• 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 / Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews / Tenor High Baffle Reviews / Pete Thomas PPT Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece 7* Review

Pete Thomas PPT Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece 7* Review

June 1, 2010 by Steve 20 Comments

This is a great mouthpiece from Pete Thomas over in the UK.  I emailed him a few months ago because I was interested in trying one of his tenor mouthpieces.   He was kind enough to send me this one.  I’m not sure what it is made of  but it looks pretty cool.  It’s looks remind me of some of those white rocks you find on the beach sometimes.

I will say up front that this is a mouthpiece that really surprised me.  As soon as I opened the package and looked at it I thought “I’m really not going to like this mouthpiece”.  It has a pretty high and long baffle in it. Usually when I play a tenor mouthpiece with that high a baffle it is incredibly loud, bright and obnoxious.  Sometimes,  I also find them hard to keep in tune.  I kept this mouthpiece sitting on my desk for about a week and just kept looking at it.  I felt a bit scared to try it……………..

PPT Handmade Mouthpiece

This morning I drank a few cups of Java and thought “OK, it’s time to try it out.”  I was very surprised.  The first thing I noticed was that the tone wasn’t near as bright  as I thought it would be.  It was thick and powerful.  Down low the notes seemed centered and round like I like them.  I actually found it well balanced and quite beautiful sounding.  It sounded great just laying back and playing some bebop lines on it.  If I put some more air through it I could quickly get a funk/rock sound out of it.

The second thing that I noticed, was that I felt totally at ease with this mouthpiece.  Many times,  I have to play a mouthpiece for a few hours or sometimes a few days just to get use to it.  This PPT mouthpiece, I only played for about 15 minutes and I felt very comfortable on it.  The clips I posted below were after 15 minutes of playing and they came out pretty good I thought.

The first one is with my typical recording setup so you can hear how it sounds compared to my other mouthpiece trials.  The second clip was recorded in my garage.  I love playing brighter more powerful tenor mouthpieces in my garage because it gives the sound a natural reverb that I like.  That’s my favorite place to practice.

Thanks to Pete Thomas for letting me try this mouthpiece. It was a real joy to play.  If you want to find out more about them or even order one you can visit  www.petethomas.co.uk

Normal Recording

https://www.neffmusic.com/images/mp3/PPT.mp3

Recorded in Garage with Natural Reverb

https://www.neffmusic.com/images/mp3/PPT%20Garage.mp3

Filed Under: Tenor High Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: high baffle, Pete Thomas, PPT tenor mouthpiece, tenor saxophone

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. AvatarDarren Smith says

    June 1, 2010 at 3:56 pm

    Love the sound you’re getting from this Steve… this might just swing it for me to get one of these… a quick question though.. how reed-friendly is this piece?

    Reply
    • stevesteve says

      June 1, 2010 at 9:23 pm

      Well, I opened a Java 2 1/2 and put it on and it played perfect. I didn’t try another one though. It seemed pretty reed friendly to me.

      Reply
  2. AvatarMike says

    June 1, 2010 at 9:27 pm

    This sounds like a real keeper. I might just have to buy one. All proceeds go to charity as well!

    Reply
    • stevesteve says

      June 1, 2010 at 9:56 pm

      I already emailed Pete and he said I could buy this from him so I’m happy. I don’t really have a go to piece but I’m glad to have this in my options. I’d like to see how it plays after playing it for a few weeks and getting used to it.

      Reply
  3. AvatarMarius says

    June 6, 2010 at 2:41 pm

    Hi Steve
    1. I have few questions . Does it realy change the sound if the sax is unlacquerd?
    2. What Neck do you recommand for Tenor sax? What brand?
    3.What reed do you recommand for Jazz ?
    Thanks for your help Marius

    Reply
    • stevesteve says

      June 7, 2010 at 12:18 pm

      Whether a sax is laquered or not makes no difference to me. The test is how it plays. I will never ever buy a sax without playing it first. I don’t have any feeling about necks. I play the one that came with my SBA and the one that is with my Virtuoso. You can play any reed for jazz there isn’t one that’s better than the others. It has to do with your preference. I like the Vandoren Java reeds personally.

      Reply
  4. AvatarMarius says

    June 8, 2010 at 4:51 am

    What is realy important to look when i buy a used sax.?

    Reply
    • stevesteve says

      June 8, 2010 at 9:27 am

      The only thing I look for is how it sounds and feels when I play it.

      Reply
  5. AvatarMarius says

    June 9, 2010 at 12:35 am

    Thanks o lot Marius

    Reply
  6. AvatarPeter says

    June 24, 2010 at 11:12 am

    Steve,

    It’s been a few weeks now, Do you still feel the same way about the PPT mthpc?

    thanks,
    Pete

    Reply
    • stevesteve says

      June 24, 2010 at 2:21 pm

      Well, I played the other day in a lesson and it seemed to bright for my tastes. That always happens to me. It sounds great in a big room or recorded but in a dry practice room it sounds too bright to me. I guess that’s just life.

      Reply
  7. Avatarrzzzzz says

    August 1, 2010 at 5:47 pm

    Steve,

    I had a real hard time with this mouthpiece. Squealing incessantly. Admittedly, I’m just starting to play, but there was nothing insurmountable about working up from a Meyer G5 to a Ponzol ML. But this thing was a challenge. And then I happened onto an old Rico 2, and everything just fell under control. Weird. Beautiful sound when played gently.

    Reply
    • stevesteve says

      August 1, 2010 at 7:10 pm

      That’s strange. Obviously, I can’t speak for every mouthpiece. If you have a hard time with a piece you should contact the maker and have it checked over and refaced if necessary. Most craftsman will do this if you approach them about it.

      Reply
  8. AvatarAlan says

    November 9, 2010 at 1:15 pm

    I loved mine at first but like you Steve after awhile it just seemed too bright/shrill/loud -in the highs especially. It seems like a piece that needs to be held back on or she’ll get unruly. Since I bought that ESP 7* from you little else gets played -she can do it all and that includes nice full sounding highs.

    Reply
    • stevesteve says

      November 9, 2010 at 1:19 pm

      Yes, it’s funny……with bright pieces I love them in a big hall or room that echoes but then when I play them in a dead room I find them to bright for my tastes.

      Reply
  9. AvatarPeyton says

    August 7, 2011 at 2:20 pm

    Hi Steve
    You sound great as always on this piece! I have been looking into getting a brighter tenor mouthpiece to play Funk/ R&B and my first choice of material would be metal. Does this piece have a similar feel as a metal piece or is it closer to hard rubber?
    Thanks a lot
    Peyton

    Reply
    • stevesteve says

      August 7, 2011 at 3:56 pm

      I would say it feels more like hard rubber to me. The width and feel in the mouth is like hard rubber.

      Reply
  10. AvatarPaul H. says

    January 3, 2012 at 3:41 pm

    Man,

    Love the sound. My only concern is if the tip opening of the 7* is too much for me since I am not really a power one. I am using Otto link 6* now.
    Can some one please advise.

    Thank you

    Reply
    • stevesteve says

      January 6, 2012 at 11:50 am

      I don’t think it would be that big of a difference. Your 6* has a lower baffle than the PPT do I think it will feel closer than you think.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Pete Thomas PPT Metal Tenor Mouthpiece says:
    January 16, 2014 at 11:58 am

    […] mouthpiece by Pete Thomas.  The  PPT metal mouthpieces have similar internal dimensions to the Onyxite PPT that I reviewed a few years ago.  The facings are based on Ed Pillinger’s original facings, […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply 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

Your material is great! I got your New Altissimo Lesson 6 months ago and I have learned more from that than in all my 44 years of playing! I appreciate your down to earth teaching method and I really appreciate the heart that you teach with. I have been a subscriber to your lessons for the past 6 months and I have learned a great deal. Over that period of time I have had some questions and you have never failed to respond. Thanks! I have already recommended your lessons to a number of players in… Read more

Michael Byington

I must say again how much I appreciate all your material. Including the video tutorials. It help keep me focused and knowing what to aim for. And your laid back teaching style appeals to me too. 

Thanks

P

P
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
Hi Steve, I have been shedding your materials for quite a while now and I love them! They are extremely well organized and presented and there are tons of ’em! I really appreciate your methodical approach and find myself referring students to your resources often.  Thanks so much!  
Kenyon Carter
I like so many other subscribers feel so encouraged by Steve’s learning techniques; you will enjoy reading the comments of praise others have left as you too will feel that you share a common view and path. I feel very lucky to have come across Neffmusic and that feeling will remain with you as you search through a treasure trove of learning materials on offer, you will quickly find the lessons that you are suited to. You will instantly recognize the unparalleled quality of Steve’s teaching … Read more
Stephen
Thanks so much for putting all this great learning material out there. I don’t often have the time to take a lesson with a teacher, so the ability to download lessons is really invaluable. My playing has improved enormously (I think :)) – and the lessons are so varied there’s always something to be inspired by. Incredible value too!
Roger
Steve’s monthly lessons are entirely valuable. Without brow beating, he tells you all the stuff you deep down know you really should be working on, instead of just relying on the same old patterns. In spite of the fact that you’re taking a video lesson, Steve’s presentation is comfortable and “real”. In a little more than a year, he’s developed a library of lessons that seem to offer any player a lifetime’s worth of practice material. I’m just glad I stumbled upon it.… Read more
Grant
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
Your lessons on playing the blues is so clear . I have been through many books on blues playing and not one of them explains as clear as your lessons . Most of them say “Play the same blues scale over all three chords of a 12 bar blues ” Its very misleading .     Thanks
Martin
I just joined Neff Music last month. I can’t tell you how excited I’ve been to be able to pick back up on lessons. I’ve been in a rut and you got me out! I’ve especially appreciated the Lesson Path section. It was so clear I knew exactly where to jump in and start. Many many thanks!
Karin
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

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
Hey Steve! I hope you and your family are well.  I’m just writing to say thank you so much for all the resources you have made available to the saxophone community. I have been using your material for many years and I always come back to it… in fact I just took a break from practicing to write this…( reviewing “CreatingModern II-V-I Lines with simple pentatonics”.) I am, and continue to be, one of your raving fans! Blessings to you and your family this holiday season! Wishing… Read more
Gerry Aylward
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 just want to say thank you so much for your unbelievable work, it is just mind opening, thanks for sharing it.

Wolfgang from Berlin

Wolfgang from Berlin
Steve- I joined your site this month and have downloaded 4 lessons and also purchased your new book and video on diatonic patterns. I just want to say I am very pleased with your approach and teaching techniques. I am getting back into playing after laying off for some time. The information you offer on your site is of great value and I am enjoying being a member. Thank you for what you are doing for the saxophone community.
Tony
I’ve been downloading your lessons for 4 months now (20 lesson) and I have noticed tremendous growth in my playing thus far! I’m so happy that I stumbled upon your site!
Bob
I’m an experienced player in the pop/soul/funk areas of music and, previously, classical.  Over the decades I’ve been playing, I’ve always felt that I could do what I needed in those styles of music.  However, recently I began to feel limited by my use of the same old licks. When I discovered Steve Neff’s website, and heard the audio examples based on the exercises in his books, I realized they were what I needed.  I purchased all of them and have been working on them since.  It’s very hard work… Read more
Paul
I want to let you know that your instructional material is transforming my playing.  It is an immense pleasure to learn and play now, and I can’t tell you how grateful I am. The instructional material I got from you is by far the best of any I own (and I have over 100 books, DVDs, and what not). I literally can’t thank you enough! Deric
Deric
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
By the way, BIG COMPLIMENTS to you, Steve! Not only are you a great player, you are also a great teacher! I, too, am a woodwinds player/teacher. I have new inspiration to play and teach because of you. The concepts and “thinking” is similar to what I already learned in College, but hearing you explain and PLAY the concepts REALLY MAKES THE DIFFERENCE! Also, your written patterns are more interesting than other books I have seen! Keep up the good work. I will be recommending your sit… Read more
I will be recommending your site to others!

I want to thank you for your “Ultimate II-V-I Primer”  which has sent me off on a much better path to improvisation.  The primer and the four bound books I have will keep me busy for a long time.  I like your lessons for two reasons.  The lessons work and THEY ARE FUN.  Thanks again.

Robert

Robert

Mr. Neff,  I want to thank you for sharing your God-given talents through your on-line lessons.  My husband, Michael, is blind, but he is a great sax player and he has been enjoying your lessons for quite some time now.  It’s not unusual for me to hear “Hey, babe, listen to THIS!” – and he will cut loose on his sax, just thrilled at what he learned during his session with you.  His excitement warms my heart!  You have no idea how much you have poured into my husband.  You have opened musical … Read more

Carole B

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

  • Steve on Revisiting a Lamberson J7 Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review
  • Thor on Revisiting a Lamberson J7 Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review
  • Perry on Will the Real Michael Brecker’s Sax Mouthpiece Please Stand Up?
  • Steve on Will the Real Michael Brecker’s Sax Mouthpiece Please Stand Up?
  • Perry on Will the Real Michael Brecker’s Sax Mouthpiece Please Stand Up?

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