Jumbo Java by Vandoren

I have been playing on yet another new mouthpiece for my tenor sax. I think I like it, but not as well as the first mouthpiece I got from Vandoren. It is the Jumbo Java T55. At first, I didn’t think I liked it at all. But with the right reed on it sounds a little better. It is very edgy and I don’t particularly like so much edginess down in the lower register. I suppose if I practiced enough with it I could learn to sound okay on it.

The Jumbo Java mouthpiece is producing some ugly tones for me right now so I’m not sure about it. But I feel it is worth the time spent. I will keep working with it. After all, I paid $119 for it. The V16 will probably remain my go to hard rubber mouthpiece.

I am getting a great tenor sound out of the V16. However, I have to have the right reed for it. The Java green box doesn’t seem to work as well as the Vandoren ZZ jazz reeds. Other than finding the right reed, the V16 a great mouthpiece

So as far as being able to play in funk or fusion situations I will refer to my Guardala mouthpiece. I have had it for over 20 years. However, when I first got my new tenor I was not able to use the Guardala. It takes a well-developed embouchure. As I get stronger the Guardala is sounding better and better. I had said I might sell it but, I will hold off on that.

The Jumbo Java mouthpieces are offered in these specifications:

Instrument	Size	Code	Tip Opening 1/100 mm	Facing Length
Alto Sax	A35	SM501B	206	MEDIUM LENGTH
	A45	SM502B	220	MEDIUM LENGTH
	A55	SM503B	247	LONG
	A75	SM504B	260	LONG
Tenor Sax	T45	SM511B	235	MEDIUM
	T55	SM512B	250	LONG
	T75	SM513B	265	MEDIUM LONG
	T95	SM514B	296	LONG