I have another Rafael Navarro mouthpiece up for review today. This is a hard rubber Maestra 6* soprano saxophone mouthpiece. I used a Vandoren Java 2 1/2 reed on it with a Vandoren Optimum metal ligature. My soprano sax is a Yamaha YSS-62.
Like all of Rafael’s mouthpieces I have tried so far, this one is a work of art. The table, facing, rails and tip look perfect. Rafael does amazing work!
Rafael Navarro Maestra Soprano Saxophone Mouthpiece
The Maestra soprano saxophone mouthpiece has a nice rollover baffle in it that slopes down into a large chamber. Rafael told me that the design of the soprano Maestra is very similar to the old Otto Link Slant Signature mouthpieces. The chamber is much larger than the chamber of a Selmer Soloist mouthpiece if you compare them side by side although it isn’t as big as my Theo Wanne Gaia soprano mouthpiece.
Rafael Navarro Maestra Soprano Saxophone Mouthpiece
The Maestra was very easy to play! I first tried a Vandoren Java 3 reed which was ok but felt a little stiff for this mouthpiece. The Java 2 1/2 was much easier to play.
Rafael Navarro Maestra Soprano Saxophone Mouthpiece
The Maestra soprano saxophone mouthpiece was even throughout the range of the horn and the intonation was very good. The tone had a sweet sound to it. Very pure and clean sounding. The larger chamber gives it a different tone than many of the soprano mouthpieces out there today with the “pea shooter” chambers in them. I think the larger chamber gives it a slightly bigger more spread sound to the tone.
Rafael Navarro Maestra Soprano Saxophone Mouthpiece
I really enjoyed playing the Rafael Navarro Maestra Hard Rubber Soprano Saxophone Mouthpiece. If you like the sound and look of this mouthpiece contact Rafael Navarro through his website. I believe the Maestra soprano mouthpiece is brand new so it might not be up on the website yet. I’d like to thank Rafael for sending me this Maestra to review. I’ve spoken to Rafael a number of times on the phone and he really knows his stuff when it comes to mouthpieces.
Let me know what you think in the comments below. Thanks, Steve
Rafael Navarro Maestra Soprano Saxophone Mouthpiece
Hey Steve,
This piece sounds great, but your sound is too good to properly judge any of your sound clips.
I’m wondering how this stacked up to your Theo Wanne Gaia in terms of sound, response, consistency, etc?
I just got a Gaia and sent my 7 back for an 8 because I felt like I was overblowing the piece at that tip (I use Rico Jazz Select 3S) and didn’t like the response with a super hard reed.
But, I’m wondering how Rafy’s soprano piece stacks up to the Gaia at least to you. I have a Maestra tenor on its way to me, but I’m wondering if this is worth picking up?
Steve, I love your soprano sound on this mouthpiece.
I could listen to it all day. Projection but no screaming edge.
Wow, great sound, so musical.
I also am curious how you compare this with the Gaia?
Kevin
This model has to be the darkest sop .mpc I’ve tried. Smooth & equal in all registers,like the alto & tenor pcs. Intonation was very good,especially in vintage horns. A 6 is the best opening for these I found,& Autralian Vintage(if you can find them) or Marca Jazz reeds seemed to work well.
great playing!
I like this mouthpiece than others have plastic taste.