tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13630144.post156407748105902948..comments2023-12-04T09:29:06.375-08:00Comments on Casa Valdez Studios: NAMM 2011- part II (Aaron Drake)David Carlos Valdezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02338319345488366328noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13630144.post-24177143569308983632011-01-30T11:18:12.598-08:002011-01-30T11:18:12.598-08:00I think that on some of the Drake pieces they work...I think that on some of the Drake pieces they work well, but not all. It just depends on how bright or dark they are. To me a ligature is the thing use use to balance the out timbre tendencies of the piece you're playing.<br /><br /> The design is fine for me, since I'm used to playing a vintage Selmer expando lig anyway. You just need to make sure Aaron fits the lig to where you like it on the piece. If you like it lower then Aaron will file out the reed slot so it slides down further.David Carlos Valdezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02338319345488366328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13630144.post-28658823732957824392011-01-29T21:35:22.936-08:002011-01-29T21:35:22.936-08:00What do you think of the ligatures that Aaron has?...What do you think of the ligatures that Aaron has? That's the only thing that doesn't work for me. Seems like a lot of people are using the "shower curtain ring" design (e.g. JodyJazz). They're just not secure enough for me. You get everything set just right, realize you're a little sharp, grab the mouthpiece to pull out a little, and everything shifts. I've been using a Vandoren Optimum with Aaron's pieces and like that combination much better.Scoobyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01740425483299185747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13630144.post-72914582020092756762011-01-28T19:52:34.864-08:002011-01-28T19:52:34.864-08:00Thanks for explaining. :)Thanks for explaining. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17859398818648822828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13630144.post-25714229821568891922011-01-28T09:48:55.055-08:002011-01-28T09:48:55.055-08:00I should qualify that statement, Otto Link's n...I should qualify that statement, Otto Link's new rubber compound sucks ass compared to their old rubber (EB/Slant). It is not even in the same ballpark. It responds differently in every way. The purpose of adding ceramic or brass to the rubber compound is just to make it denser. New Link rubber is not dense enough. All you have to do is flick your fingernail on it and then try doing the same to an old Slant. The new rubber flick will sound higher and thinner compared to the thud of the Slant flick. They respond to vibration differently. The newer rubber piece has more higher overtones in the tone, making them sound edgier. Not all rubber is the same.David Carlos Valdezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02338319345488366328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13630144.post-73531249940326125972011-01-28T09:25:41.259-08:002011-01-28T09:25:41.259-08:00I don't find the rubber they use for the regul...I don't find the rubber they use for the regular Tone Edge tenor pieces that bad. <br /><br />You said the brass dust changes the tone and response of the piece. Could you elaborate, please?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17859398818648822828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13630144.post-639859053439932562011-01-27T22:28:35.286-08:002011-01-27T22:28:35.286-08:00VP,
Read my latest post on hard rubber compound. ...VP, <br />Read my latest post on hard rubber compound. You can't get good hard rubber anymore, so guys like Aaron are trying whatever they can to make up for this by adding different material to make the rubber denser. The stuff that Babbitt is using these days just plain sucks ass, no question. It sounds like thin and bright, so no wonder mouthpiece makers are searching for something better.David Carlos Valdezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02338319345488366328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13630144.post-19644631983026099562011-01-27T20:24:52.636-08:002011-01-27T20:24:52.636-08:00What's up with everybody coming up with their ...What's up with everybody coming up with their own "compound" material. These never sound as good as rubber does.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17859398818648822828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13630144.post-21239266186533017552011-01-26T21:52:36.614-08:002011-01-26T21:52:36.614-08:00Looking forward to the follow-up interview with Aa...Looking forward to the follow-up interview with Aaron. I love his pieces. Have them on alto and tenor and hope to pick up a soprano piece soon.Scoobyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01740425483299185747noreply@blogger.com