Today, I am reviewing another mouthpiece made by Carlo Atti in Italy. I had never heard of Attisound Mouthpieces but Carlo contacted me last year and asked if I would be interested in reviewing some of his mouthpieces on my site. I was curious after looking at some pictures and agreed to try them out. He sent me a package with various sample mouthpieces to try. I already reviewed the two Black Mamba tenor mouthpieces. This one is the “Python” model tenor saxophone mouthpiece. I believe it is also an 8* tip opening although it is not labeled on the mouthpiece.
Attisound Python Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece
The Attisound Python tenor mouthpiece looks well made to the eye. The design looks similar to the Black Mamba but instead of the baffle being a straight line to the chamber edge, the Python has a bit of a slight curve at one point in the baffle which then increases the angle of descent. This has the affect of making the endpoint of the baffle slightly lower than the Black Mamba mouthpieces. The “bullet”chamber is of a different shape than the Black Mamba also. Looking into the mouthpiece from the bore end it looks to me like the Python actually has a smaller chamber than the Black Mamba. So, in comparison to the Black Mamber, it looks like we are dealing with a slightly lower baffle but smaller chamber. I’m interested to see how it plays and compares to the Black Mamba clips………….
Attisound Python Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece
Like the Black Mamba models, the tip and rails of the Attisound Python don’t look particularly thin but they aren’t as wide as I have seen on other mouthpieces either. My Rigotti and Vandoren Java reeds matched perfectly with the tip curve of the mouthpiece which I always like. Every reed that I tried on all the Attisound mouthpieces I received got suction on the “suction test”. That coupled with the fact that the mouthpieces played well for me makes me think that Carlos knows what he is doing when it comes to facing curves.
Attisound Python Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece
The Attisound mouthpiece came with a Attisound ligature that could be used on all the tenor mouthpieces. You can see the ligature in the pictures towards the bottom of the page. The ligature is made out of stainless steel and fits the tenor mouthpieces perfectly. It fits the mouthpiece and holds the reed on firmly and evenly.
My only complaint about the ligature is that it fits the mouthpiece body so exactly that you have to be very careful putting it on. (I have double vision which doesn’t help me with that either…….). I accidentally shaved off a corner of a reed with it when putting it on the Black Mamba. Later, I found I could slide the ligature on more safely at a slight angle but then found that I was scratching one side of the brass mouthpiece with the edge of the stainless steel ligature. I finally figured out that it was easier to leave the ligature on the mouthpiece, loosen it and slide the butt end of the reed underneath. This was much easier for me.
I really liked the ligature although I would like to see some lines designed into the screw you tighten so you can get more of a grip on the screw and it is not as smooth. Also, the way the ligature is tightened by the screw on top works so well that it is hard to know how tight the ligature is on the reed. At first I was tightening down the screw until it wouldn’t tighten anymore but soon realized that I was way over tightening the ligature. With a few turns to loosen it, the reed was still held on firmly and it improved the response of the reed greatly.
Attisound Python Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece
I tried both Rigotti Gold as well as Vandoren Java reeds on the Python. I found the Python more friendly to the Rigotti reeds than the Black Mamba’s I had reviewed early. I decided to record a clip with the Rigotti 3 Lights as well as a clip with Vandoren Java 2 1/2. I also added reverb to each clip just so you can hear a bit how that effect sounds on it also.
Attisound Python Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece
For me, the Attisound Python tenor sax mouthpiece sounds fatter and richer than both Black Mamba models I reviewed earlier. Not as bright and edgy also. The altissimo was easy to reach as you would expect from a high baffled mouthpiece. The tone can easily be bent and manipulated to be expressive. In my opinion, the fatness of the tone helped the lines to be smoother and more buttery if that makes sense. That was my impression.
Attisound Python Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece with Ligature
The intonation was great on the Python with nothing unusual to report. Played at full blast I felt like it got a bit of a fatter Lenny Picket vibe going to it. The harder Rigotti Gold 3L had a bit more focus I thought. It seemed like the harder reed added a bit more dryness to the recording also. The 2 1/2 Vandoren Java was more spread sounding.
Attisound Python Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece with Ligature
I think the Attisound Python would be a great rock n’ roll, funk or blues sax tone if you like that bright edgier sound when soloing. It can be dialed back a bit with less air and subtone also for jazz gigs but I think it would be hard to contain it’s volume and brightness on certain types of low key jazz gigs. Obviously, you have to have a preference for this brighter edgier tone at loud volumes (think Michael Brecker, Bob Berg, Bill Evans, etc……..) but if you are into that scene then this could be a great mouthpiece to check out………
Attisound Python Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece with Ligature
You can contact Carlo Atti on his website at www.attisoundmouthpiece.com. Tell him Steve sent you………….Great work Carlo!!
Let me know what you think in the comments below. Thanks, Steve
Attisound Python Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece-Dry No Reverb
Attisound Python Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece-Added Reverb
Attisound Python Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Rigotti 3 Light Reed (I make a mistake when I say it is 2 strong)-Dry No Reverb
Attisound Python Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Rigotti 3 Light Reed (I make a mistake when I say it is 2 strong)-Added Reverb
Sounds very nice. Good job. Peace Steve.