• 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 Metal Tenor Mouthpiece

Pete Thomas PPT Metal Tenor Mouthpiece

June 18, 2012 by Steve 7 Comments

This is a new metal tenor saxophone 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, and are machined from solid brass.  They are then hand finished by Morgan Fry.  Morgan Fry is a great mouthpiece refacer over in England.  This tenor saxophone mouthpiece is the brushed gold mouthpiece and looks beautiful.

 

 

Pete Thomas PPT Metal Tenor Mouthpiece

 

The mouthpiece I received to review is a 8* and is absolutely beautiful.  I really like the brushed gold finish of the piece as it gives it a bit of a vintage look.  The design of the mouthpiece is unique in that the body and bore of the mouthpiece all seem to be one flowing design.  There are no lines to separate them so it gives the mouthpiece a very modern look.  The tip and rails are very thin and precise.  It looks to have a normal sized window on it.  The metal PPT has a high baffle on it much like the Onyxite PPT I  reviewed a number of years ago.  The baffle has a high plateau to it that slopes down into a scooped large chamber with scooped sidewalls.

 

 

Pete Thomas PPT Metal Tenor Mouthpiece

 

You can see the high baffle in the picture below.  My first thought was that this mouthpiece was going to be loud and extremely bright.  The PPT Onyxite I had bought for the last review played great (that’s why I bought it) but in the end I felt it was leaning too far to the bright side of things for my personal tastes.  I expected this new metal PPT mouthpiece to be similar to that Onyxite mouthpiece.

 

 

 

 

Pete Thomas PPT Metal Tenor Mouthpiece

The factor I forgot to account for was the tip opening.  Whereas the Onyxite was a 7* tip,  this metal PPT mouthpiece is an 8*.  The tip opening is a major factor for high baffled mouthpieces.  A high baffle speeds up the air being blown through the mouthpiece so that the sound can be louder and many times brighter when you push it.  It seems like a closer tip opening brings the reed closer to that high baffle and the sound is brighter.  When you play the same model mouthpiece in a larger tip opening many times the tone is less bright.  I’m not sure of all the acoustical and design  reasons for this but I have experienced it many times. I was nicely surprised by the metal PPT mouthpiece.  I used a Vandoren Java 2 1/2 reed on it with a Selmer 404 metal ligature.  It was not as bright as the Onyxite 7* I had played but it still had a nice thick sound to it with lots of character.  It is still much brighter than a lower baffled piece like an Otto Link but you can listen to the clip below and judge for yourself.  I did feel the tone had a dry character to it.  I’ve played other mouthpiece with this same characteristic like my Theo Wanne Gaia alto mouthpiece.   When I listen to this clip of the PPT it sounds dry to me.  I’m not saying this is good or bad…….just a word I would use to describe the tone.  Because of the larger tip and high baffle, you can get tons of volume out of this mouthpiece so it would be great to use in a rock or blues band.  It was also very easy to get the altissimo notes and the intonation was great on the mouthpiece.

 

Pete Thomas PPT Metal Tenor Mouthpiece

 

I really enjoyed playing the Pete Thomas PPT Metal Tenor Mouthpiece.  If you like the sound and look of this mouthpiece contact Pete Thomas .  There are some more mouthpiece clips of the PPT metal and Onyxite side by side so you can compare them next to each other.

 

I would also like to add that all of Pete’s profit from the sale of these PPT mouthpieces as well as other endeavors on his website are contributed to charity.  He has given thousands of dollars over the years to APEC, LeukemiaBusters, Red Cross, Band on the Wall and now Gorton Education Village.  It’s great to see another sax player  and teacher giving so much of himself to further music and the saxophone and at the same time giving so much to those who need it.  Great job Pete!

Let me know what you think in the comments below. Thanks, Steve

Pete Thomas PPT Metal Tenor Mouthpiece

https://public.neffmusic.com/PPTMetal.mp3

Filed Under: Tenor High Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Ed Pillinger, morgan fry, Pete Thomas, PPT, sax 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. AvatarMark Rybiski says

    July 1, 2012 at 2:50 pm

    Steve, I really like your tone with this mouthpiece. Did you use any reverb or effects? Just wondering I think the piece has a great versatile fat tone…of course much is due to your ability as a player too!

    Reply
    • stevesteve says

      July 1, 2012 at 3:21 pm

      Thanks Mark. No effects. I record all the review clips totally dry.

      Reply
  2. AvatarJohn Turner says

    July 4, 2012 at 5:26 pm

    Steve
    Have you compared this PPT metal mouthpiece to the equivalent PPT standard (non metal) ? I have a PPT plastic that I really like but it’s rather large in its outer dimensions. I am wondering if the equivalent metal PPT plays and sounds the same as the non-metal. I assume that the inner chambers are equivalent. Do you have any comments or experience on that?

    Reply
  3. AvatarCliff Tetle says

    July 21, 2012 at 11:44 pm

    Nice playing Steve

    Reply
  4. AvatarWalter says

    June 9, 2013 at 4:22 am

    Hi Steve,

    thankYou for another great review! With Morgan Fry involved in the finishing and plating, there are similarities concerning baffle/chamber-concept. How would You compare the PPT to Morgan Fry’s Rhodium plated large chamber Tenor piece?

    Reply
    • stevesteve says

      June 17, 2013 at 11:06 am

      Walter, the Rhodium MF piece had a rounder, darker, sweeter sound than the PPT. Not as much power. The PPT was definitely brighter and more powerful. It wasn’t Guardala bright but had a more of a thicker tone to it than a Guardala………hope this helps. Steve

      Reply
  5. AvatarVince Salerno says

    May 1, 2019 at 9:34 am

    I was fortunate to get a mint condition 9* metal mouthpiece about 5 years ago for less than half of its retail price. I’ve been using as my main mouthpiece since I got it but it’s had to face some strong competition from 3 different Ponzols, 3 Bergs and a metal .120 Boss mpc.
    I just recorded a CD using this mpc on one of my Super 20s. It’s on the bright side of the spectrum but if I think fat, low and breathy I can achieve that. I like the Boss a lot too but the altissimo is blood curdling intense on the PPT and good but not great on my Boss. The PPT is very worthy of consideration for anyone considering this type of mouthpiece. It’s not very well known and I think more people would be using these if it wasn’t a mouthpiece that you buy off a website in Great Britain.

    Reply

Leave a Reply to John Turner 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

I just started looking at my lessons and I have to say, dude you are awesome.  I ABSOLUTELY will learn from you!  I started the tenor about 1 ½ yrs ago and have since picked up an alto, and more recently a soprano.  I spend most of the time on the tenor, followed by soprano, and have only gotten to the alto a few times.  I think I’ll be sticking with tenor.  I’m having a great time and hope one day to play well enough to get regular gigs.  I’ve been playing keys for about 35 years (… Read more
Wil

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
Hey Steve, My name is Jason Freese and I play keyboards and sax in the band Green Day.  I grew up taking sax lessons from Eric Marienthal when I was a kid and got out of it for a long time. I ran into you on youtube while searching for sax stuff. I bought a whole bunch of your lessons and have been loving it! Thanks! Here is my wikipedia so you can see the albums I’ve played on….Thanks again. It’s sparked my interest in practicing again.   Jason
Jason Freese (sax player for Green Day)
It is so refreshing to have a great player, who can provide lessons and examples in a manner which is understandable to most any enthusiastic saxophonist who is ready to improve. not just the, do this, do that, memorize this, memorize that… while all that is absolutely necessary, you go on to give reasons and examples to explain and validate why you have to do all of these things, the benefits, if you will… that is the key for me, you tell, explain, demonstrate, explain some more, you give perso… Read more
Cedric
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
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
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
Just to say thanks for your advice and lessons.  I’ve just read your amazing story.  I really appreciate what you do in regards to teaching.  I have bought a couple of your lessons and frankly they’re undersold.   I’ve learned much more with these two lessons than with 2 years of sax teachers.   Thanks so much………..
Mike

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 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

Steve,  Just want to say thanks for all you are doing for all of us. I’ve learned more from you than anyone else in my 40 years of playing.

If you can give some tips on One Note Samba, Ceora, and Wave… that would be cool.  I really like learning how you apply your concepts to actual songs!

Have a great year,

Kevin Ledbetter

I've learned more from you than anyone else in my 40 years of playing.
I’ve been a member of Steve’s site for about six months now and the difference it has made to my playing is immeasurable. The (many) benefits of this membership are that you can have lessons at time convenient to you, they work out A LOT cheaper than face-to-face lessons with a teacher of the same calibre and you can replay them ad infinitum. I don’t know how many times have I had lessons in the past where I’ve ended up covering the same concepts when really a ‘replay’ of the last lesson would h… Read more
Nick
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
I am a music book junkie and I have to say that your books are the most clear, user friendly, and helpful books I own.  They are my absolute favorites and I only wish I had them years ago.  I wouldn’t change a thing about the experience I had in acquiring my degree at Berklee, but my playing has perhaps grown more in the time I’ve spent buried in your books and lessons.  Keep up the great work!!! Thanks, John
John

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
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
Just a brief note to compliment you on your teaching skills and in particular for the honesty of your lessons.  I am a returning alto sax player in my 50’s and I was looking for a no nonsense, straight to the point kind of guidance. I had intended to email you with a few questions regarding the use of the bis key but then I noticed that there was a lesson on that specific topic and after viewing it,  all my questions were answered. I once took a group lesson with a well known professional sax … Read more
Patrick
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
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
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 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
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

Hello Steve, I’m getting so much out of your lessons and books, amazing how much one may think one knows, there is always a new frontier or new way to view something you think you had somewhat down. You have taken it all to a new level and am so grateful. Your lessons are so down to earth and understandable and clear!  Thanks so much Steve! Cheers, Eddie

Eddie Parente

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

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

  • 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?
  • 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

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