• 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 / Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews / Tenor High Baffle Reviews / Liu Shizhao MB Prototype Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

Liu Shizhao MB Prototype Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

November 18, 2015 by Steve 3 Comments

In todays modern world, you see new products popping up on the internet almost everyday.  About a month ago, I was on Facebook just browsing through friend’s posts when I came upon some beautiful pictures of some mouthpieces I had never seen before.  These were posted by Liu Shizhao who lives in Beijing, China and apparently makes saxophone mouthpieces.   Judging from the pictures I saw, these were masterfully made mouthpieces that looked beautiful!  Of course, with sax mouthpieces, looks are not everything…….the true test is in how they play.   I contacted Mr. Shizhao and asked if I could review some of his mouthpieces on Neffmusic.com and he graciously agreed.

Liu Shizhao MB Prototype Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

A few weeks later, I received a package in the mail from China.  I was very excited!  These mouthpieces looked beautiful and I was really hoping they played as good as they looked.  I opened up the package and inside were a carefully packed silver tenor mouthpiece and silver alto mouthpiece.  Today I am reviewing the tenor mouthpiece.   Mr. Shizhao calls this mouthpiece his MB prototype mouthpiece which I assumes refers to Michael Breckers Guardala mouthpiece that he played for so many years.

Liu Shizhao MB Prototype Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

The Shizhao MB model looked great upon inspection. Although you can’t tell from the pictures, it has a beautifully designed dark green bite plate.  The craftmanship looks superb.  The rails are thin and even and the tip rail looks to match the shape of my reeds exactly.  The table looks to be exactly the width of the reed so the edges of the reed are even with the outside of the thin side rails.

It looks to have a step baffle like the Guardala mouthpieces I have played in the past.  Instead of having a sharp edge on the step baffle like the laser trimmed Guardala mouthpieces have, the Shizhao step baffle edge has been smoothed to produce a smooth rollover that then descends down into the large chamber.  Everything looks very even and smooth in regards to the baffle and it’s shape.   Very well crafted!

Liu Shizhao MB Prototype Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

The sidewalls of the Shizhao MB mouthpiece are scooped out and the chamber looks pretty large to my eye.  On the side of the mouthpiece is engraved .114 which is the tip size.  I generally don’t like going over .110 tip openings but when a mouthpiece has a baffle of this length and height a tip of around .115 can still feel pretty comfortable for me.

I found Rigotti Gold reeds to be a bit too edgy for me on this mouthpiece but the Rico Select Jazz reeds worked perfectly with a 3S unfiled size.  I found that the RSJ reeds gave a bit more body and thickness to the tone and took away some of the edge that I got with the Rigotti reeds.  I tried a Rovner ligature on this piece also but I didn’t like it as much as a metal ligature.  The Rovner coupled with the Rico reeds just took too much of the highs out of the sound for my tastes but others might like the Rovner for a darker vibe.

Liu Shizhao MB Prototype Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

The Shizhao MB prototype played great for me. I’ve played a number of handmade Guardala mouthpieces as well as laser trimmed Guardalas and in my opinion this mouthpiece is in the same category as those. Liu actually emailed me and told me that he based this mouthpiece design off of a handmade Guardala that he owns. He did say that he changed the end of the baffle on the tenor piece as well as making the rails shape slightly different.  If I compare this piece to those Guardalas I have played I would say this piece is less edgy and fatter sounding than those mouthpieces although in my opinion, it still has that awesome core to the sound that players of these kind of mouthpieces love.  I always had a hard time playing standards on Guardalas but I taught for a few days with this piece on my tenor and had no problem laying back and playing a few jazz tunes on it.  You have to be careful not to blow full volume as the volume and brightness multiply exponentially.  Play laid back and it sounds great for jazz though.

To me the sound is full and fat with a ton of power available. Like most high baffle mouthpieces, the tone can get really bright and edgy if you don’t adjust your embouchure to balance that.  I found that making my lower lip fatter and more pillowy really helped fatten up the tone and take some of the edge away.  I’ve also found that the way I blow and focus my air has to be different than playing on a Link style mouthpiece. It usually takes me some time to readjust to a high baffle piece but once I do they can play and sound great!

I have  heard the complaint about laser trimmed Guardalas that they can sound too thin up in the palm keys.  I had the same experience with one years ago. I think Mr. Shizhao has taken some of the edge and thinness away from those high notes on his piece as I didn’t notice that at all while playing it. I wonder if the smooth rollover at the end of the baffle helps in that regard…………

The intonation on this mouthpiece was terrific in my opinion and the piece played really smooth and evenly throughout the range of the horn also.

Liu Shizhao MB Prototype Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

For many years, China has had a bad reputation for producing inferior products related to the saxophone but I’m seeing more and more saxophone related gear from China that is quite good!  The Shizhao MB prototype is right up there with some of the best high baffle tenor mouthpieces I have played. I am told that these tenor mouthpieces sell for 495.00 USD which I think is a great deal.  To order one you can contact Liu Shizhao by email at saxproshop@gmail.com.  If this tenor mouthpiece is the first  of many mouthpiece to be made by Mr. Shizhao I am excited to see what other mouthpieces he produces in the future!  Great Job!

https://cdn.neffmusic.com/2015/November/ShizhaoMB114.mp3

Liu Shizhao MB Prototype Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

Filed Under: Tenor High Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: China, Liu Shizhao, MB Prototype, Michael Brecker, mouthpiece review, 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. AvatarJeff Todd says

    November 27, 2015 at 11:20 am

    Hey Steve,

    You really sound as if you don’t want to stop playing this one. It sounds extremely easy to play and the tone production is very centered and crystal clear. Excellent intonation. It is a bright mouthpiece but not overly so, at least not the way you are playing it. Very nice. JT

    Reply
    • SteveSteve says

      December 9, 2015 at 12:17 pm

      Yes Jeff. I usually record a long clip of me playing and then prune it down to 2-3 minutes of lines that I think show off the different attributes of the mouthpiece. In this case I got done playing and when I went to prune the clip I saw that I had been playing for over 18 minutes! I think I liked it!

      Reply
  2. AvatarMurray Middleman says

    December 4, 2015 at 11:49 pm

    I like the full Tone that has direction and focus.I had a piece very simular in sound and tip opening.Anyway , it sounds terrific Steve .Thanks for the demo
    .Murray M

    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

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
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
Steve really changed my way of practicing: I got a whole lot of new ideas for my playing the tenor.  His lessons are really helpful, give a lot stuff to practice and give clear answers to complicated stuff.  Steve has a lot of humor and I wish I had laughed so much in my former days with the horn.  All topics, from Blues to Approach note are dealt with clearness that wet ones appetite to play and practice that great ideas.
Uwe
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

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

Steve,

I have played for many years and have enjoyed going “back to the basics” in some of your lessons!  You have such a gift for explaining concepts.  As I have gotten older, some of the basic things have gotten muddled because I just play, not knowing why.  As I refresh myself with “why”, it increases my confidence and expands my playing.  Thank you so much for using your gift!  You are a blessing!

Julia
I have been a member of Neffmusic for more than a year now and have enjoyed every minute of it! I have not only been going thru the Dominant Bebop Scale lessons and book (OUTSTANDING!) but the mouthpiece reviews, solo clips and transcriptions are very interesting. Steve approach to beginning and intermediate improv have given me many new pathways to teach my high school jazz ensemble students. Congratulations Steve, great product!
Craig
I am enjoying your style of teaching, and you’ve done a great job with the videos….good sound quality and well constructed lessons.  Balances the more guitaristic material found on the majority of guitar based programs.  Jazz vocab is what I’m all about at this point in the journey.   I especially dig the fact that you’ve studied with Bergonzi…helps me see his voluminous output in a more  bite sized way.
Milton

After reading your story I will never feel quite right about complaining about any of my MINOR health issues!!    God bless Steve and I really hope that your health doesn’t stop you from fulfilling your calling.    These books have been such a help to open up my jazz vocabulary…   Thanks so much for sharing your story and for providing these great teaching tools…   John Leclerc   Saxophonist / composer/ EWI player and professional working musician of 35 years….

John Leclerc
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

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!

Mastering the Blues Scale Vol. 2-Dominant Chords
Mastering the Blues Scale Vol. 2-Dominant Chords

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

  • Steve on Phil-Tone Rift Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review
  • KK on Phil-Tone Rift Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review
  • Steve on Phil-Tone Rift Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review
  • KK on Phil-Tone Rift Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review
  • Steve 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