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Selmer Mouthpieces S80 vs. S90. What's the difference?

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Has anyone tried playing the S80 and S90 series Selmer mouthpieces side by side? What kinds of observations did you make? How are they different? Thanks.

I currently play a Selmer S90, 190 facing on Alto. The tip opening is about the same as the S80 C*, but the facing must be longer. I use a #2 1/2 reed on the S90, but the same reed is much too soft on the C*. The sound is a bit darker on the S90. I like it better than the C*, although I'll admit I've never been able to play a C*. I like the sound everyone else gets on the C* , but it just doesn't work for me. I have several recordings on my website (website) that I made with the S90, if that helps. The sax is a Buffet Prestige.

The Selmer S80 C* mouthpiece and the S90 190 mouthpiece both have a tip opening of 1.70 mm and facing length of 22 mm, according to Selmer's mouthpiece tables. The S90 reportedly has a slightly larger chamber and darker sound. Both have square throats. There is a "retro" model, the Soloist, with a round chamber and the same measurements. Best, Chuck Currie Sax Noir Studio website

Hey guys, I agree with Chuck. Although the dimensions are the same on the S80 C* and the S90 190, for me the S90 has a bit of a darker sound. I also play on a Selmer C* soloist "retro" model with a size 4 Vandoren Traditional reed and because of it's round chamber has a bit of a brighter sound, although still dark and full for classical playing. I usually use the "retro" C* for solo work because of it's slightly brighter sound and the S90 190 for ensemble playing because of it's darker, more controlled sound. I hope any of this information can help!

[FONT="Comic Sans MS"][SIZE="3"] I've used S80 mouthpieces on my soprano, used a D for some years, then an E, but eventually found it too closed, and tried an F, then G, but still found the sound too "thin"/"pinched"/"narrow"? In other words it didn't allow me to fill the horn with air, and "sing"! I've been using a VanDoren V35 I believe (the number's been scratched up), and I may have had it even opened up a bit. I've been really interested in seeing what so many believe is special about the SuperSession model. I was about to order one from WWBW, but they jumped the price up by $80, while I was awaiting it from being back-ordered. I suppose I should've still ordered it, just to try, and then buy it from somewhere else if I liked it... Does anyone know how it compares to the S80 pieces? Or have any recommendations for a big, fat, warm sounding soprano mouthpiece? For that matter, an alto or tenor one, as I'm always looking for "that perfect sound".... ;) [/SIZE][/FONT]

Hi, folks Saxnflutman, the Vandoren A35 is slightly more open than the Selmer E mouthpiece. 2.03 mm tip opening. Glad this came up in the thread. I used Selmer mouthpieces up to about 5 years ago, until I started working with Michael Lomax who made my clarinet mouthpieces. He sent me his early prototypes, and I gave him some feedback...they were very good, but not quite what I was after. He informed me that 296 out of 300 players at a recent Paris Conservatory saxophone contest had been using Vandoren A27 or A28 alto mouthpieces. I told him that Vancouver was a "Selmer or Rousseau" town and I had never even seen a Vandoren sax mouthpiece in stock locally. I ordered in every size for every saxophone on trial. I ended up on SL4, AL4, T20 and B35 mouthpieces and for the first time was very happy on all instruments. (It turned out that Claude Delangle, a gear nut who trys everything like me, was on pretty much the same setups...totally independently.) However, since then Michael kept working on his mouthpieces and I have recently begun using his Soprano medium open and Alto Classic C+ (although the D+ is also fine and has it's proponents.) In addition I am using his Vintage LA 7m on alto and tenor for jazz. I've never been happier. Really worth checking out. You will find Michael will do anything to make the artist happy. In fact he ended up standardizing the C+ alto mouthpiece at 1.71 mm opening at my request. The C++ is 1.75 mm. A real innovator with great knowledge and integrity. website Best regards, Chuck website

Thanks for all of the great info. It's all very helpful.

I'm pretty sure that the selmer soloist model has a horseshoe chamber, unless it is the Larry Teal model, in which case it does have round chamber and very closed tip opening.

Reedman, I goofed, my VanDoren is not an A35, but an S35, which is much more open than a Selmer E, and is a bit more open than the F.....

[QUOTE=SaxnFlutman;647]Reedman, I goofed, my VanDoren is not an A35, but an S35, which is much more open than a Selmer E, and is a bit more open than the F.....[/QUOTE] SaxnFlutman, S35 is the most open Soprano mouthpiece that Vandoren makes, 1.82 mm tip opening, with a medium long facing: their jazz Soprano mouthpiece. Their older sax mouthpieces are designated by the initial of the size of saxophone (S,A,T or B) with a two digit number indicating the model, larger numbers being wider tip openings. The new Vandoren Optimum classical mouthpieces are designated SL, AL, TL and BL. They have a 3 or a 4 in each. For alto, these are roughly equivalent to the old A27 or A28, which they still make. The new V16 Jazz mouthpieces are designated with S, A, T or B and a single digit number. The alto numbers compare roughly in size to Meyer mouthpieces, and the tenor numbers to Otto Link. Best, Chuck Currie website

Hello, Here is my view of the s90 and s80...I have played on both and the S90 is a very even clear tone throughout the entire range of the instrument. There are no "bumps" in the tone it is completely even. It is also a bit lighter is sound then the S80. In the S80 there is a personality to the sound it becomes a bit individualized to the person and the S90 seems to have less of a personality the tone it creates is what you get. I recommend the S90 170 or 180 facing if you go that route. I keep experimenting with my sound but always go back to my old set-up. I have an s80 that I hand picked out of 40. Its a great mouthpiece and if you find a good one hang on to it. Good Luck! Cory Barnfield Jefferson County Public Schools Sop with LSQ Sax instructor Governors School for the Arts website website