Review of Vandoren V16 T6 small chamber metal mouthpiece

[@puravida1949]

A beautiful tenor sax sound!! Fabulous control of the altissimo register!! Bravo!!!

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks

[@joshcharlat850]

Ok...since I'm one of your followers I'll "stay tuned." Those aboard never imagined they'd get to hear a player like you.

[@colinanderson8490]

Mate, you leave every other reviewer and player in your wake . I can't wait to see what you do with your talents

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks

[@JahdaiCarter]

I am in love with the high reflection room demonstration. Amazing playing. I will strive for my tone to be remotely close to yours

[@BringBackMasculinity1987]

4:27 U killed it bro! My favorite part

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks!

[@TheAvgCommentator]

In a Sentimental Mood. If you were wondering.

[@doctormaccoy]

Nearing the end of my playing days, I have found the V16 T6 small chamber and easier blowing mouthpiece than any others I have tried. I have used everything from Berg Larsen to Otto Link and the hard rubber V16 T7 (and others) in my playing career. Really impressed with the sound you have demonstrated with the small chamber. Nice demo.

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks

[@pyannaguy4361]

I wonder if I could trouble you for a minute of your time, David? Your comment caught my eye because of your mention of >>Nearing the end of my playing days>easier blowing mouthpiece than any others I have tried

[@GrahameEasthope]

I love Otto Link STM tenor mouthpieces. I have three. A New York, a Retro Revival replica of a Florida Double Ring and 90's No USA. All are very good pieces. Four years ago a bought a Vandoren V16 T7 medium chamber metal for tenor. I played it for about six months, but I never fell in love with it...until I recently changed reeds from Vandoren Java green box 2.5's (unfiled) to Vandoren red box 3's (filed). Then I fell in love with it. Then I got curious. I was suddenly wondering what the small chamber version of the V16 T7 would be like. Not easy to find, but I got one. I can honestly say it's the best tenor mouthpiece I have ever played. It sounds and feels like a Link STM with a hint of the Guardala/Brecker vibe. (I've had Guardala's too..). Thank you for the video. It convinced me to pull the trigger on the V16 small chamber. I'm happy.

[@briandenigan9832]

I have been fortunate enough to have found your channel some time ago. You are an INCREDIBLE player and fantastic teacher. Thank you so much for taking the time to give so many of us invaluable insight into the more advanced aspects of equipment, technique, sound, etc... You had mentioned something about the Vandoren lig not fitting properly with the reeds that you were playing on (filed, was it?). What reed and strength do you find that works best with this particular piece? I look forward to many more of your instructional videos. All the best.

[@Sirvalorsax]

My other and older Vandoren ligature has the same issue. Its not terrible but I would like a better fit. By the way, its only the wavy plate that has this issue. The other plates fit just fine. I use Red Box Vandoren 2.5 reeds(unfiled)

[@janymikeptz1156]

Can you please elaborate on why you chose the small chamber version?

[@Sirvalorsax]

I'm hoping to get a chance to try the larger chamber versions of this piece just to do a full comparison of the 3 BUT.... I was looking specifically for a small chamber mouthpiece and Vandoren makes really high quality stuff. When I checked online that the price was only $285 with the ligature, it was a no-brainer! I still have yet to see it listed for that price anywhere since then. I don't really like the trend of "Big Bell, Large Chamber, Fat Neck.....) Its all a little bit out of hand especially when you consider that so many people still want the vintage sax sounds and they weren't made this way.

[@LaurieSavage]

Sounds great, I have an older T75 and can't push the altissimo like you can, but hey, practice makes perfect!

[@charlesmartin374]

What size reed you using with theT6

[@joshcharlat850]

Hi. Just amazing to hear your altissime (notes being feminine in Italian)... a little Ellington all in that rarified range. I was wondering how many mouth pieces you use? Your comments at the end seemed to imply that lately you've been on a search. Finally do you play in a lot of different group situations, and can you direct us to any videos where we can hear you play with other musicians?

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks for tuning in to my channel. I still mostly use my metal Vandoren T6. It mostly depends on the type of show I'm doing. I have only had one day off in the last 3 months so I vary my mouthpieces often. I work "in the travel industry" and we are all over the place. I don't list which one because I can't advertise their brand this way. There will likely be big changes in the future though where I can go into more detail.

[@seanwintersax]

You got yourself another sub man. I've been watching your videos today and you get it.

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks! I really appreciate the support!

[@briandenigan9832]

What web site did you find the mouthpiece plus ligature for $285? I haven't seen that price for the two items anywhere. Thanks for all your help.

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks for the positive feedback!! I got this on Amazon. you have to check all the time to see what pops up. I think music stores have them but they don't sell so they sell them on Amazon cheaper. As soon as I saw this I bought in immediately. I couldn't believe it myself. I think because people are so into large chamber more open facings, this piece was able to sell as low as it did.

[@briandenigan9832]

Thanks for the info. I'll keep my eyes open for a deal. I need to find a more stable piece. I've been playing on a way too open mthpc for far too long. Time to work on my sound and not worry about the efficiency of my mouthpiece anymore. Been super frustrated with what I have.

[@Sirvalorsax]

What piece are you playing on and what size?

[@briandenigan9832]

For years, I've been blowing on the Sugal kWll gold plated. It was opened to about a .134 by mouthpiece master, Bob Carpenter outside of Seattle. I always liked it because of the thick rails and openness. There was a time that it seemed to have a quicker response, as well as blowing strong and stable from top to bottom. It seemed to always give me a pretty fat sound. Always seem to be on gigs that are dominated by sequencers, keys and guitars. Just trying to have a presence. Now, I struggle with my setup and sound continually. I was using Fibracells regularly, but found out they have become too inconsistent. Wish I could find the formula! :)

[@Sirvalorsax]

One of my old teachers reamed me about playing a too open setup. I thought he was a bit off until I played his. I then realized that I was working waaayyy too hard. Now I'll tell you something you already know..... YOU WILL NEVER ACOUSTICALLY PLAY LOUDER THAN RHYTHM PLAYERS!!!!!! SO STOP TRYING. I might have to go 6 months with no day off so playing a 0.134 is not possible especially when I might have to play 4-5 hours some days and double on clarinet as well. My advise is to do what they do.....USE AMPLIFICATION!! Make sure you can play too loud with the amplifier and microphone and fail it back from there. I also use a lip out embouchure to free up the resistance on the mouthpiece. Good Luck

[@Ayers76]

Awesome. Am I in doubt between the medium 7 or is the small 6, which do you recommend 😅?????????

[@Sirvalorsax]

The small chamber is something of an acquired taste in my opinion where I think the medium chamber is more of what people look for in a mouthpiece. Keep in mind, I haven't playtested the medium chamber but from the response from my viewers, they feel like it is the middle ground. It is a good idea to have played small chamber mouthpieces before in order to know what to expect from the small chamber Vandoren. It is still my favorite mouthpiece. If you can check to see what the return policy is, it is in your best interest to get them both and return the one you don't want especially if you don't get the right tip opening.

[@Ayers76]

Sirvalorsax thanks🙏

[@adamsaunders790]

Did Vandoren change the design of these when they switched from the single ...T55, T75, T95 to the T6, T7, T8 in small, medium, and large chambers? I once had a T75 from around 2000 and I remember it having fairly straight sidewalls, whereas the new ones look more rounded.

[@Sirvalorsax]

I don't know. I tried one (metal gold plated something) around the same year and I almost bought it then but it was a bit out of my price range.

[@tltate]

Are you onboard a ship? This is the best video yet on these mouthpieces.

[@Sirvalorsax]

Yep. Cruise ship.

[@errorcute6991]

Cool sound

[@DUBAIGAMES9]

Hey bro, amazing video, and thank you for that, bro which Reed do you use on this video? Thank you bro 🙌🏻🙌🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻❤️

[@Sirvalorsax]

Vandoren redbox 2.5

[@kenjiyrey2362]

By any chance does the FL ligature for metal tenor fit on this mouthpiece?

[@Sirvalorsax]

I don't know what an Fl Ligature is.

[@kenjiyrey2362]

Sirvalorsax Francois Louis ultimate ligatures

[@Sirvalorsax]

I unfortunately am not that familiar with that product. My next ligature might be the $200 Silverstein. If I can find one ligature that fits all, the $200 price tag actually starts to sound more reasonable.

[@apno7234]

What is the melody you're playing @4:55? It sounds so beautiful

[@Sirvalorsax]

These are snippets from an exercise that I created 20 years ago. It gives me a full range of the instrument with altissimo, straight and subtones in the lower register, scales and arpeggios along with a nice sense of melody. I tried to play it in all of my mouthpiece reviews in some form or another so the listener can have a good basis for comparison. Thanks :)

[@jgoedhart]

I guess its in a sentimental.mood ?

[@elliotlabbate7078]

Awesome, what reeds are you on for this mouthpiece ? Can only assume Vandoren v16 3 or 3.5? Great videos though, been following your for years and never disappoint

[@Sirvalorsax]

Hello and thanks for tuning back in. I use Vandoren Red Box 2.5. Vandoren blue box #2 for Classical. I also use a lip out embouchure which allows me to use a much softer setup and get a lot of sound.

[@freshlysqueezedaesthetics2942]

Oh no man you can't leave me hanging, my improv game kids dry, please make some vids about some of those licks, and if you can an improv vid, I love and appreciate the tools I got from your videos, but learning how to apply them is what makes them relevant. PLEASE keep up the GREAT work.

[@freshlysqueezedaesthetics2942]

Especially 6:30 and around 5:30

[@Sirvalorsax]

Hello and thanks for tuning in. Improv stuff is next on the list!!

[@freshlysqueezedaesthetics2942]

Sirvalorsax Thanks so much, I really need help on that, I'm a big beginner on that topic.

[@freshlysqueezedaesthetics2942]

Sirvalorsax And sorry about the errors in my comment, I was sleepy lol

[@freshlysqueezedaesthetics2942]

One last thing, can you do a vid on embrochure and tone quality? I feel stifled when I play, my band directors keep telling me that I play too softly even when I use more mouthpiece, blow harder, loosen up my throat, and everything else. I feel like I hit a dead end road, and if you can give me some pointers on these topics, I can really improve.

[@richardolson8651]

what would u expect to be different if u played the med or large chamber V16 with T6 opening. More or less back pressure, or more free blowing. Less or more air to get it up and running. i would assume a larger chamber would give u fatter low notes and take more air to play them, but u sound great all over the horn. Thanks for imfo very interesting. Thinking of getting V16 T6 but not sure what size chamber. I like playing lower rather than higher.

[@Sirvalorsax]

My first advice would be to find out what their return policy is and try all three. Nothing is worse than being stuck with an expensive mouthpiece that you don't like.LOL! Just return the ones that you don't like. As for the chamber sizes though, you get an easier blowing low register with the larger chamber and more forward projection with a smaller one. I think th small chamber pieces are more challenging to play and not really a beginner type of chamber. There is more immediate gratification with more open chamber pieces because of the way the sound reflects back to the player. I will soon do another video on why I prefer the small chamber T6 very soon

[@richardolson8651]

That would be great, it's a mysterious area not covered much. Much thanks@@Sirvalorsax

[@motivation89742]

Have you had a chance to try the medium chamber?

[@Sirvalorsax]

Not yet. I was recently looking into it for an upcoming review but I need to get my book off the ground first

[@MrSoothingjazz]

I like this one

[@rozmanl]

Does this vandoren optimum ligature also fit on dukoff?

[@Sirvalorsax]

I don't know about the modern Dukoffs but it does fit my older ones

[@rozmanl]

@@Sirvalorsax I also have an older one. Thanks!

[@Sirvalorsax]

@@rozmanl it fits on one of my older ones and not on the other

[@rozmanl]

@@Sirvalorsax M8?

[@Sirvalorsax]

@@rozmanl it fits my L8 but not the M8

[@alucius1]

I found this in medium chamber on eBay. Anxious about pulling the trigger because of it being used. What are your thoughts?

[@Sirvalorsax]

I haven't played the medium chamber version at all. I just recently picked up and reviewed the T5 Large Chamber and it is made much differently than I thought it would be made. I would check to see what the return penalty is in case you don't like it. Also, it might be worth getting it new if you can try it for a while and return it if the facing isn't right for you or if you just don't like it. The metal V16 T6 small chamber is still my favorite mouthpiece.

[@alucius1]

@@Sirvalorsax awesome. Thanks for the reply. I'm going to keep looking for a deal. You also have a point about being able to return it should it not be a good fit

[@josephdanmichaeldiaz6636]

Hi my good sir!, can u review a v16 medium chamber? i need help in choosing whether to get a small chamber or a medium chamber. Just wanna know the differences on capabilities and sound settings of both mouthpieces. Thankyou sir! ( I hope you notice this huhu)

[@Sirvalorsax]

How long have you been playing?

[@josephdanmichaeldiaz6636]

@@Sirvalorsax i've been playing for about 3 years on alto, but i just got a tenor and i've been playing for 3 months now. We lack resources here on the philippines, and somebody's selling me a medium chamber T6. Im afraid to buy coz i totally want the small chamber like yours

[@josephdanmichaeldiaz6636]

Im wondering if the medium chamber sounds close to the small chamber.. And im wondering if the medium chamber can still produce the bright sound like the small chamber produces..

[@Sirvalorsax]

I general, I would recommend the small chamber to more experienced players because the resistance can take some time to get used to. I would advise you to try the medium before you buy it. That should at least help determine if you like it or not. I'm trying to find a way to get a medium and a large chamber cheaply so I can review them.

[@josephdanmichaeldiaz6636]

Yey! Great! My current mouthpiece on the tenor is a rico metalite. I like it so much! But im looking for more body to the sound, but still maintain the brightness and when i saw your video of the small chamber, it felt like that was the answer. Hehe

[@JunkMailBoxStuff]

Beautiful tenor sax sound. I think you found the 'holy grail' of mouthpieces for sound. Awesome dry, with (real hall) reverb, from p > ff, and your warm-up exercises for tonal range demonstration of this T6 was really musical and enjoyable. Great review. 👍👍👍

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks man :) This is the acoustic sound from the backstage area of a cruise ship. All metal area and lots of fun. Also great for comparing it to the dry area to try to get that reverb effect in all dry rooms.

[@abedinsubashi]

What horn are you using. You sound god like on it

[@Sirvalorsax]

Cannonball Vintage Reborn

[@abedinsubashi]

Sirvalorsax I was recently looking at some videos because I’m thinking of upgrading my mouthpiece to this and while you sound great, other players say that this mouthpiece has a “stuffy”sound. Idk if it’s because they were playing on the medium chamber or if this feature is the same on the rest of the mouthpieces

[@adysaxman77]

This sounds really crisp and bright! You must have blown the synthetic reeds I'm guessing? Would love to hear what sound you would get from these mouthpieces using a BARI reed.

[@RalfieSuave]

adysaxman77 Bari reeds are terrible Legere is better

[@adysaxman77]

Raf the Tortle not if you customise them, by rubbing them down with the finest grade wet and dry sanding paper. I've blown mine for the last two years, and I play a lot, I busk on the streets for 2.5 hours at a time. Have you tried customising them yourself?

[@RalfieSuave]

adysaxman77 No I'm not to confident with customizing reeds

[@adysaxman77]

Raf the Tortle it's not so difficult, all you have to do is tape a sheet of finest wet and dry sanding paper to a flat and even surface, then push down on the reed (smooth side down) and rub the reed one firm stroke at a time, testing the reed between each stroke until you get to a place where the reed blows through the high to low (standard, not altissimo) registers comfortably. I've found the BARI blows the socks off of any cane reed that I've blown in the past, and is fantastic for the altissimo notes.

[@RalfieSuave]

adysaxman77 alright thank you sir

[@rushaunlee6328]

Does the small chamber gives a bigger sound?

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks for tuning in to my channel. I haven't tried the more open chamber mouthpieces of the same make so I wouldn't want to speculate on that without having tried it BUT!!, In general the sound is just different. My Dukoff M8 has a small chamber and it is super powerful. Also the Theo Wanne metal Datta has a large chamber and that had a big sound as well. There is a small chamber sound that some people are into and other aren't. This is my favorite mouthpiece ever but it did take some getting use to. (Mainly knowing what to listen for when I was playing it. When I recorded myself, it became BLATANTLY OBVIOUS this was the one. Now I can hear it all the time)

[@rushaunlee6328]

Sirvalorsax so does the otto link size 8 also gives a big sound?

[@Sirvalorsax]

I would like to know who's sound you think is "big" so I can have a reference point. So many people have a different concept. There is a video of Chris Potter and Bob Reynolds playing together and you hear a clear difference in their approach and they are basically using the same equipment. In general, the more open the tip, the bigger the sound.

[@ВикторКуртасов]

У вас любой мундштук звучит хорошо))!

[@katocoltrane4411]

Love the sound, greatly influenced my decision to get the T6 small chamber, and its great. What reed do you use ( typically and/ or for this specific mouthpiece). Van doren java red 2.5 has been good for me on this mouthpiece.

[@Sirvalorsax]

I use Vandoren Red Box 2.5 for this piece. Sometimes I'll use V12 2.5 or Blue box #2 for my darker mouthpieces.

[@brothermanv]

Great video as always! I just got a Jumbo Java T95. This will be a heavy contender when I upgrade to a metal piece. The ligature was supposed to come with a cap. It sucks they didn't give you one. As far as the ligature not fitting correctly, have you tried using different plates? I use the one with four prongs with V16 reeds and I've never had a problem with it not fitting. I'm not sure if it fits differently since I have a larger hard rubber mouthpiece.

[@Sirvalorsax]

Hello and thanks for tuning in. I have tried all the different plates and they are a bit snug. I'm thinking it might be the unfiled reeds that are just that little bit thicker causing such a snug fit. I am interested in trying the Jumbo Java T45. Its been in my "cart" for a while but I haven't pulled the trigger on that one yet.

[@brothermanv]

I was really close to returning my Jumbo Java because the reeds I got were too soft. But after getting the right reeds, I really like it. It does sound like a metal, high baffle piece, but I find that I can't push it as hard as a metal piece. But for only $120, I can't complain.

[@pgibbs]

Facing on a T6 is 0.098

[@Sirvalorsax]

I got this information 0.095 from the Vandoren website www.vandoren-en.com/downloads/Comparison-index_t16775.html

[@pgibbs]

You got a good deal. I got one recently and it's encouraging to hear you crank out the altissimo like that. Check this first guy out on T6M kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXnScqN5lq5qkNk

[@Sirvalorsax]

YEH MAN!! I love Ralph Bowen :)

[@Njderig]

I don't like the sound of this mouthpiece at all. The Theo Wannes are much richer sounding. This Vandoren sounds so dry and muted.

[@akeemburke7211]

Njderig you smoke bruv?😂😂 Vandoren is muchhhhhh warmer

[@Njderig]

this piece sounds dull and dark. I prefer a bright mouthpiece and he sounds great on the Shiva

[@Sirvalorsax]

I totally see how people can prefer the Theo Wanne pieces over the Vandoren. For my taste, I like a mouthpiece that does less so I can do more. For me, I felt like the Theo Wanne pieces were playing themselves and limited what I was trying to do. I get the same impression from Otto Links forcing me into that "dark place" in the sound. Keep in mind that the Theo Wanne metal Datta was by far my favorite of the Theo Wanne's and had I bought a 7 instead of a 9 it would for sure be in my Allstar mouthpiece line up.

[@Njderig]

It's amazing how different people's opinions can be even on the same mouthpiece. I feel that the Shiva Destroyer original (not the 2) that I play on gives me that freedom of sound. It can play whisper quiet and roar and soar into the high register and still sound meaty, also altissimo is pretty easy to get on this piece. I have a dukoff D7 which is loud as hell but tends to get thin in the upper range. Off topic for s second: A really cool trick I found to get a bigger sound out of an alto sax and fatten it up is to use a tenor reed on an alto mouthpiece. I have a Dukoff D9 and use the ligature it came with and a tenor Vandoren green java 3.5 sounds amazing on this. It's super loud, bright, buzzy and wet sounding, fatter all through the entire range, altissimo comes out even easirt. I havent used an ato reed in three years and probably never will ever again. Earl Bostic used to do this on his alto. He is the greatest of all time in my humble opinion. Sorry for the long rant. Anyways I loved the way you sounded on both the metal and HR Datta. I want to try a 10m fan Boss mouthpiece. These things sound ridiculously amazing like nothing Ive ever heard before.

[@geoffparker3907]

Too much reverb!