THE VANDOREN APPROACH TO JAZZ MOUTHPIECES

The Vandoren V16 mouthpiece emerges as a robust and compelling alternative to the widely acclaimed Meyer, Otto Link, and Jody Jazz mouthpieces. Recognized for its versatility and ease of play, this mouthpiece stands out in the world of jazz, offering a high-quality hard rubber construction that delivers the power and projection desired by discerning musicians.

Crafted with precision and attention to detail, the Vandoren V16 ensures a seamless balance between strength and flexibility. The inherent qualities of the hard rubber material contribute to the mouthpieces' ability to produce a rich and resonant sound, making it an ideal choice for jazz enthusiasts seeking a distinctive tonal character.

What sets the Vandoren V16 apart is its adaptability to various musical settings. Whether performing in a small ensemble or a big band, this mouthpiece proves to be an all-inclusive solution, eliminating the need for multiple mouthpieces for different scenarios. The ability to seamlessly transition between musical contexts showcases the V16's versatility and makes it a reliable choice for musicians with diverse playing requirements.

FEATURES

• Material: Hard rubber

• Made In: France

• Chamber: Medium / Large

• Baffle: Rollover

• Ligature: Not included

• Manufacturing Method: CNC machined and hand-finished

• Recommended for: Students and professionals alike

Chamber Size

Medium: Easy blowing. Gives you a warm sound with lots of focus and core. Great for a modern/versatile jazz sound.

Large: Requires a bit more air than the medium chamber, but the upshot is that you get a fuller "fatter" sound with lots of body. Great for a darker/vintage jazz sound.

Tip Openings 

T6 (2.50mm) A versatile mouthpiece with a long facing and a particularly rich sound.

T7 (2.70mm) A good compromise between easy sound production and timbre.

T8 (2.80mm) The most popular tip opening for the tenor. Only available with a medium chamber.

T8.5 (2.88mm) Full and compact. Only available with a large chamber.

T9 (2.94mm) Dynamic, rich and powerful.

T10 (3.05mm) A homogeneous, particularly responsive mouthpiece. Only available with a medium chamber.

T11 (3.40mm) Very open; warm, yet powerful. Only available with a medium chamber.

Staff Reviews

A full warm and round sound with plenty of character. Clearly in the Otto Link vein but with a slightly smaller chamber which just allows for that extra bit of kick when you really give it some.

I tried out the T7 model and found the piece to have quite a bit of resistance due to the short facing curve, which gave me the flexibility to get that extra bit of volume when I needed it, without the high notes becoming too hard to control.

Still fairly easy to play all over the saxophone, despite the resistance, and a great piece for those seeking a flexible Jazz piece that could do the quartet gigs and the Big Band solos - Matthew "Tone King" Racine ([email protected])

This will always be my go to recommendation for anyone wanting a good but inexpensive jazz mouthpiece. For me the V16 ticks all the boxes. They have a clean response with just the right level of resistance, they're superbly reed friendly, and they have a warm and colourful sound. Ideal if you're after something with an "Otto Link-like" quality to it. If you're able to, i'd recommend trying the Medium and Large chambers off against each other. It's not as simple as one being better than the other. They each have a different voice and feel, so it's worth trying them both to see which is best suited to your play-style - Oren Gurney ([email protected])