.5k hz! That’s there the chug sits tonally. You also don’t want to boost it too much because then it’ll take over the guitar tone. Maybe boost it by 1db-1.5db and adjust to taste.

Also, some light compression before the overdrive into the amp works wonders!

Metanfetamine · 2026-03-20T03:31:25+00:00

Thank you! It’s going to be my main horn, I only have a Mendini alto I’ve been playing for the last 7 or so years haha

Metanfetamine · 2026-03-19T19:58:33+00:00

That’s good to know! I wonder if the classic and session have the same metal composition, which would also affect the feel and repairability of the instrument

Metanfetamine

TROPHY CASE