• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Website of Steve Neff

  • BLOG
  • SHOP
  • MY ACCOUNT
  • RAVES
  • CONTACT

Search Neffmusic

You are here: Home / Reviews / Mouthpiece Reviews / Alto Mouthpiece Reviews / Alto Low Baffle Reviews / Vandoren V16 A5M Alto Mouthpiece

Vandoren V16 A5M Alto Mouthpiece

August 13, 2009 by Steve 18 Comments

This is a Vandoren V16 A5M that I bought from Dave Valdez in Portland. Dave had Brian Powell reface the mouthpiece to a .080 and put a very long facing curve on it (23mm) that matched a Slant Link that has been Dave’s main piece forever.  The reason I bought this piece was because I heard a bootleg recording of Dave playing in some club and he had a killer alto sound and style.  Dave and I went to Berklee together back in the ’80’s. I like this piece a lot!!

It’s a little bright but has a nice fat sound to it. The longer facing curve makes the sound fatter and bigger.  I also believes it adds to how expressive you can be with the  mouthpiece since any slight variation in your embouchure will move the reed much more than on a shorter facing curve. Brian Powell told me that a 23mm facing curve for alto is really long and not a typical curve that players like. I like it though. It’s plays very different than other alto mouthpieces I have played. Check it out!

https://www.neffmusic.com/images/mp3/Valdez%20V16.mp3

Filed Under: Alto Low Baffle Reviews, Alto Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: alto mouthiece, dave valdez, vandoren V16

Steve

About Steve

Steve Neff has been playing and teaching saxophone and jazz improvisation around the New England area for over 30 years. He is the author of many best selling jazz improvisation methods as well as founding the popular jazz video lesson site Neffmusic.com.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarMike says

    April 15, 2010 at 11:34 pm

    Stupid question, but which mouthpiece patches are you using? Never seen some so thin….hunting for the mouthpiece patch that’ll feel like real mpc..

    Reply
  2. AvatarJack Li says

    April 25, 2010 at 7:57 pm

    Try FAM mouthpiece patches look them up on ebay

    Reply
  3. AvatarDaryl Keith says

    August 28, 2011 at 3:46 pm

    To me this sounds kinda close to the Theo Wanne Kali HR and the Ishimoro Super custom. Slightly brighter but very warm. I bet this would be alot cheaper than either of those so its got my interest. Do you know how much the refacing would cost? Thanks. I currently have a JJ Classic 6 and i like it but want something a little more warm and singing.

    Reply
  4. AvatarJason says

    August 4, 2014 at 8:45 pm

    I really love the sound of this mouthpiece. It is much less brighter than other ones ive heard in your articles. It has a classy dark jazz tone. If I buy a V16 A5M would it have the sound this one has?

    Reply
    • SteveSteve says

      August 15, 2014 at 11:20 am

      Jason, It very well could although there are other factors at play also. Different players have different embouchures, playing techniques, air support, oral cavities, etc……… That being said, with a mass produced mouthpiece like the V16, I try to order three of the mouthpiece I am interested in and will pick the best of the 3. If there are no differences and they are all great, that is awesome. Many times there are differences and I like to have a choice. Good Luck. Let us know if you try one and how you like it. Steve

      Reply
  5. AvatarJason says

    October 2, 2014 at 4:33 pm

    Steve one more question. Ive heard good things about the Bari Hybrid mouthpiece. I really want a darker classic sound like i mentioned before. Which do you think is the better sounding mouthpiece? P.S ive seen your review for both but im wondering which you liked better.

    Reply
    • SteveSteve says

      October 5, 2014 at 3:14 pm

      Jason,
      I really like this Vandoren V16 A5M but you have to remember that this has been altered big time by Brian Powell. I know the facing is completely different and much longer. The Bari mouthpiece was a very good mouthpiece also but I personally prefer this V16 that BP refaced. If you’re asking me to compare the Bari to a regular V16 that is a harder call. I would say they are both about equal for me………..Steve

      Reply
  6. AvatarRodrigo says

    November 14, 2014 at 12:57 am

    ive never heard of a slant link? ive heard of a otto link sig are they the same mouthpiece or am i wrong??

    Reply
  7. AvatarGil says

    December 11, 2017 at 7:24 am

    Hi, Steve Thank for your great review
    I’m using lebayle hard rubber alto now but I wanted new sound.
    So I’m looking for V16 mouthpiece small chamber but which opening size will more fit with me.
    Mine opeining size is 196mm and v16 a5 is 188mm and a6 is 196mm. I’ve never used small chamber mouthpiece so I wonder if a6 size will give excessive resistence to me.

    Reply
    • SteveSteve says

      December 13, 2017 at 12:42 pm

      Gil, I would just go with the same tip opening you are used too. If the smaller chamber gives resistance it would do so for you on a 5 or 6 tip opening in my mind since the chambers would be the same. Steve

      Reply
  8. AvatarPedro says

    December 21, 2017 at 9:26 pm

    Hi Steve,
    Greetings from Brazil

    Another excellent analysis, congratulations.
    I’m lost about which mouthpiece to use in the alto sax. I have played with a Jody Jazz HR 7M, I use François Louis ligature and vandoren v16 n2 reed. He liked this sound but the high sound one was very buzzy, very strident, although the bass were great. So I bought this V16 from its review, vandoren V16 A7M, I thought it has a dark, lifeless sound. I would like a fat round sound, very smoth, but with life and a slight brightness, in the line of these meyer mouthpieces, mouthpieces of medium chambers, but with great projection for solos (flexibility). Within that I’m looking for what you suggest I should try for mouthpieces?
    a Meyer? Otto Link Tone EDGE? the new d adario selec jazz? Some of these or other alternatives, what do you suggest?

    Or should I try to lower the numbering of the mouthpiece a bit to try to force heavier reed type v-2.5 (which is currently heavy for me)?

    Thank you again, your website is incredible.

    Reply
    • SteveSteve says

      December 27, 2017 at 8:27 am

      Pedro, If you tried the V16 A7M and found it too dark and lifeless I would suggest trying the A7S+. It has a chamber that is between the medium and small so it would give you more of the slight brightness you are looking for that the A7M doesn’t have for you. You could also try a Vandoren Java 2 1/2 reed. I find the V16s you are using run a bit harder and stiffer than the Javas. You might find the Javas to be brighter for you. I do…… Steve

      Reply
  9. AvatarPedro says

    December 27, 2017 at 8:45 am

    Steve, thank you very much.
    I’ll try S +
    hugs

    Reply
  10. AvatarBill Vazouras says

    October 30, 2018 at 11:06 pm

    https://soundcloud.com/suigenerisradioshow/vandoren-v16-a5-alto-sax-mouthepiece-test
    Dear Mr Steve Neff,
    The last three weeks I have switched from Selmer S80 mouthpiece to this Vandoren V16 (A5) on my alto sax. All these years I had classical tuition on saxophone, and now I’m getting to a new embouchure. Still I have not found “my embouchure” on the new concept of blowing through the horn.
    From D’Addario Reserve (strength 3) I have to go a bit down to the new more “free-blowing” embouchure.
    I have tried lots of brands of reeds, and I think that I should switch to La Voz reeds (medium or medium hard),
    or D’Addarrio Jazz Select (3 soft).
    Still I have not found my reed for this combination of mouthpiece, lig and reed.
    I use Francois Louis gold plated ligature.

    Above I have posted my mouthpiece review, and I was wondering about my tone.
    Should I use softer reeds? I am used to more resistant filed reeds, due to my classical “past”.

    Thank you so much for all your beautiful playing and all useful insights on sax music!

    Billy Vazouras

    Reply
    • SteveSteve says

      October 30, 2018 at 11:56 pm

      Bill, On the recording the reed does sound a bit hard. Also, it doesn’t seem like you are blowing very hard. I always try to get my students to blow at 80% capacity when practicing. I would be curious what you feel you are playing at on that clip? 100% is of course blasting all the air you have as loud as you can. I also notice some of the notes have a nasal quality to them which can happen when your reed is too hard. It can also happen with some people when the angle of the sax neck and mouthpiece is too high. I have no idea if this is the case but I have had students from a classic background that had this issue and they played with the sax really high. You can experiment with loosening the neck strap a bit and see if that changes anything if that is the case. I would try a softer reed and maybe experiment with rolling your bottom lip out a little bit to free up the reed to vibrate more. I have a lesson on my site on the subject called “A Mature Embouchure” if you want to check it out. I’m kinda shooting in the dark and guessing as someone who doesn’t know you but I hope something in here helps, Steve

      Reply
  11. AvatarBill Vazouras says

    October 31, 2018 at 10:00 pm

    Dear Mr Steve Neff,
    When I was playing this line, I was afraid of squeaking or bringing up some accidental altissimo-overtone effect specifically on high C#. That was what mainly what occurred on my playing due to the bigger chamber of the mp I guess. My body position is loose enough and I do get a good grip of my sax I think. What I’ve cleared through the lesson, is that there is no embouchure refulation. My embouchure and bottom lip are loose enough I think (sometimes a get a bit flat and I don’t get the pitch, but I’ll work on my tone production more). As a last query, what you would suggest me, in order to improve my tone on middle G and above till high F#. Long tones, overtones, and tongue exercises? Any reed brands that you prefer with this mouthpiece. I have used to play D’Addarrio reeds so far (filed) and also I’ve tried some La Voz.

    Thanks for your insights Sir!

    Sincerely

    Billy Vazouras

    Reply
    • SteveSteve says

      November 4, 2018 at 3:39 pm

      Hi Billy, It’s hard for me to give advice on improving your tone from G and above because I don’t know what issues you are experiencing. Usually, I will hear a student and then have ideas on what they should try to improve. As far as the embouchure, I teach that students should have a similar tightness as if they were to hold a pen in their mouth using your embouchure so that the pen is horizontal to the floor. That is the level of tightness that I use usually. Hope this helps, Steve

      Reply
  12. AvatarJeff Newton says

    August 13, 2019 at 7:15 pm

    I’m auditioning the current Vandoren V16 alto #6 and #7 tip, SMALL chamber, for my 1924 Conn New Wonder “1.5” (Chu w/o the nail file; one of the last made before the model change over 6 weeks later). These horns are supposed to be matched ONLY with LARGE chamber mouthpieces, but the small plays better than the medium (V16). Vandoren bills these pieces as having a “medium long” facing (they don’t give a measurement). I mainly play my late Mark VI tenor, but recently bought the Conn alto because I’m intrigued by its tonal characteristics (I also have an early Mark VI alto). So, I’m wondering if the facing length somehow compensates for the smaller chamber. I have TMJ (right side only) and some mouthpieces hurt (Bergs are horrible; Morgan alto NY as well but not as bad as the Berg). I don’t know what facing length the Morgan has (Excalibur; the low beak may be the problem). I’m wondering if you’ve heard from any players with TMJ and whether shorter / longer facings affect their TMJ issues? And also whether facing length compensates for a smaller chamber? I use Francois Louis 350 Spectroso with a “2 soft” Rico Select Jazz on my tenor and everybody from Coltrane to Sanborn to Chick has recently complimented my playing and tone, so I must be doing something right….

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Rodrigo Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Cart

Subscribe to the Neffmusic Newsletter for the latest reviews and best deals delivered straight to your inbox every month. Join now and you will also receive my 40 Ultimate Michael Brecker Licks free!

Select list(s) to subscribe to


Thanks for joining!


NEFFMUSIC PRINTED BOOKS

Testimonials

Thank you for all the educational information you provide.  I am a classically trained musician.  Professionally, I am a 4th and 5th grade band teacher.  I have played piano and sax for many years, but now I am starting to gig out more. I have always improvised by ear in the past. I have gotten by with my strong sense of pitch, rhythm and melodic contour. However, I want to go deeper. I want to play with a greater variety of melodic and rhythmic ideas to pull from.  I have studied to gain a … Read more
Ray

Hi Steve,

First, I want to thank you for all of your great lessons. They are like a “For Dummies” version of all the books on my shelf. The lessons break things down into manageable pieces, and give me the confidence that I’m practicing the right pieces. I’m starting to make progress.   Thank You,   Kim

Kim
Hey Steve, I’m a 22-year-old from Australia. I thought it would be worth saying. You’re an absolute legend. I can’t thank you enough. You have helped me rekindle my love for the saxophone and music as a whole. All the best for the future, your work doesn’t go unnoticed. PS. I am loving your devastating minor lines pdf.
Sapph
I can see from your instructional videos that you are a fantastic teacher – one that can truly relate to all ages – humble yet very positive in approach – never coming across as superior and yet so totally capable of demonstrating the principles and techniques that you seek to impart to the students. I have gained so much confidence in my playing from “pouring over” time and again these invaluable lessons. Invaluable not only in musical content, but also in human interaction content. I am absolu… Read more
Ron
Hi Steve, I live in a gorgeous but rural area of Oregon-no music store within 80 miles. Your lessons are my lifeline!  Truly the best there are anywhere online. Love your playing. Love your teaching.  Thanks again. Ed
Ed Woodmansee
Hi Steve, I can’t express just how much I appreciate your teaching. My playing has improved so much over the past year since I have been studying and practicing with your lessons. It is possible to teach an old dog new tricks, these lessons are proof! Thanks, Michael Byington
Michael Byington
First, I’m really excited about your materials! This site is a vast resource for any aspiring (and maybe already inspired) jazz musicians. I’m not a sax player, I play mandolin and fiddle, but have been learning jazz and playing weekly with a quintet for the past 6 months and have been struggling with all of the issues you get into in your lessons. I bought several books and lessons and plan to continue with some others as soon as I organize my practice routine. Thanks again for a great site … Read more
Tony Galfano
I have been a member of Neffmusic for more than a year now and have enjoyed every minute of it! I have not only been going thru the Dominant Bebop Scale lessons and book (OUTSTANDING!) but the mouthpiece reviews, solo clips and transcriptions are very interesting. Steve approach to beginning and intermediate improv have given me many new pathways to teach my high school jazz ensemble students. Congratulations Steve, great product!
Craig
I want to say something about Steve Neff’s series of lessons, Beginner Jazz Improvisation. For a couple of years I tried many beginner lessons and my problem was that there was a gap between lessons that were fairly simple and ones that I was not quite ready for and my progress stalled out. That problem was solved with the series Beginner Jazz Improvisation. He guides you step by step along the way and builds a foundation for learning jazz and blues. He leaves no question about what to practice … Read more
Pete
Two years later I began a search for a sax teacher and happened to come across Steve Neff when I was searching YouTube for sax teachers.  I went to neffmusic.com and was very impressed with the lessons Steve Neff was offering.  The concept of selecting lessons was an approach that I thought was unique and purchased a few lessons.  I liked the lessons so much that I signed-up for a 6 month package. I was very happy with all the lessons I selected.  I also purchased Steve’s book Mastering the B… Read more
Michael

Hello Steve,

I have not received my alto yet but have already gone through 14 lessons. I love your approach, style, knowledge and competence. I now regret so much to have stayed away from playing the sax for the past 45-50 years…(I am 65).  But It is never too late to get back to your first love. After 23 years in compuer sciences and 22 years in finances…I am now back to music for the rest of my life.

Doing some research on the net, I found this:

http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?1… Read more

Claude
I have found your videos and publications inspiring and your contribution to the world of saxophone playing is immense. Paul
Paul

Thank You Steve. I think that I will be busy for years. Thank You for your great contribution to jazz music. Your books, more than teaching “how to play jazz”, actually teach “how to speak jazz”. I wish I found your methods years ago.  

Jean-Eric
Thank you for the wealth of helpful lessons you’ve provided over the years.  I truly feel as though it has improved my playing more than the 4 years I spent at Berklee… and that’s not a slight on the school as I loved my experience there.
John
John

Never really had lessons before just kinda worked things out on my own. Was in a rut but your lessons are really helpful in opening melodic possibilities. Ur an awesome resource to the saxophone community. Thanks for sharing. 

Anthony

Love your lessons!  I have been using your lesson packages for many months now, and am learning a lot.  It is so perfect for me with a very busy adult schedule and difficulty in taking jazz/improv music lessons from reputable instructors who live and hour or more away from me.

Lenore
Absolutely the best learning experience in my 40 years of playing.These books are awesome!!
Alfred LaBella
I can’t say enough about my membership at Neff Music. Steve has taken the mystery out of playing the saxophone well and improvising both jazz and rock music. Like most struggling players I have a load of all sorts of books on my shelf just gathering dust. Books that I didn’t understand or know how to put to use…or just have the time to go threw them. Steve’s lessons really simplify things and he puts it in a way that I can understand. They inspire me to keep pushing and having him as my guide or… Read more
Ken
Your major diatonic patterns book is great. I”m studying the first twenty patterns (first twenty pages) each day with different articulation each day and slowly increasing the tempo each week or so.  There is a noticeable improvement in finger coordination across all keys and its amazing how much more secure I feel on the difficult keys when attempting to play pieces with 5+ flats/sharps. I’m able to sort out the fingerings for these pieces now much more quickly than before, often in one or two … Read more
Geoff
I’ve been having ‘ online’  lessons with Steve for a few months now. Being a teacher myself I had had some reservations with the idea at first and the practicalities of it .  Let me just say that my playing has taken a huge leaps forward while studying with Steve and continues to do so.Steve studied with some renowned player/teachers such as Bergonzi and Garzone– this in itself is invaluable but Steve teaches from his own books, which cover a a vast amount of  jazz language. Steve h… Read more
David
I just wanted to write a thank you note to you for this website. I play and teach saxophone, but I have always been intimidated by the gear aspect. Your website has helped me become a lot more knowledgable. Your knowledge is staggering! I’m telling all my students about your website. Pierre
Pierre
I am enjoying your style of teaching, and you’ve done a great job with the videos….good sound quality and well constructed lessons.  Balances the more guitaristic material found on the majority of guitar based programs.  Jazz vocab is what I’m all about at this point in the journey.   I especially dig the fact that you’ve studied with Bergonzi…helps me see his voluminous output in a more  bite sized way.
Milton
I would like to say that in the last year my sax playing has progressed loads from your lessons. I have had a sax for about 20 years and dabbled with lessons from a few teachers and have learnt very little from them. As you have said in your lessons many teachers tell you to use the blues scale and leave it there, not even showing you the resolution points!!. I am now believing I can in time become a good improviser.
Thanks again,
Shane
Shane

I want to thank you again, because, not only are you an inspiration to listen to, you are a fine teacher!

I have been teaching sax and other winds for over 20 years, and you give me that “push” to give my students more!

Mark Peotter

Mark Peotter

Featured Video Lessons

  • Mastering the Dominant Pentatonic Sound over a Blues (Digital PDF Book) Mastering the Dominant Pentatonic Sound over a Blues (Digital PDF Book)
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $19.99 Original price was: $19.99.$14.99Current price is: $14.99.
  • The Secret to Modern Outside Jazz Lines Lesson-Minor The Secret to Modern Outside Jazz Lines Lesson-Minor $9.99
  • Creating Modern II-V-I Lines with Simple Pentatonics Lesson Creating Modern II-V-I Lines with Simple Pentatonics Lesson
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99
  • The Best Embouchure for Tone, Intonation and Endurance Lesson The Best Embouchure for Tone, Intonation and Endurance Lesson
    Rated 4.91 out of 5
    $9.99
  • The Secret to Altissimo (no one has ever told you about before) Lesson The Secret to Altissimo (no one has ever told you about before) Lesson
    Rated 4.75 out of 5
    $9.99

Now over 600 video and audio lessons to choose from!

Free Lessons

  • Free Lesson on The New Ultimate II-V-I Primer-Major Keys
  • Free Video Lesson on Mastering Altered Pentatonics
  • Free Video Lesson on Mastering the Blues Scale Volume 1 & 2
  • Free Video Lesson on Mastering the Dominant Bebop Scale and Language Book 1 & 2
  • Free Video Lesson on Approach Note Velocity Book

Recent reviews

  • Bebop Scale-Altered Scale II-V-I Practice Lesson Bebop Scale-Altered Scale II-V-I Practice Lesson by Noah
  • Mastering the Dominant Pentatonic Sound over a Blues (Digital PDF Book) Mastering the Dominant Pentatonic Sound over a Blues (Digital PDF Book) by Andy
  • Mastering the Dominant Pentatonic Sound over a Blues (Digital PDF Book) Mastering the Dominant Pentatonic Sound over a Blues (Digital PDF Book)
    Rated 5 out of 5
    by Russ
  • Creating Modern II-V-I Lines with Simple Pentatonics Lesson Creating Modern II-V-I Lines with Simple Pentatonics Lesson
    Rated 5 out of 5
    by Timothy
  • The Best Embouchure for Tone, Intonation and Endurance Lesson The Best Embouchure for Tone, Intonation and Endurance Lesson
    Rated 5 out of 5
    by Ray Holland

Footer

Recent Comments

  • Dominique on Otto Link Super Tone Master Florida V Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review
  • Felipe on Drake Jerry Bergonzi Master Series Power Resonance 7* Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review
  • Steve on Ted Klum Focustone Standard Model Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece
  • Jeremy on Ted Klum Focustone Standard Model Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece
  • Steve on Les Becs d’Autan Florida Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

Top rated products

  • Mastering the Major Bebop Scale & Sound (Digital PDF Book) Mastering the Major Bebop Scale & Sound (Digital PDF Book)
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $14.99
  • Tune of the Week-Softly as a Morning Sunrise Lesson Tune of the Week-Softly as a Morning Sunrise Lesson
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99
  • The Style of Dexter Gordon-Lady Bird Lesson 1 The Style of Dexter Gordon-Lady Bird Lesson 1
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99
  • Tune of the Week-Days of Wine and Roses Lesson Tune of the Week-Days of Wine and Roses Lesson
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99
  • Tune of the Week-Invitation Tune of the Week-Invitation
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99

Product tags

alto sax alto saxophone approach notes audio lesson bebop scale beginner beginner saxophone blues blues licks blues patterns blues scale blues scales diminished scale dominant chords ear training fundamentals II-V-I improvisation jazz improvisation jazz lines jazz patterns jazz sax jazz saxophone jazz standard jazz standards licks Mastering the Blues Scale Michael Brecker modern improv modern improvisation online lesson patterns playing outside practice habits reading music sax basics sax lessons saxophone scales smooth jazz steve neff tenor sax tenor saxophone video lesson video lessons
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • SUPPORT

Neffmusic © 2005–2025