The Vandoren V16 T7 Tenor mouthpiece is excellent. The quality of the tip, rails and table is truly excellent. The finish is remarkable too, really well made and finished in 24 Karat gold.
I play this in a concert band, I wanted a mouthpiece that could blend and also "shine through" when required and this mouthpiece does just that. I can also get a great sound from subtle and low to edgy and bright but it never looses the fullness of sound.
Intonation is excellent throughout the range. I have tried this mouthpiece with a variety of reeds and discovered it to be very reed friendly, even with reeds I have been using on other mouthpieces. I generally use 21/2 strength reeds and have tried it with: Rico; Rico Royals; Vandoren V16's; Vandoren ZZ; Vandoren Java Reds; Straight Vandoren; Rico Jazz select; Rigotty Gold's and Zonda and all work really well though my personal preference tends to the ZZ and the Red Javas. I can however choose a read for brighter or mellower and the mouthpiece will respond like wise.
All in all this is a very well made professional mouthpiece that is hand finished, plays extremely well and does not cost the earth that some hand made pieces doo. I would highly recommend this mouthpiece.
