Thanks for this review. I am very happy with my Otto Link Tone Edge #7, but after hearing that Bob Reynold's Tone Edge "wore out" I am keeping my eyes open for possible replacements.
I found that video very, very sad to watch. Good video, but I was filled with dread knowing what's ahead for me to have to deal with after 5-15+ more years of playing.
@@tracezacur6784 I’m not saying they don’t make a good mouthpiece. I’m saying my ear has typically preferred the Meyer sound over most others, but in this case, the Selmer wins hands down. Plus, and I admit I don’t have any hard numbers to back up my hypothesis, I think there are far more alto players playing Meyer than Selmer.
It’s so hard to tell because it almost sounds like he’s playing synthetic reeds and he’s not really playing a traditional jazz style but more of a smooth jazz / RnB style. Need to hear a jazz player try this new Selmer.
I'm really not the biggest Selmer Fan and normally I stick with the saying "don't believe the hype" when new Saxophones or mouthpieces arrive on the market. But by chance, I was looking for a new Alto MPC and thought, well why not give it a try, I mean you can send it all back if it doesn't fit. But the Jazz Flow is a great mouthpiece and it does really do all the things Jim mentions in this video. It replaced my trustworthy Vandoren V16 A8, which I played for several years. IMO it's a fantastic Allrounder and I'd say you could do classical music as well with this one. It's super free blowing and mids and deep tones come out super easy. Especially with the actual selmer offer, which gives away a ligature for free, it's a no brainer... Players who struggle with stuffy mouthpieces have to try this one. I play nearly the same setup as Jim in the video... Jazz Flow 7, Select Jazz 2H reeds👌🏻
Nice addition to Selmers Lineup, thanks for sharing the news. I love the Soloist C** I bought last year. But I have to add, that with respect to the quality control it left me a bit disappointed when it arrived as I had to flatten the face, which was a bit hollow in the center (better than bulging but nevertheless not perfect) and the tip wasn't symmetrical by about 1/2mm or a 1/8th of an inch. Both points were easy to fix and it played well right from the box, but It wasn't quite what I expected so maybe better try before you buy or visit a reputable dealer to get a good one.
My main mouthpiece is a JodyJazz HR* on alto but I have played on Selmer mouthpieces for years and have a love/hate relationship with them. I found for me, Selmer mouthpieces feel the best for me and can give me the tone I am after but I have had issues with some of them on alto sax particularly. With the modern Soloists I have played, they were too resistant in low notes and the S80 E I have, when I play it, I get more moisture build up and easily get a sound with a lot of moisture in it which I really don't want. I have a Claude Delangle but I rarely play it anymore as I find I get fatigued quicker when I play it. This new Jazz Flow sounds like a great mouthpiece and I preferred it more than Meyer. I haven't bought any Selmer mouthpieces in a few years and never realised they had gone up in price. When I can afford it, I might get one. How is the resistance of the Jazz Flow compared to the S80?
For me, the Jazz Flow is as free as you can get - less resistant than the S80. The S80 I tested was a C** and if anything, to match that tip, I probably should have moved up in strength of reed. This would have given me a more balanced sound, but likely with more resistance again - although the right kind of resistance! However, I wanted to make it a fair test, so used the same reed.
This looks great! I’m not an expert, I’ve been playing alto for one year and half, but my teacher suggested me the soloist E last year and I bought it… do you think it is worth to try also this jazz flow or they could be similar?
I’ve recently bought one selmer jazz flow and I love it, much more than the Meyer, Brilhart, Beechler or other mouthpieces that I have, very easy to blow and control…like singing…the only problem that I have its that doesn’t fit good in the cork; a little loose, so I need to use “teflon” to fix it, appart from this its a wonderful mouthpiece
Thanks Jim. Selmer make great mouthpieces. I like the material they are made of. Of course they started out making reeds and mouthpieces in the late 1900s before making fine clarinets then of course Saxophones. Thanks for what you are doing Jim. God bless you and yours. Bill. Uk 🎷🎷🎷
I liked your playing on all of them. I've had a few Meyers through the years and still have my alto 6 small chamber I purchased back in 78. The new Selmer has cool sound to it and maybe that's because I've played Meyers through the years, but I see one in my future? Nice comparison.
Hey, Jim sounded phenomenal on that new Selmer question have you ever tried last years new Selmer model called the Spirit. I heard that was sort of modeled after the sound of a Meyer. If that’s the case, I’m curious why they brought this one out as well. I’d be interested if you or anyone else that read this can give a little insight on both this one as well as the spirit. Thanks.
How does the beak height compare to Meyer? Currently on a Meyer and I like its beak height. Have tried lower profile beaked mpc and don’t get on with them. Liked how you sounded on the Flow! Thanks
Great playing, although im fairly early in my sax playi g journey, im wanting to upgrade my yamaha 4c to a decent mouthpiece that i can stick with for the rest of my days, im mostly into blues but like to play a bit of everything, which out of a mayer ebonite 5m and the jazz flow would be easiest to play? I do like the sound your getting from the jazz flow over the mayer and edging that way, but would it be ok for a relative beginner ? Thanks
Wonderful... great choice to compare the new Jazz flow with the CS80 and the Meyer (I have both..). I liked your sound on the Meyer much better, darker, screamer (don't know if it's good english..😂) and with more body up there. But you gave us also a tip on the feeling, the resistence you had compared to the new Selmer. Thank you for the great video!
Not really.. I meant that you could scream better, i.e. when you growled in the high register.. it's probably an unvolontary italenglish neologism..🤣🤣. Thank you for the kind reply
The best hard rubber mouthpiece I own is a Meyer NY Connoisseur 8M that I’ve refaced. The Jazz flow is not hand finished internally you can see the machine marking inside the mouthpiece maybe they’re hand finishing the rails but the tip has little to no hand finishing work.
Nice! I liked the Jazz Flow better than the S-80. Between the Jazz Airflow and the Meyer, it's a toss-up. I found the Selmer a tad bit brighter and "crisper" per se. The Meyer just had that all-around full sound that you never can get tired of. Awesome playing! What I do want to see Selmer do is create a metal version of that. I have a Selmer Metal Jazz Alto (F Opening), which I still play every now and then. I love the tone of that thing, although there is significant resistance to it and the altissimo is hard to reach. I still enjoy playing it. Hoping that a metal version of the Jazz Flow would be the perfect upgrade to my Metal Jazz. 😀
I agree with your summation of the Jazz Flow, and also I echo your experience with the Metal Jazz (back when we had them in stock) - resistance all the way. Quite the opposite with the new Jazz Flow. Jim
After listening closely to him comparing the sounds of the new Selmer, the S80, and the Meyer, I think overall, the Meyer still produced the best sound. (FYI - I play a C* on my Alto, and a Meyer on my Tenor.)
Good point. My Meyer is a 'modern' (but actually approx 20 years old) 6MM. I have a 7MM too - slightly less old, and they both have different characteristics. The 6 is darker and fuller, and the 7 is a little 'wizzier', but still with a great core. I have used both of these mpces on videos over the years, just to confuse you!
Can anyone at Sax UK tell us what the #7 Selmer mouthpiece actually measures at? I personally go by actual measurements instead of number! Very important guys! I’m going to guess it measures around .083 - .085 ? ?
Am I the only one, who thinks „CNC-milled and hand finished“ is no selling point? Why should you destroy a pefectly milled mouthpiece? When you are looking for a Selmer mouthpiece, you have to try 20 of them and each one is different and some of them aren‘t working at all… Just give out the mouthpiece straight out of the CNC-machine and don‘t let some random dude ruin it with a file and sandpaper…
All JodyJazz mouthpieces are made on CNC machines and hand finished and are great mouthpieces. I have never seen or heard of a bad one. I have owned a few including several HR* in different tip openings and they all played great and pretty much the same so there is nothing wrong with a mouthpiece being made on a CNC machine and hand finished, if it is done well. While I have heard of issues with Selmer mouthpiece consistency, I have owned and played 7 Selmer mouthpieces (S80, Concept, Super Session, Claude Delangle and Soloist) and never had issues with any of them. I once had two S80 E mouthpieces that played very similarly, if not the same. I did notice on my S80 C**, one rail looked slightly higher than the other one, but it plays well regardless.
You've raised an interesting point - and the subject of a longer conversation on the merits of the different manufacturing approaches. Theo Wanne - great mpces, all entirely made via CNC; ultimate consistency guaranteed. Jody Jazz (as the commentor below states) - also great mpces, but CNC milled, then hand-finished. Of course, you are very much dependant upon the quality of the hand-finishers, and Jody by all accounts has a great team. The question I would want to put to Jody (and others who do it this way) - what is it that you are achieving by hand finishing in addition to the CNC milling?
