JodyJazz DV, JET, Theo Wanne Earth, and Berg Larsen Comparison

[@gangofgreenhorns2672]

Surprised you didn't try a stainless Berg also. Think I'm about to get one for my alto actually.

[@KevinBene]

Yes I should have addressed this. I wanted to move away from Bergs, just not happy with the consistency and quality control between pieces. I probably will try one in the future, but right now I didn't want to deal with the headache of trying multiple pieces of the same facing just to find a good one.

[@super20dan]

dont they dont work well on alto. . if you play sop -try a rubber berg. fantastic

[@derekakien7379]

Tried a s/s Berg alto - made in Belgium. Not impressed. Tried two Lawtons, better. Tried a Beechler Bellite - brilliant. Bought it. PS I blow a Berg s/s tenor 110/2 M - 55 years old made in London.

[@petegalindez9961]

Excellent review. Like the way you broke it down to the different scales and styles of music and played the same thing on each mpc. Too many reviewers play different things on different mouthpieces making it hard to do a true comparison. Nice touch using different mics too!

[@KevinBene]

Thanks so much! Appreciate you catching the details there 👌

[@bobblues1158]

The Berg is it. I appreciate that you play the scales up and down, so basic. One can hear the truth. But all of these MPs probably would sound more even with a reed that fits that piece. Bergs are really good ! Especially the metal are better made. The Ebonites are pretty inconsistent. I just received a new "Vintage" tenor, steel, 95/3 M facing and the bullet chamber. It is perfectly made, even the ligature is perfect. Great dark resonant sound. Who ever made it knew what they were doing. Plays great with different reeds.

[@KevinBene]

Hmm, the metals are more consistent eh? That is good to know... It's just hard to trust a company where their hard rubber pieces are so so inconsistent.

[@thjs]

one of the best made mouthpiece comparisons i could find...specially interested in the jody jazz jet

[@KevinBene]

Hey thanks! Yes JodyJazz is great quality!

[@jicsaxtrax]

what neck strap are you using

[@KevinBene]

@@jicsaxtrax this was the Marmaduke Featherstrap III (3)!

[@tpark89]

Really dig the Larsen and the Jodies. Theo never impressed me with *anyone* playing them. Sounds weird and hollow to my ear (can't tell what sound concept is on the creators' mind).

[@kevindeibert3369]

The Berg Larson sounded nice . I liked that one best

[@bsnmanrob]

I like your sound best on the Berg. The pitch was definitely more consistent on the Berg, too. Perhaps, it is because you have been playing Berg for a long time. I also gravitate to Berg as I have played a Berg on bari for 30 years so now I have switched to Berg on my Reference 54 tenor (105/1 M and 110/2 M). Both combined cost less that a DV! I am now looking to go to a Berg HR on alto. I also have a SuperJet for alto. I find it to be a good hybrid of the Jet and the DV for color. Thanks for the great review of these pieces. Like others, I enjoy your objectivity in the clips being so consistent for A/B comparison.

[@KevinBene]

Thanks so much!

[@skimanization]

You sounded great on Berg Larsen 80/1 maybe because you played it for a long time. I also liked your altissimo fingering, you make it sound so easy. Thanks.

[@ВладимирВознесенский-ч1л]

DV - top!

[@dynoroad]

Fat palm keys is for me the ultimate goal of a really good setup. Here, I think those sounded the best on the Theo Wanne. Trouble is, that could all be down to that particular reed which might have had a thicker tip, which usually helps with the high register if coupled with a more resistant mouthpiece (more open). Hard to judge a comparison when the same reed wasn't used for every setup.

[@noamalizia362]

Wow I have Jody jazz alto jet 8 and theo wanne fire 7 and they are very cool Like your mouthpiece

[@HDPhysiques1]

Theo Wanne Earth = by far the best

[@KevinBene]

It's a great mouthpiece!

[@josephstratemeier8619]

I agree about the pitch thing with the DV. It takes a while to get used to it, but the benefits outweigh that in my opinion. I moved away from the DVs for a while for that reason but came back recently and probably will never change, at least for the tenor.

[@jamiemeansjamesmusic]

I'm still sleeping on the DV, I've heard it's amazing, but it's a lot of money for me (I live in Vancouver BC, its always more expensive here!) but I use the Jet Tenor 8 and the HR* 8*, both great pieces, and both suited for several different situations. I love Jodys products, probably some of my favourite mouthpieces to play

[@josephstratemeier8619]

@@jamiemeansjamesmusic it was worth it for me, but yeah they're pricey. Once on a while one pops up on ebay for around $300 USD.

[@KevinBene]

Thanks for the comment! For sure a mouthpiece is not without its quirks. But the Dv definitely has a vibe unlike many pieces

[@Craig2760]

I have a Berg SS 105/1 M tenor piece from 1974. Haven’t had it out of the gear drawer in years. Think I’ll get it out today and see if I can still play it.

[@acunchevy54]

Wanna sell it?

[@vincentgaglio5106]

Thanks for the lesson on my own different mouthpieces to get help of what sounds and feels good to me, thank you

[@KevinBene]

Thanks for the comment Vinny, my pleasure to work with you! See you next week 😎🎷

[@MrYazg]

Sound nice, what was your recording set-up ?

[@KevinBene]

Hey thanks! Recorded on a Cascade fathead ribbon mic going into a Focusrite Scarlett using Reaper DAW. Some parts were just recorded on my phone just to get a different sound.

[@SaxSith]

The Berg is the best ! I don’t play a berg but it still the best of all😊

[@saxmachine73]

Thanks, mate. the big sound comes from the air you holding in your body. so you really looking for mp that does not interfere with the process. classic autolink or hard rubber with a much bigger opening will highlite your bouncy sound.

[@diegobalux4092]

reed type for the JodyJazz DV Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece Model 8 (.090 Tip)

[@johnskamnakis2501]

Great video,as always! I play a Jumbo Java A35 which has a high buffle and a small(ish) chamber. Have you ever tried one? If so, do you think it's brighter or darker than the ones you played? I think that you sounded a little better with the DV. Thank you and stay safe!

[@KevinBene]

Thanks for the comment! I have tried the Jumbo Java. Definitely brighter than all of these. It was way too bright for me at the time I tried it. Also, the term "chamber" sometimes means different things depending on who you talk to. The Jumbo Java actually has a large chamber, some people call this the "bore". It has a very high baffle which inherently makes the space inside the mouthpiece smaller (some people call that the "chamber") . But that high baffle funnels down into a large round chamber, so the Jumbo Java was not on my radar to try again. Hopefully that makes sense!

[@johnskamnakis2501]

@@KevinBene Of course, it makes sense! Thanks again!

[@michaeldavis9954]

A fantastic review. Thanks for being clear, descriptive and straight.

[@KevinBene]

Thanks so much!

[@zyfur5448]

Great review man I always love your stuff. I do have a question though for anyone who can answer it. I’m trying to go up reed strength from a 3 in vandoren blue box to a 3 in vandoren v12’s which are supposedly half a strength harder. What are some exercises I should be doing to make this process easier?

[@KevinBene]

Thanks for the comment! Definitely would love to see some others participate in this question.. My first advice would be to actually go down to the 2.5 v12 as they are a bit stiff and get comfortable with that. But otherwise, mouthpiece exercises are a great way to up the embouchure muscles as well as train yourself to use proper air support. Basically playing only on the mouthpiece and bending the pitch up and down in a controlled manner. Start with getting comfortable just bending the pitch down as far as you can, you will need to use a lot of air! At least 5 minutes doing that and you will be surprised a stiffer reed may start to feel more comfortable.

[@MrRafalSC]

Jody Jazz Jet 6 vs Theo Wanne Earth 6 : 1 easy to play? 2. Better intonation?

[@KevinBene]

Ease of emmision would go to the Jody Jazz from what I can remeber. The added resistance that Theo Wanne had helped with a cleaner altissimo though. Both were pretty solid on intonation. I mentioned that the jody jazz DV table cut out made the intonation a bit funky in the high range. But once your used to it, it plays pretty spot on.

[@Tmasta24]

Which one has the best price? I’m a Senior in highschool so I don’t have the funds to go above $300

[@KevinBene]

I would go with either the Jody Jazz Jet or Theo Wanne Earth. Jet is the cheapest one.

[@Tmasta24]

Kevin Bene thank you! I almost bought a Meyer 5, but I heard they are rather inconsistent.

[@KevinBene]

@@Tmasta24 you got it. I would also say the the Jet is considerably brighter than the Meyer 5. The Theo Wanne Earth will be a bit closer I would say.

[@feden84]

Hi! Great video. Tks! I have a yana metal, a jet, a meyer and a theo earth. I have intonation problems with the theo. How do you feel about it?

[@KevinBene]

I did not feel any intonation problems with my Earth piece, actually I thought the intonation was spot on. But with that said, every mouthpiece, just like horns, have different intonation tendencies. The Earth may have tendencies that are much different than the Yani and Meyer piece.

[@feden84]

@@KevinBene Hey! I just got the DV 6 (which I traded from a DV NY 6) and I am amazed. I just does everything great and it's easy to play. Such a full sound and projection! I'm selling all other pieces, lol. PS: DV NY sucks unless you want a tenor sound on an alto with no projection at all.

[@KevinBene]

@@feden84 very nice! Still loving my DV, and still impressed with what it can do! DV NY, tenor sound on alto sounds enticing but you will usually loose a lot of center, core and projection in my opinion. I am not too much a fan of larger chambers in general. But great that you are digging the DV!

[@BobDoherty]

You got an amazing sound on that Berg 80/1.

[@curtisvalle5141]

Tried to be fair.......the DV wins. I play a DV7 on tenor after an older OL forever. Always kinda shied away from metal on alto..... cause... metal equals bright.. right? Uh... no... maybe? Playing HRs forever did make the metals seem skinny in my mouth.... sopish-like...weird. On alto played HR Lakey 7 (new in 1978..was told Claude made it when I sent it in for some work... no charge.... good people) .. broketip/FUBAR few yrs, back.... mourned.... now play older HR Ponzol, Klim, Bari 9 hybrid. Further, Lakey HR 6 on sop. just dont like metal skinny except tenor ( sold Lakey 7 HR tenor quick... too fat feeling). recently bought JJ HR 7 for bari (cause it was in stock) I like it ok but prob. like metal better. Pontificated here cause for me, seems obvious I care more about how I feel on it than anything else.. ... the sound will come. Wow I'm Sorry... I don't practice enough to be taken seriously anymore (ever ?).... so.... scream those subtones and good luck.

[@KevinBene]

Cool! Thanks for the comment.

[@vincentgaglio5106]

Nice great review

[@KevinBene]

Thanks Vinny!

[@hazlitt1]

Great job Kevin.

[@KevinBene]

Hey thanks!

[@hazlitt1]

@@KevinBene I don’t think there’s much between the Berg and the Jody DV. What do you think? Was one easier than the other to play? Thanks. Subscribed.

[@KevinBene]

@@hazlitt1 you know, feeling wise and in general sound wise, not too much difference! Of course you get a metal piece with the DV so in general more focus and a bit more top ring. But yeah, very similar pieces for sure. I would be curious to compare a metal berg 1 chamber with the DV.

[@hazlitt1]

@@KevinBene That’s what I’m trying to do. As I rather like the Berg and want to make sure it’s better than the DV before I buy. Thanks Kevin.

[@paulshearer8762]

Everything sounds great, i think i may give up, ill never be that good

[@diegsvelasquez1608]

Paul shearer nah man keep climbing

[@Joshua-gv1ep]

You’ll get there

[@KevinBene]

Don't give up!! Little by little by little.

[@OscarMoly]

Berg Larsen wins 🔥

[@super20dan]

berg hands down

[@kqa241]

I've just bought an Earth, after trying some reeds like V16, Traditional, ZZ...All are #2,5. I found that it is quite hard to play low notes on the Earth. It's easier than the Beechler, but harder than Hard Rubber pieces and some metal pieces like Yanagisawa metal,... Do you feel the same on the Earth, or the one of mine maybe has something wrong?

[@KevinBene]

Hmm that's a tough one. What's the tip opening? I can't recall the Earth having any issues with the low register or being harder to play at all. You may just need to play more on the piece, a lot of low long tones specifically. Hard to think that a Theo Wanne has a design flaw since their quality control is so good. But who knows the Earth and Fire are his "budget" pieces, maybe corners are cut on the quality. Again super hard stuff to diagnose without hearing or seeing.

[@kqa241]

Mine is a 7, I can play low notes easily with Claude Lakey 6*3, D'addario Select Jazz D6M, Yanagisawa metal #7, Beechler Diamond S7S,.... But not with Beechler. I can not make any low notes speak on beechler, it's easier on the Earth, but not like my expectation as a FREE BLOWING Theo Wanne Piece. High and Middle Notes are booms.

[@kqa241]

But I will do a lot of low long tones like you said, see if it could make any better.

[@KevinBene]

@@kqa241 yeah. I would say use the softer reeds, softest reeds out of the 2.5s or possibly try 2s? Softer is better (easier) for low range but of course at the expense of high range.

[@kqa241]

Thanks Kevin, do you use Facebook regularly, I've just sent you a Friend request on FB.

[@RLTrane]

Hey sounds great! So I'm looking for something with a little a more edge than my meyer/theo wanna ny bros. I got a Jody jazz jet, but it's a bit too bright I think. I like the sound of the berg. Does it feel closed to you? I usually play between 7-8 meyer (7 on Jody jazz jet is closer to 8 on meyer). I was thinking 85/1 or 90/1. Anyways sorry for the long question. Sounds great!

[@KevinBene]

Hey thanks for the comment! Yeah I would say that the hard rubber Berg 1 chambers are slightly less bright then the JodyJazz Jet, they have a bit more low end, and in general give a wider more sweeping tone (you can hear in the video). Feeling wise they are within the same ball park for sure, both small horseshoe chamber baffled pieces. An 85 or 90 tip would probably be right up your alley. Bergs are pretty inconsistent I have had 90s play like 80s and vice versa. I usually get a few when trying out Bergs and disregard the number.

[@RLTrane]

@@KevinBene awesome! Thanks for the response. I work on cruise ships and have to play all styles and am always getting drowned out by brass and rhythm. My meyer/ theo wanne new York just don't cut. I've never really considered the bergs before but I like how they sound. I may consider tryin a 90/1 if I find one. I'd rather a little too open than too closed. Thanks again and you sound great!

[@ivanrobles2657]

Cual es mas comoda y con mejor sonido a tu consideracion

[@KevinBene]

So far the Jody Jazz Dv6 still!

[@AlexVolkhin13]

Berg Larsen 80/1 sms or m?)

[@KevinBene]

Sms

[@diegsvelasquez1608]

Does anyone know what V means instead of sms on the Berg Larsens?

[@JunkMailBoxStuff]

@@diegsvelasquez1608 That's not a "V" it is an "M" that is missing the side legs - likely due to the flat metal stamp used on a round mouthpiece shank. The ones made in the past 15 years are not like the ones of the last, but they can be found rather easily. It will be a quest with any saxophone and saxophone mouthpiece. I play an YAS-875 (original -not EX, silver) with the M neck. Just ordered the V1. Hope that helps for what I'm looking for - contemporary sound. I use a Vandoren Jumbo Java but need a little more edge. On my YTS-875 (also original, silver) with a G1 neck & I play a stainless Berg Larsen 120/0 and it is a perfect match. Still on the hunt for the (my) perfect alto sound.

[@obadee2000]

Thanks for this Video. Which of this mouthpieces do you prefer among the 4 tested?

[@KevinBene]

For me the DV 6 was my top choice.

[@marcogue_]

Top content man

[@KevinBene]

Thank you Marco!

[@sablezubshruz9811]

Great review - Thank you, Kevin ! ))) Could you please tell what makes sound of this alto sax kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4WbnaBmd5enhKc --- so kind of darkish-mellow, I've tried maybe 10 different mouthpieces, with different ligatures, but never get anything close. Thank you again for all your lessons and reviews !!! Your Flamenco Sketches (Cannonball) are AWESOME!!!!

[@KevinBene]

Unfortunately I do not know what mouthpiece is played in that video, sorry. The dark sound you can get from classical style mouthpieces like the Selmer S80, S90, and soloist mouthpieces could work. Also Vandoren V5 series and optimum series. Have you tried any of these?.... Remember at the end of the day the player makes the tone. If I had to guess the player in that video is playing a Meyer MP and has a mellow sound concept which she practiced to get. Hopefully this is of some help.

[@johnskamnakis2501]

Have you tried the metal Berg Larsens? Are they easy to play? How are they different from the hard rubber ones?

[@KevinBene]

Thanks for the comment!! Have not tried metal bergs... I was going to try them, and they could have been my go to. But I was tired of the inconsistencies from Bergs, you have to try at least 3 of the same facing to get one that works well. I didn't wanted to go through that headache, and I wanted to support brands that have way better quality control.

[@johnskamnakis2501]

@@KevinBene I see... You should not worry, though, since you sound great on the DV!