If any of you are interested in my background and views on a variety of subjects related to music, the saxophone and life, I was interviewed by Donna Schwartz for the “Everything Saxophone Podcast” a couple of weeks ago. Donna asked some great questions and we were able to discuss some personal subjects having to do with my history, the website, my health, mouthpiece reviews, various saxophone related topics and much more. I hope you find it interesting……… Steve
Steve Neff Interview on Everything Saxophone Podcast
Nick Mainella and Donna Schwartz run the “Everything Saxophone Podcast” and have interviewed 62 saxophonists for their podcast so far. I find it a great podcast to listen to when I am out driving or traveling. They cover a variety of topics with each player they interview and keep the podcast interesting. Check it out!
About Steve
Hi Steve, I read your review on Theo Wanne’s new LAKSHMI Tenor mouthpiece and decided to pull the trigger and get one. Its a 7* and its awesome! I love playing it so much I retired my old Early Babbitt Metal Otto Link 7* that I have been playing for the past 20 some odd years. Thanks for your review on it, you nailed it.
Now I’m in a quandary and in search of an Alto Sax mouthpiece. I have a Meyer 6 LTD and a Meyer 100th Anniversary which Simon at Tenor Madness picked out for me, its also a 6. I also have a Theo Wanne DURGA 1 it’s a 7 and it’s too bright. Out of all the Meyer 100 Anniversary that Simon pick out for me is my go to mouthpiece. Unfortunately, Simon is no longer with Tenor Madness, so I thought I would pick your brain and ask if you have had the opportunity to play the new Early Babbitt Connoisseur alto sax mouthpiece? Or do you know anything about it? Is it better than their 100th year anniversary model? I have been researching reviews on it but haven’t found enough info to pull the trigger and buy one yet. Also, I’m considering The Theo Wanne Gaia 3. hard rubber or maybe metal. You gave real good reviews on it. I play in bands that play a variety of everything from classic rock, r&b, light jazz, old country, ballads etc. I play mostly tenor and I’m mic’d. Playing Alto is a completely different animal for me. It’s either too bright or too stuffy. As you well know once you’re on the band stand, acoustics change to the room and the “proof is in the pudding” of what will work and what will not. I play an early 80’s Yamaha YTS62 Purple Logo Tenor, an early Ref 54 alto and a mid 60’s MK VI alto. I put the MK VI neck on the Ref 54 and I like it’s sound better. I also have a couple of old tenor Bueschers. a TH&C and a Super 400. Thanks so much for taking the time to read all of this. Your reviews are so helpful and are very much appreciated. Please keep up the good work. Sammy
Sammy, I am working on a review of the new Meyer Bros NY alto mouthpieces as I type this. I have the sound clips and am writing it up now. I can say I am very impressed with these two mouthpieces (I have a 7 and 8 tip opening). I was very impressed with the Meyers you mentioned as well but these Connoisseur mouthpieces seem to have something special to the way they blow that I really dig. Hopefully the review will be of some help to you.