I thought I’d put up a comparison post of the three Drake vintage resin alto saxophone mouthpieces I received today. I will be doing a separate review for each mouthpiece but I thought that if I played a simple melody on all 3 next to each other you could hear the differences better. On these clips I’m playing the first 16 bars of “Stella By Starlight”. Nothing fancy, just the melody. Hopefully, you will be able to hear the differences in the tone of each mouthpiece. Let me know what you think……………………
From Left to Right: NY Jazz, Jazz,Contemporary
Drake Contemporary Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece
Drake Jazz Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece
Drake NY Jazz Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece
Which one do you like the best? (Poll Results)
- NY Jazz Model (57%, 56 Votes)
- Contemporary Model (19%, 19 Votes)
- Jazz Model (16%, 16 Votes)
- They all sound the same to me……….. (8%, 7 Votes)
Total Voters: 98
About Steve
Hi Steve!
I currently own a Jody Jazz HR mouthpiece, and a Jody Jazz DV NY mouthpiece, both for alto. I’m heading off to college, so I was thinking of selling both and using part of the money to order a Drake mouthpiece. I’m wondering – in your opinion – which mouthpiece would be ideal for me to order. The problem I have with the DV NY is that it’s almost too free blowing, and I struggle to keep an evenness across the registers. The upper notes tend to get too punchy, while the lower notes are too bright and harsh. I like the HR much better, both in feel (I like a little more mouthpiece in my mouth) and resistance. Altissimo notes are easier to produce as well. The only thing I don’t like as much is the overall tonal quality. It’s not bad, per se, but the DV NY has a smoother, rounder sound, at least in the middle register where the sound is easily produced. Sorry, long question.
I think the Drake NY Jazz model is my favorite of all the Drake mouthpieces I have tried. I would strongly suggest trying it first before selling your existing mouthpieces as you don’t want to get rid of them in the hopes of finding a replacement. Find a replacement and then sell them. Good Luck. Let me know how you make out.
I can’t find much about the Drake NY Jazz tip openings on their website. I know you played a 6. Have you tried the 5 & the 7 also? Which tip opening is your favorite?
Erik, I just tried the 6. It was a perfect tip opening for me on alto.
I bought the Jazz but now I wish I bought the NY Jazz.I think it has a richer fuller tone and sound.I hope I can exchange it.I did think the NY required a little more effort to play however
Steve, Thanks for sharing so much knowledge and samples with all of us. I just picked up the Drake Jazz 7 for Alto to add something new to my Meyer 5 and Otto Link HR 6*. The 7 plays very easy for the size; easier than the Link 6*. Your review is spot on. The Drake plays great in all registers and has amazing intonation. I can now think about the music instead of the piece.
Roberto, That is great to hear. I love it when a player like yourself tries a mouthpiece I have reviewed with good results. Have fun with the new mouthpiece! Steve
Hola estoy buscando una Drake NY Jazz alto, sabéis
de alguien que venda?
English Translation:
Hi, I’m looking for a high NY Jazz Drake, you know
of someone who sells?
Hi Steve!
Do these three mouthpieces have ceramic rings?
https://www.drakemouthpieces.com/