I also prefer them to be in the .095 to .110 range for comfort on tenor, it just works well. I have a paint peeling berg though that measures .135 when I need to do something crazy, and have played a tenor mpc in a .170, its simply to much work to play like that! On bari I usually play in the .105 to .120 range, and alto I use larger tips than most anyone I know, in the .090 to .098 range, little strange but thats what works for me As for classical tenor: yes there is, you just dont usually have very much of it, sorry

Thanks to all -- keep those cards and letters coming! I have a couple of related questions, if you can stand 'em: 1. What are the advantages/disadvantages of various facing lengths? A lot of m'piece makers don't give you a choice, but some do. I don't see any easy way to cross-reference between them, but I assume that if they call a particular facing 'medium' it probably is... 2. For any given opening+facing, how much of a difference (in terms of getting used to playing) is there between hard rubber and metal pieces? I have the impression that the metal ones are usually narrower, and a relatively open metal piece needs a stronger embouchure, but I haven't read anything indicating how much stronger... I want to hear as many opinions on all this as possible, but it might help to let you know where I'm heading. I really like my Vandoren Java T45 (.0925'' opening, 'medium' facing) for overall playability and am pretty happy with the tone, but I recognize that there are advantages to something more open. I also have a Jumbo Java T55 (.0985, 'long' facing) that I can usually handle, but it's definitely too bright for my taste. So I'm thinking about a metal V16 (because they have a reputation for consistency and quality, and being relatively dark for metal pieces), but I can't decide between the T45 and T55 (or *maybe* a T75, with a 'medium long' facing and .1043'' opening). I'm also thinking of getting a RicoRoyal Graftonite A7, just to see if I can handle a .105'' opening... Finally, I guess I should say that I'm mostly talking about jazz and rock'n'roll. To play any classical/legit I already have pieces that work well for me. Thanks in advance, Mark P.S.: I was kidding about classical tenor...