Today, I will be reviewing the brand new and surprisingly affordable Kessler Custom 7* tenor saxophone mouthpiece made by Kessler & Sons music in Las Vegas in collaboration with Theo Wanne. Dave Kessler of Kessler & Sons Music reached out to me in August asking if I would be interested in reviewing his new line of custom saxophone mouthpieces that he had designed and made in collaboration with Theo Wanne. Unfortunately, at the time, I couldn’t commit to reviewing them, but now, five months later, I am excited to try these new Kessler Custom saxophone mouthpieces. Dave Kessler sent me a Kessler Custom 7* tenor saxophone mouthpiece, a Kessler Custom 7 alto saxophone mouthpiece and a Kessler Custom 7 soprano saxophone mouthpiece to try out.
Kessler Custom 7* Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece by Theo Wanne
Here is some information about the Kessler Custom saxophone mouthpieces from the Kessler & Sons website:
Our Kessler Custom brand launched in 2005 in order to provide musicians with high quality, affordable performance instruments and accessories. Theo Wanne Mouthpieces are considered the highest quality and performance sax mouthpieces ever made. So as part of our Kessler Custom brand’s 20th anniversary in 2025, we reached out to Theo’s team to develop a new line of Kessler Custom saxophone mouthpieces to meet the needs of musicians while still offering exception value. That’s how the Kessler Custom by Theo Wanne mouthpiece line was born!
Built on Theo’s exceptional “Additive Manufacturing Process” or “A.M.P.”, which is similar to the concept of 3D Printing, but at a much higher quality level / resolution, these mouthpieces offer the most exceptional value (in our biased opinion) available on the market today. This isn’t your basic 3D printed mouthpiece – these are mouthpieces that rival CNC manufacturing at a fraction of the cost!
Kessler Custom by Theo Wanne Mouthpieces
Jazz Tenor Sax Mouthpiece
“We have worked with Theo for a long time and have always wanted to do a collaboration mouthpiece, but the concept of high performance at an affordable price is paramount to our Kessler Custom branding. While Theo’s mouthpieces are truly on a different level than the rest, they also sat at the upper echelon in price! That all changed in late 2024 with the Theo Wanne Essentials Series of mouthpieces. This new line of mouthpiece from Theo brings incredible quality and affordability. That’s when we realized that it was time for the Kessler Custom by Theo Wanne mouthpiece line to finally come to life! Introducing the Kessler Custom by Theo Wanne Jazz Tenor Sax Mouthpiece!
We worked with Theo and his team to create this new model. This is not just a standard Essentials Series model rebranded, but a unique model based around a specific performance concept that we worked with Theo’s team to develop for the modern player.
Kessler / Wanne Design
This is not a “copy” of anything specific, but it is heavily influenced by vintage Otto Link sound concepts. Plainly put, we wanted a quick responding, focused tonal core that didn’t break apart under pressure. We also wanted this to pair well with modern market trends like synthetic reeds (don’t worry, it works great with cane reeds too). So all facets of the mouthpiece – tip, baffle, facing curve, chamber – were all designed for this concept and the end result is an affordable performance jazz tenor sax mouthpiece for all performance levels.
Available in 3 facing options:
-
- 5*: .085″
- 6*: .095″
- 7*: .105″
Ligature Bundle
Your ligature makes a big difference in performance. So it is important to us that you get the right ligature for your new mouthpiece to fit your desired performance. We offer 3 ligature bundle options with the mouthpiece:
- Rovner Dark Ligature
Due to the perfectly flat table (instead of a concave table), the Rovner Dark ligature works really well with the mouthpiece to produce a mellow, but responsive tone. Additionally, customers can find that inverting the Rovner ligature (placing the screw on the reed side of the mouthpiece) can actually add a little richer tonal core to the setup as well. So if you test and don’t love the ligature with the screw on top, then simply flip it around and test it out with the screw on the reed side. Trust us, it works! - D’Addario H-Ligature
If you prefer the quickest response, the D’Addario H-Ligature is a great option for performance. An inverted metal ligature, 24k Gold plated, these offer minimal reed contact for as much vibration as possible. The only draw-back to the H-Ligature is that it can scuff / scratch the mouthpiece’s textured exterior. So if you choose the H-Ligature, make sure to be careful not to damage the mouthpiece during testing. - Rovner VERSA-X
Based on the heavy mass concept of the original VERSA model, the VERSA-X offers a dark, rich tonal core with exceptional response and versatility. The X model integrates the “Mass Loaded Resonating Ribs” into the ligature to simplify its use. The original VERSA model allows for the customer to change out how much weight is present, but those weights can fall out… so the VERSA-X model eliminates that issue. - No Ligature
You can also opt for no ligature if you prefer at a small discount. - Reed Preference
This mouthpiece is pretty reed friendly thanks to the quality of Theo’s manufacturing. We do find that if you are using cane reeds, that a thicker hearted / thicker vamp cut works better than a thinner cut. Synthetics also work VERY well with the design due to the perfectly flat table. This helps to eliminate some of the “buzz” that some mouthpieces get from synthetic reeds. - Cane Reed Recommendations:
- Vandoren: V16, ZZ, Traditional
- D’Addario: Jazz Select, Reserve, Hemke, Plasticover
- Synthetic Reed Recommendations:
- Legere: American Cut & Signature Cut
- D’Addario VENN (Gen 2) and Fibracell also work well
Kessler Custom 7* Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece by Theo Wanne
The Kessler Custom 7* tenor saxophone mouthpiece was shipped well packaged and protected. The mouthpiece comes in a Kessler & Sons designed box with stylish printing on it with all the details of the mouthpiece inside. Inside the box, the Kessler Custom 7* tenor saxophone mouthpiece is wrapped in a soft white material to protect it during shipping. The ligature (four choices listed above: Rovner Dark, Rovner Versa-X, D’Addario H Ligature and no ligature) and cap you select is included in the box with the mouthpiece.
Kessler Custom 7* Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Box
The Kessler Custom 7* tenor saxophone mouthpiece I received came with a Rovner Versa-X ligature and mouthpiece cap. Due to the fact that I am only reviewing the mouthpiece, I decided to not use the Rovner Vera-X ligature provided but instead used a Boston Sax Shop ligature that I have used on many other hard rubber tenor sax mouthpiece reviews just to keep the variables constant from review to review. Although, I sometimes use other ligatures on my reviews, I tend to try using ligatures that I don’t feel change or impact the tone too much unless I have to. (*I will try the Rovner Versa-X later and add to the review if I find the Versa-X makes a huge difference…..)
The Kessler Custom 7* tenor saxophone mouthpiece is similar in size to a standard hard rubber tenor saxophone mouthpiece like a hard rubber Otto Link and all the ligatures that fit a standard hard rubber Otto Link sized mouthpiece should work on the Kessler Custom 7* tenor saxophone mouthpiece.
Kessler Custom 7* Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece by Theo Wanne
The Kessler Custom 7* tenor saxophone mouthpiece material is the same black AMP material that the Theo Wanne Essentials saxophone mouthpiece line are made of. In the description of the AMP material, it is describes as a “proprietary bio-safe polymer”. Regardless of the materials name, the material the Kessler Custom mouthpieces are made of looks and feels solid and stable. Theo describes the material as having a similar weight and density when compared to hard rubber.
On the body of the mouthpiece is engraved “Kessler Custom by Theo Wanne” on the top of the mouthpiece body. Beneath the table on the shank of the mouthpiece is engraved the tip opening of 7*. This 7* tip opening equates to a .105 tip opening.
Kessler Custom 7* Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece by Theo Wanne
The Kessler Custom 7* tenor saxophone mouthpiece tip, rails, baffle, table and chamber all look well crafted, symmetrical and even. The side rails and tip rails are precise and thin near the tip. The table looks flat, even and well made although the reed does hang off the rear of the table slightly.
The Kessler Custom 7* tenor saxophone mouthpiece has what I would describe as a medium rollover baffle. The baffle is at a medium height for about 1/2 an inch and then it rolls over gently to descend at a great angle towards the large chamber. Once the baffle reaches the chamber entrance, there is a line you can see where the floor of the chamber is a little deeper than the descending baffle height. I describe the chamber as a large chamber because it looks very similar to my hard rubber Early Babbitt Otto Link chamber which I have always described as a large chamber as well.
The sidewalls are scooped out nicely for almost the whole length of the sidewalls distance from the tip to the chamber entrance. The bottom of the chamber floor is scooped out smoothly so that the chamber floor is slightly lower than the bore of the mouthpiece. The roof of the chamber is nice and thin under the mouthpiece table (much thinner than my Early Babbitt Otto Link tenor saxophone mouthpiece).
Kessler Custom 7* Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece by Theo Wanne
The Kessler Custom 7* tenor saxophone mouthpiece played great with a variety of reeds and passed the suction test with every tenor saxophone reed that I tried on it. I gravitated to the strength #3 reeds which in my opinion were the perfect strength on the Kessler Custom tenor saxophone mouthpiece. I ended up recording with a Boston Sax Shop #3 Silver Label tenor saxophone reed which I think paired perfectly with the Kessler Custom tenor sax mouthpiece.
The Kessler Custom 7* tenor saxophone mouthpiece had what I would describe as a tone that sat on the brighter side of the dark to bright tone spectrum while still remaining warm sounding to my ears. When I played at a more medium volume, I felt like the tone leaned to the right of middle of that tone spectrum but when I pushed the air more forcefully, the tone leaned even brighter on that tone spectrum.
The tone was full, rich and had that buttery smoothness to the tone that I describe encountering with some mouthpieces I have reviewed. I usually connect that “buttery smoothness” to darker sounding mouthpieces but the Kessler Custom tenor saxophone mouthpiece somehow attains a brighter version of this “buttery smoothness”. I know that is a weird way to describe a tone but that is always what comes to my mind. It basically means that the tone has a round smoothness to the tone that, when coupled with the evenness and smoothness between the notes, makes the fast lines sound legato and fat making the lines flow really smoothly.
Kessler Custom 7* Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece by Theo Wanne
The intonation of the Kessler Custom 7* tenor saxophone mouthpiece was excellent on my Selmer SBA tenor saxophone. All the notes seemed in-tune without any major adjustments needed on my part to tame the intonation of any notes.
The Kessler Custom 7* tenor saxophone mouthpiece had a good amount of power and volume available to it. I would rate it as a 7-8 on my 1-10 volume scale for saxophone mouthpieces. When compared to a typical hard rubber Otto Link tenor sax mouthpiece, the Kessler Custom 7* tenor saxophone mouthpiece has more power, volume and brightness because of that medium high rollover baffle. A better comparison for volume purposes might be comparing it to an Early Babbitt Otto Link as they had higher rollover baffles as well.
Kessler Custom 7* Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece by Theo Wanne
The Kessler Custom 7* tenor saxophone mouthpiece performed great in the altissimo range of the saxophone and the low notes were nice and fat sounding and could be sub-toned easily to produce a beautiful lush sound down low. The notes could be easy manipulated and shaped to be expressive and bluesy sounding.
The articulation was clean and crisp and the Kessler Custom 7* tenor saxophone mouthpiece performed well on fast jazz lines while applying articulation. As I described above, that smooth and fat tone coupled with the evenness of scale throughout the range really allowed the fast lines to sound very smooth and flowing.
Kessler Custom 7* Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece by Theo Wanne
On the sound clips below, I try to give a good range and variety of tenor saxophone sounds and textures so that you can hear how the Kessler Custom 7* tenor saxophone mouthpiece performs in different styles. I demonstrate the sound of the Kessler Custom 7* tenor saxophone mouthpiece with all my usual lines and melodies so if you want to compare it to my other sound clips and reviews, you should be able to find many of the same lines to compare this sound clip to.
The first sound clip is recorded with no effects on a BSS (Boston Sax Shop) #3 silver label tenor saxophone reed.
The second sound clip is the same as the first clip with a little reverb added to the mix. I will add that I absolutely loved the sound of the Kessler Custom tenor saxophone mouthpiece with that reverb added to the mix so wanted to include some clips with reverb as well. I feel like the reverb gives more softness to the bright overtones in the tone.
The third sound clip is a clip of me playing the simple melody of “When I Fall in Love” with reverb added.
The fourth sound clip is of some altissimo playing with some reverb added so you can hear how the mouthpiece sounds in that range of the saxophone with reverb. I am using the same BSS #3 silver label tenor saxophone reed for all the sound clips.
Kessler Custom 7* Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece by Theo Wanne
In my opinion, the Kessler Custom 7* tenor saxophone mouthpiece is a fabulous budget friendly tenor saxophone mouthpiece for those looking for a beautifully focused and rich sounding tenor saxophone tone that is well rounded and versatile. The Kessler Custom 7* tenor saxophone mouthpiece gives the player a sound full of rich character and brighter overtones that can be fat and lush sounding while also giving a good amount of brightness and power when pushed harder for more modern music. The Kessler Custom 7* tenor saxophone mouthpiece is a great affordable choice for jazz, big band, small group settings or contemporary music. This is a great tenor saxophone mouthpiece choice for any professional or student who needs a tenor sax mouthpiece that can cover all those bases.
Kessler & Sons and Theo Wanne and his team have done a terrific job designing a versatile tenor saxophone mouthpiece perfect for jazz tenor saxophonists while still being relatively affordable compared to most of the other options out on the market today. Dave Kessler tells me that these new Kessler Custom saxophone mouthpieces are included as stock saxophone mouthpieces with all the Kessler Custom saxophones they sell and that many customers have been very happy with the pairing of these excellent Kessler Custom mouthpieces included with their saxophones.
If you like the sound and look of the Kessler Custom 7* tenor saxophone mouthpiece by Kessler & Sons Music and Theo Wanne, you can find them at the Kessler & Sons Music website.
If you are lucky enough to play a Kessler Custom 7* tenor saxophone mouthpiece or have any other thoughts or comments, I would love to hear what you think in the comments below. Thanks, Steve
Kessler Custom 7* Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece by Theo Wanne with BSS #3 Silver Label Reed
Kessler Custom 7* Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece by Theo Wanne – No Effects – BSS (Boston Sax Shop) #3 Silver Label Reed
Kessler Custom 7* Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece by Theo Wanne – Same Clip as Above with Reverb Added – BSS (Boston Sax Shop) #3 Silver Label Reed
Kessler Custom 7* Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece by Theo Wanne – When I Fall in Love Melody with Reverb Added – BSS (Boston Sax Shop) #3 Silver Label Reed
Kessler Custom 7* Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece by Theo Wanne – Altissimo with Reverb Added – BSS (Boston Sax Shop) #3 Silver Label Reed
Disclosure: I was sent three of the Kessler Custom mouthpieces (Tenor 7*, Alto 7, Soprano 7) for free in the hope that I would try them and perhaps review them on my blog here at Neffmusic. I also make an affiliate commission on any BSS (Boston Sax Shop) reeds purchased through the links on this review without any extra cost to you. Regardless, I only review mouthpieces that I enjoy playing and believe will be good for other saxophone players to try as well. Steve
Beautiful Steve!
Thanks for the review Steve! Excellent as always!