• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Website of Steve Neff

  • BLOG
  • SHOP
  • MEMBER’S AREA
    • JOIN
    • FAQ
    • MEMBER LOGIN
    • Member Monthly Lessons
    • Member VIP Area
    • Member-Practicing with Neff
    • Member-Brecker Alternate Fingering Lessons
    • Member-Killin’ Altissimo Lick Lessons
    • Member-Monster Lick of the Day
  • RAVES
  • CONTACT
You are here: Home / Reviews / Mouthpiece Reviews / Alto Mouthpiece Reviews / Alto Medium Baffle Reviews / Phil-Tone Rift Alto Mouthpiece Review

Phil-Tone Rift Alto Mouthpiece Review

September 8, 2014 by Steve 20 Comments

Today, I am reviewing another great mouthpiece by Phil Engleman at Phil-Tone mouthpieces.    Phil Engleman is the founder of Phil-Tone mouthpieces and I have reviewed a number of his excellent mouthpieces in the past.  The Equinox,the Eclipse, the Solstice, the Tribute, the Sapphire, etc…………… Phil came out with this new alto sax mouthpiece a number of months ago and asked me if I would be willing to review it.   I was more than happy to and Phil sent me one to try.

Phil-Tone Rift Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece

I was intrigued by the Rift as I opened the package and examined it as it looked to have a different and unique baffle design.  I have reviewed hundreds of mouthpieces over the years and seen many different baffle designs but the Rift looked to be unique.  It has a high rollover baffle that rolls down and then back up slightly and then down again into the medium chamber.  The shape reminds me of those slides at the water park that we all love.  I was curious what effect this type of baffle might have on the sound……….

Phil-Tone Rift Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece

The Rift I received had an .081 tip opening.   I picked a random Rigotti Gold 2 1/2 strong reed I had laying around, wet it, put it on the mouthpiece and tried it with an Vandoren Optimum metal ligature.   The mouthpiece just smoked for me with that very first reed.  It had that combination of bright power and edge with a very fat tone.   I always think of Cannonball when I get into a description of tone like this.  When you listen to his recordings,  he had an incredible balance of brightness and edge with a big fat full sound.   This is how I felt about the Rift!

The other element of sound that I really loved about the Rift is the smoothness and evenness of the notes. Fast runs and lines are as smooth as butter on the Rift.  A lot is said about how effectively a player can communicate with a mouthpiece,  how well he can reproduce what he imagines as he plays his horn.  For me, the Rift has that quality and connection.  I really felt that as I played it that I could play almost anything I imagined as I was improvising. That’s an amazing feeling to have.

Phil-Tone Rift Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece

I liked the Rift so much,  after that first week of playing it I emailed Phil and asked to purchase one for myself.  This was a mouthpiece I had to have in my alto case.  Unfortunately, right after I got the Rift, I started having some medical issues with pinched nerves in my upper back and for the past 5 months playing the sax has been very difficult and painful.   Today has been the first day in 5 months that I felt like I could actually play and enjoy it.

Phil-Tone Rift Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece

I can gets loads of power out of the Rift and the intonation is excellent.  On many alto mouthpieces my Selmer Reference Alto can be a bit sharp on the midrange notes (Middle D,Eb,E,F and F#)  The Rift was much easier to play these notes in tune.  The tone to me is very lively and strong.  The palm keys have a nice round fatness to them that balances the brightness so it doesn’t sound thin.

In comparison to other mouthpieces, I would say the Rift has more power by far than the standard off the shelf Meyer mouthpieces I have played.  I would also say it has a fatter and brighter sound than a typical Meyer mouthpiece.  If you are playing a Meyer and think you need more power and volume then the Rift might be a good mouthpiece to try.

The Phil-Tone  Rift was a complete joy to play and I’m glad I now have it in my collection of favorite mouthpieces. If you like the sound of the clip below and the mouthpiece catches your interest then give it a try. You can contact Phil on his website at www.phil-tone.com. Tell him Steve sent you………….Great work Phil!!

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

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

Phil-Tone Rift Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece

Filed Under: Alto Medium Baffle Reviews, Alto Mouthpiece Reviews, Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: alto mouthpiece, hard rubber, jazz sax, Phil Engleman, Phil-tone, Rift, 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. AvatarFlorian says

    September 13, 2014 at 8:37 am

    Sounds great. How did the Rift compare to something like a java jumbo or somthing similar in regard of brightness?

    Reply
    • SteveSteve says

      September 14, 2014 at 1:49 pm

      Hi Florian,
      It’s been ages since I played a Jumbo Java so I can’t speak to the comparison with much authority. The Jumbo Java I tried last was brighter and harsher to my memory. Not as fat sounding as the Rift. I think the Rift’s unique baffle design might smooth it out and fatten the tone a bit if I had to guess……….

      Reply
  2. Avatarwalt says

    September 21, 2014 at 11:09 am

    Hi Steve,
    could You give a short comment how the Rift would compare to Morgan Fry’s HR alto piece You reviewed some month ago?

    Reply
    • SteveSteve says

      September 22, 2014 at 9:38 am

      Walt,
      I would consider both of these top notch alto mouthpieces. I think they were similar in brightness with the Rift being fatter sounding to me. Although I was very comfortable on the Morgan Fry Ebonite the Rift had something that was extra special for me. It was almost like I was “one” with the Rift mouthpiece. It’s hard to put into words. Every once in a while I play a mouthpiece that is like that if you know what I mean. Most mouthpieces are just me playing the mouthpiece and the sax and playing as good as I can. Once in a while I play a piece where it is no longer me playing the “mouthpiece” or the “sax” but I am just playing……..Ideas and lines are just flowing and things are happening instantaneously. It’s a special feeling for me. That being said, I think it is a very individual thing. I could have 10 students come in and try my favorite mouthpieces and they might not connect the way I do with them. As I think about it, I think it has to do with the fatness factor for me on alto. The alto mouthpieces that I have connected the most with have had that fatness. Vandoren V16 with a super long Brian Powell facing on it, Drake Jazz NY and the Rift are the 3 that come to mind. They all had a fatter more spread sound but with power and highs in the tone. The Morgan Fry Ebonite had a big full sound but wasn’t quite as fat sounding in my mind. Hope that makes sense.

      Reply
  3. Avatarwalt says

    September 22, 2014 at 12:57 pm

    Yes I understand completely, thank You for such an comprehensive answer!

    Reply
  4. AvatarFlorian Heidtmann says

    September 25, 2014 at 10:37 am

    How would you compare the brightness of the rift to other mpcs. Is it similar to a small chambered Meyer?

    Reply
    • SteveSteve says

      September 30, 2014 at 7:15 pm

      Florian,
      For me, the Rift had a brighter bigger sound than the small chambered Meyer’s I have played. I think of a Meyer sound as somewhat “dry” sounding. The Rift is a big and fat sounding to me but still on the brighter side of life……..

      Reply
  5. AvatarSean says

    October 10, 2014 at 8:34 am

    Hey Steve, I’m in dilemma about choosing either the Rift or Drake NY Jazz…. Can i ask which if these 2 do you prefer more? And which do you think can get a Cannonball ‘sound’ more easily?

    Thanks Steve
    Sean

    Reply
    • SteveSteve says

      October 10, 2014 at 9:35 am

      Sean,
      Both a very good mouthpieces. I can get a Cannonball type sound out of either. I do think the Rift as more volume and power if that is a factor in your decision. I no longer have a Drake NY Jazz here to compare it side by side with the Rift that I recently got. Steve

      Reply
  6. AvatarSheryl says

    October 13, 2014 at 9:03 am

    Hi Steve,
    I was just wondering if you ever tried Phil’s Aurora mouthpiece. It’s supposed to be a bit more mellow sounding I think. Just curious since I haven’t heard a sound clip of this particular mouthpiece. I think he makes some great mouthpieces and does a great job on his custom Meyers.

    Reply
    • SteveSteve says

      October 13, 2014 at 9:54 am

      Sheryl,
      No, I don’t think I have tried the Aurora model yet. Phil does make great mouthpieces. Steve

      Reply
  7. AvatarHarry says

    November 19, 2014 at 2:16 pm

    Hey Steve,

    Any chance you have played an RPC B alto? If so can you compare it with the Rift?

    thanks

    Reply
    • SteveSteve says

      November 19, 2014 at 3:48 pm

      Hi Harry,
      i played a RPC alto piece that was a .090 tip. I can’t remember what model it was but had a really high baffle. I personally didn’t care for that one at all. I was just way too open for my tastes so I really can’t compare to the Rift as they were so different in tip size………. Steve

      Reply
  8. AvatarChristopher says

    March 30, 2015 at 4:26 pm

    Steve,

    I currently have a Morgan Excalibur (6M). Do you have any thoughts on how the two might compare?

    Reply
    • SteveSteve says

      March 30, 2015 at 5:36 pm

      Hi Christopher, it’s hard for me to compare as I haven’t played a Morgan Excalibur since many years ago. Might be 15 years now. I remember thinking the Morgan was too bright for me back then. That being said, I think the Rift is just as bright probably but much fatter sounding in my opinion. But……….I don’t have a good memory of the Morgan piece but just the memory of why I didn’t keep it……..Hope this helps, Steve

      Reply
  9. AvatarChristopher says

    June 9, 2015 at 10:21 am

    Steve,

    I ordered a Rift from Phil, and I can tell you I am positively thrilled. The biggest differences I’m hearing in my tone echo much of what you’ve already said. I get a MUCH fatter tone, across all registers, with the Rift than I do with the Excalibur. This is especially noticeable in the palm notes and the altissimo register: before, I just hated the sound of high D and above, and I always thought it was my fault that it was so shrill. Now I’m loving the core I hear even in these notes.

    You’re definitely right about the Cannonball sound (which is what convinced me to get this piece – he is truly my favorite sax great). Just so rich and full a sound.

    It’s even more powerful than the Excalibur, as well – this piece can get LOUD if you want it to.

    Thanks for reviewing this piece Steve! As you can tell, I’m excited by the difference it is making in my sound.

    Reply
  10. AvatarIsaac says

    January 19, 2017 at 1:40 am

    Hi Steve,

    I was just wondering how you would compare the Theo Wanne Durga and the Rift. Any thoughts?

    Reply
  11. AvatarRuss C says

    May 7, 2022 at 10:18 pm

    I’m wondering how you felt about the Rift compared to the Meyer 100 anniversary New York mouthpiece.?

    Reply
    • SteveSteve says

      May 9, 2022 at 10:49 pm

      Russ, The Rift I have has a fatter tone to it than any Meyer I have tried. The high baffle gives it more power and brightness than most Meyer mouthpieces as well. Steve

      Reply
  12. AvatarTony says

    November 11, 2022 at 3:16 pm

    Hi Steve,

    It was your review that prompted me to buy this mouthpiece (Rift 7), and it will come as no surprise to your followers that your observations were spot on. I am thrilled with this mouthpiece and it is now my main alto piece. I was previously using a modern day stock Jumbo Java A45 which had the punch but lacked the versatility. What strikes me about the Rift is that it helps me not only play in various settings/genres, but I feel like I can excel. Some mouthpieces that tout versatility mean that they play pretty good in most settings, but the Rift makes me feel like I can play my best in any setting! A couple of things I’ve noticed after playing it for a few months now:

    1. Stiffer reeds don’t feel as stuffy or resistant as they would on most other mouthpieces. I usually play a 2.25 or 2.5 Legere American cut (which tend to run a little stiffer than cane), but on the Rift I’ve found 2.75 is my sweet spot (3.0 is not uncomfortable to play either).

    2. It has just the goldilocks amount of resistance. I almost want to call it positive feedback. You mentioned feeling a connection to the mouthpiece and I couldn’t agree more. This piece gives you something back so you can lean on it and shape things. It’s like doing Tai Chi in the pool vs on land, if that makes any sense… one can feel the shape of water much more than air.

    3. Surprisingly what I thought was going to be the biggest downside of the mouthpiece, it’s external appearance, has become one of my favorite attributes about it. I’ve grown to love that it looks like a stock mouthpiece and is arguably the LEAST identifiable mouthpiece from more than a foot away! It’s even more unassuming than a stock Meyer. To me, it says that Phil is all about the ears, not the eyes.

    4. It is becoming more and more rare where players can order a mouthpiece and deal with directly with not only the owner of the company, but the person who is physically making the mouthpiece themselves as well. This being my first PhilTone piece, it spoke volumes that both the customer service and product were equally superb and it was all 100% Phil throughout the whole process.

    Anyhow, thanks again Steve for keeping us engaged, informed, and educated. Especially throughout the pandemic! Wish you great health and success!

    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

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

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
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
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

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 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
Just wanted to send you a quick note to say thank you for being you, your playing, your website and your desire to help others. I’m a professional musician in the US Army and I’ve visited your website almost every day since discovering it a couple of months ago. Your lessons are profound and easy to use. I’ve purchased most of your PDF books and now am starting to delve more into the video and audio lessons.  Thank you for being a great resource!
James
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

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

Featured Video Lessons

  • The Secret to Modern Outside Jazz Lines Lesson-Minor $9.99
  • 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
    Rated 4.90 out of 5
    $9.99
  • 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!
BECOME A MEMBER TODAY AND SAVE BIG ON EACH LESSON!

Devastating Minor Lines for Jazz & Funk
Devastating Minor Lines for Jazz & Funk-Thirty 5 Star Reviews!!!

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

  • Mastering Altered Pentatonics (Digital PDF Book)
    Rated 5 out of 5
    by Dino Govoni
  • Mastering the Bebop Scale Review-Blues in All Keys Lesson 1
    Rated 5 out of 5
    by Steve Nye
  • Devastating Minor Lines for Jazz and Funk Soloing (Digital PDF Book)
    Rated 5 out of 5
    by Mark White
  • Devastating Dominant Lines for Jazz and Funk Soloing (Digital PDF Book)
    Rated 5 out of 5
    by Mark White
  • The Best Embouchure for Tone, Intonation and Endurance Lesson
    Rated 5 out of 5
    by Christopher Lutyk

Jazz Improvisation Books

Mastering Altered Pentatonics
Mastering Altered Pentatonics
Devastating Dominant Lines for Jazz & Funk
Devastating Dominant Lines for Jazz & Funk
Mastering the Minor ii-7b5 V7b9 Bebop Scale
Mastering the Minor ii-7b5 V7b9 Bebop Scale
Dominant Bebop Scale Book
Mastering the Dominant Bebop Scale
Mastering the Dominant Bebop Scale-Book 2
Mastering the Dominant Bebop Scale-Book 2
The New Ultimate II-V-I Primer (Major)
The New Ultimate II-V-I Primer (Major)
Mastering Major Diatonic Patterns
Mastering Major Diatonic Patterns
Devastating Minor Lines for Jazz & Funk
Devastating Minor Lines for Jazz & Funk-Thirty 5 Star Reviews!!!
Mastering the Blues Scale Vol. 2-Dominant Chords
Mastering the Blues Scale Vol. 2-Dominant Chords
Best II-V-I Patterns Book
Best II-V-I Patterns
Approach Note Velocity Book
Approach Note Velocity
Mastering the Blues Scale Vol. 1-Minor Chords
Mastering the Blues Scale Vol. 1-Minor Chords
Major Bebop Scale Book
Mastering the Major Bebop Scale & Sound

Footer

Recent Comments

  • Rory Leitch on Phil-Tone Rift Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review
  • Marc Vanden Eynden on Phil-Tone Rift Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review
  • Steve on Phil-Tone Rift Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review
  • Rory Leitch on Phil-Tone Rift Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review
  • Alan Klingaman on Phil-Tone Rift Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

Top rated products

  • Overtones-The Path to Altissimo Lesson
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99
  • The Dorian Mode Lesson
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99
  • Cool Piano Voicings Lesson 1
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99
  • The Best II-V-I's Overview Lesson
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99
  • Straight No Chaser-Jazz Articulation Lesson
    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 © 2023