I have been experimenting lately with different recording distances and settings for my mouthpiece reviews. Usually, I record dry with no effects about 2 feet from the microphone. I’ve noticed that darker sounding mouthpieces can sound rich and beautiful in this setting but many times the brighter more powerful mouthpieces can sound harsh, shrill, edgy, […]
Reviews
Absolute “Alto+” Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece
Today, I am reviewing a mouthpiece made by the Absolute company. These are made in Italy and this model is called the “Alto +”. There is also an Alto AL, Alto ST and an Alto R model on their website. You can also find all these models for Baritone, Soprano and Tenor saxophones as well. […]
Absolute Alto ST Saxophone Mouthpiece
Today, I am reviewing a mouthpiece made by the Absolute company. These are made in Italy and this model is called the “Alto ST”. There is also an Alto AL, Alto + and a Alto R model on their website. You can also find all these models for Baritone, Soprano and Tenor saxophones as well. […]
Absolute “Soprano +” Saxophone Mouthpiece
Today, I am reviewing a mouthpiece made by the Absolute company. These are made in Italy and this model is called the “Soprano +”. (I call it a ST model in the recording but it is the + model) There is also a Soprano AL, Soprano ST and a Soprano R model on their website. […]
The John Coltrane Omnibook Review
*I posted all the recordings I could find on Youtube that go with this transcription book at the bottom of this review………Enjoy! Those of you who know me and my musical history know the impact the Charlie Parker Omnibook has had on me since I discovered it in High School many years ago. I was […]
Silverstein Saxophone Ligature Review
Today, I am reviewing a new ligature made by Silverstein Works. For years I have heard about the amazing results that musicians would get from string ligatures. These whispers and rumors were usually heard on different clarinet boards and forums that I would visit. These posts were so compelling and convincing that I had […]
Absolute Resin Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece
Today, I am reviewing a mouthpiece made by the Absolute company. These are made in Italy. This model is called the “AltoR”model. There is also an Alto AL, Alto ST and an Alto + model on their website. You can also find all these models for Baritone, Tenor and Soprano saxophones as well. The AL […]
Phil-Tone Sapphire Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece
Today, I am reviewing another new mouthpiece made by Phil Engleman at Phil-Tone mouthpieces. Phil Engleman is the founder of Phil-Tone mouthpieces and I have reviewed a number of his mouthpieces in the past. The Equinox, the Eclipse, the Solstice and most recently the Tribute. When Phil contacted me a couple of months ago about […]
Absolute “Tenorer” Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece
Today, I am reviewing a mouthpiece made by the Absolute company. These are made in Italy. This model is called the “Tenorer”. There is also a Tenor AL, Tenor ST and a Tenor + model on their website. You can also find all these models for Baritone,Alto and Soprano saxophones as well. The AL model […]
Drake Stubbie Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece
Today I am reviewing another great Aaron Drake mouthpiece called the “Stubbie”. It is modeled after the Dukoff “Stubbie” model from the 1950’s. I don’t know much about the Dukoff “Stubbies” and have never played one as of yet. I’ll leave any facts about the original “Stubbie” model to the mouthpiece “gurus” and collectors out […]
Florida Double Ring Otto Link Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece
Today, I’m reviewing an old 1950’s Florida Double Ring Otto Link Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece. It was originally a 5 tip opening but was opened up to a 7 or .100 tip opening at some point. These Florida double ring mouthpieces were made in the 1950’s by the Otto Link company. This mouthpiece I have is […]
Ted Klum Focustone Standard Model Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece
Today, I m reviewing a Ted Klum Focustone Standard Model. It has a .108 tip opening. I am lucky that I could borrow this from a friend on SOTW (Sax on the Web). This is one of his favorite mouthpieces but he let me have it for a few weeks so I could do a […]
Rafael Navarro “Bob Mintzer” Bebop Special Tenor Mouthpiece
Today, I m reviewing a tenor mouthpiece that I have been wanting to try for a very long time. This is the Bob Mintzer Bebop Special tenor mouthpiece made by Rafael Navarro. The one I am reviewing today has a 7** tip opening and is made of hard rubber that has a red marble look […]
Phil-Tone & Theo Wanne Tribute Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece
Today, I am excited to review a new mouthpiece made by Phil Engleman and Theo Wanne. Phil Engleman is the founder of Phil-Tone mouthpieces and I have reviewed a number of his mouthpieces in the past. The Equinox,the Eclipse, the Solstice, etc…………… Phil contacted me a few months ago and said he was going to […]
Barone Hollywood Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece 2000
Today, I am reviewing a mouthpiece made by Phil Barone. This mouthpiece is the Hollywood model and it was made back in 2000 so it is an older model. I have been a big fan of Phil Barone’s mouthpieces ever since I went to see Jerry Bergonzi play at the Acton Jazz Cafe years ago. […]
Drake “Jerry Bergonzi” Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece
Today, I am reviewing a mouthpiece made by Aaron Drake of Drake Mouthpieces. This new mouthpiece is the Jerry Bergonzi model. I have been a fan of Jerry Bergonzi’s since my first days at Berklee College of Music in Boston (1986). Up until that time, I had only been an alto sax player. I had […]
Vintage Selmer Soloist Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece
Ever since the 1980’s I have been a big fan of Kenny Garrett. I can’t remember the first time I heard him but I remember having a record in the 80’s entitled “Introducing Kenny Garrett” that I loved. (I was an alto sax player back then) Soon after this, I remember also hearing Mr. Garrett […]
Rafael Navarro Maestra Soprano Saxophone Mouthpiece
I have another Rafael Navarro mouthpiece up for review today. This is a hard rubber Maestra 6* soprano saxophone mouthpiece. I used a Vandoren Java 2 1/2 reed on it with a Vandoren Optimum metal ligature. My soprano sax is a Yamaha YSS-62. Like all of Rafael’s mouthpieces I have tried so far, this one […]
Rafael Navarro Maestra Marble Tenor Mouthpiece
I have another Rafael Navarro tenor mouthpiece up for review today. This is a marble Maestra 8. I used a Rigotti Gold 2 1/2 strong reed on it with a Francois Louis Ultimate ligature. Like all of Rafael’s mouthpieces I have tried so far, this one is a work of art. The mouthpiece looks so […]
The “Reed Geek” Universal Reed Tool
Back in December, I was lucky enough to get a Reed Geek “Universal” Reed Tool to try out. Anyone that has been to my house for lessons has probably noticed the shoe boxes on my shelves in my studio. These shoe boxes are filled with every reed I have ever tried and not liked in […]
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