\n<\/em><\/p>\n
Features<\/em><\/h1>\n\n- High baffle model has a\u00a0bright and powerful contemporary sound.<\/em><\/li>\n
- Long and high step baffle with large chamber.<\/em><\/li>\n
- The large chamber makes very rich and spread sound.<\/em><\/li>\n
- All mouthpieces are crafted by CNC machinery for incredible accuracy and finished by hand carefully.<\/em><\/li>\n
- Concave table<\/a>. It makes the tone full and rich. The practical life span of reeds is lengthened.<\/em><\/li>\n
- Material is the highest quality ebonite<\/a> (hard rubber).<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.neffmusic.com\/2014\/OkutsuHBTop.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nKen Okutsu High Baffle Tenor Mouthpiece<\/strong><\/p>\nThe Okutsu mouthpieces are hard rubber and come in a protective plastic case. \u00a0Within the case they are wrapped in a black velvet bag. \u00a0I received 3 tenor mouthpieces and one alto mouthpiece from Mr. Okutsu. \u00a0The tenor mouthpieces are the Traditional model, the Traditional II model and the High Baffle model. \u00a0I kind of like how simplistic and straight forward the model names are. \u00a0 The Traditional model looks to the darkest, then the Traditional II looks to have a slightly higher rollover baffle. \u00a0Finally, the High Baffle model has the highest \u00a0baffle as the name implies.<\/p>\n
The mouthpieces look good to my eye. \u00a0The hard rubber is shiny and without any imperfections. \u00a0The gold engraving is neat and clean. \u00a0The rails, tip rail, table and baffle look very well crafted and even.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.neffmusic.com\/2014\/OkutsuHBTable.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nKen Okutsu High Baffle Tenor Mouthpiece<\/strong><\/p>\nThe High Baffle model was very reed friendly to me. \u00a0I had no trouble trying different reeds on it and all the reeds passed the suction test when first put on and then later after playing awhile. \u00a0The Okutsu mouthpieces have a concave table which many player’s and mouthpiece manufactures have preferred over the years. \u00a0In recent years,\u00a0\u00a0it seems like I am getting a lot of mouthpiece with flat tables instead of concave. \u00a0Now that I’m writing this review, I am curious \u00a0as to what the differences are \u00a0between the two table in regard to playability, response and sound……….In the Okutsu bullet points above, the Concave table is listed as making the tone full and rich and increasing the life of reeds………….Interesting!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.neffmusic.com\/2014\/OkutsuHBBaffle.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nKen Okutsu High Baffle Tenor Mouthpiece<\/strong><\/p>\nHow did the Ken Okutsu High Baffle tenor mouthpiece play? \u00a0Well, it was very reed friendly but I felt most comfortable with a Rigotti Gold 2 1\/2 Medium reed (I forgot to say\u00a0the reed number in the sound clip…..sorry). \u00a0I also used a Vandoren Optimum ligature with the length long rails plate on it.<\/p>\n
As you would expect, the Okutsu High Baffle model leaned to the bright side of the saxophone tone spectrum. \u00a0I didn’t feel like it was overly bright but the tone was nice and crisp with a nice edge to it. \u00a0The altissimo was super easy to get and the range of the sax was smooth and even sounding when playing fast. \u00a0I played this mouthpiece up in a big unfinished room above my garage. \u00a0The room is big and empty so the sound bounces around the room with a natural reverb. \u00a0The Okutsu mouthpiece sounded huge in that room.<\/p>\n
The tone has a strong core and center to the sound. \u00a0In the opening statement of the sound clip you can hear how the tone has a brightness to it then at the :29 mark I blow with a little more power and it gets a bit brighter and edgier.<\/p>\n
I\u00a0haven’t had an opportunity to play this mouthpiece on a loud pop gig but this is a mouthpiece I would like to try in that setting. \u00a0The brightness and power\u00a0is appropriate for that kind of music but I don’t feel that it is so bright that you would sound out of place on a standard with it. \u00a0This is the type of mouthpiece and sound that would sound killer with a bit of reverb \u00a0on a gig.<\/p>\n
I would place\u00a0this mouthpiece as being in a similar category sound-wise as a Lamberson DD. RPC 115B, or a Ponzol M2. \u00a0I think the Ponzol would be a bit brighter than this mouthpiece though. \u00a0Although the tone reminds me of the Lamberson DD or RPC 115B I feel like it is much easier to play for me. Maybe because of the .110 tip opening.<\/p>\n
Sorry for the Pink Panther quote in the sound clip……….I taught a young student on Skype the song shortly before this clip so it was\u00a0lingering in my mind…………<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.neffmusic.com\/2014\/OkutsuHBCham.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nKen Okutsu High Baffle Tenor Mouthpiece<\/strong><\/p>\nThe Ken Okutsu High Baffle\u00a0Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece was great\u00a0to play. To be honest, I think it has been one of my favorite high baffle mouthpiece to play. \u00a0I’ve played other high baffle mouthpiece that sound killer on a pop gig but then when I play them in my studio they are so loud and obnoxious I can’t stand practicing with them. \u00a0This \u00a0Okutsu mouthpiece is a good choice for that bright sound and power but with more flexibility to \u00a0darken and shape\u00a0the sound in my opinion.<\/p>\n
If you like the sound of the clip below and the mouthpiece catches your interest then please contact Ken Okutsu\u00a0and give it a try. You can contact Mr. Okutsu\u00a0at his website at Okutsumouthpieces.com<\/a>. Tell him Steve sent you………….Great work Mr. Okutsu!!<\/p>\nLet me know what you think in the comments below. Thanks, Steve<\/p>\n
Ken Okutsu High Baffle Tenor Mouthpiece<\/strong><\/p>\n The Okutsu mouthpieces are hard rubber and come in a protective plastic case. \u00a0Within the case they are wrapped in a black velvet bag. \u00a0I received 3 tenor mouthpieces and one alto mouthpiece from Mr. Okutsu. \u00a0The tenor mouthpieces are the Traditional model, the Traditional II model and the High Baffle model. \u00a0I kind of like how simplistic and straight forward the model names are. \u00a0 The Traditional model looks to the darkest, then the Traditional II looks to have a slightly higher rollover baffle. \u00a0Finally, the High Baffle model has the highest \u00a0baffle as the name implies.<\/p>\n The mouthpieces look good to my eye. \u00a0The hard rubber is shiny and without any imperfections. \u00a0The gold engraving is neat and clean. \u00a0The rails, tip rail, table and baffle look very well crafted and even.<\/p>\n Ken Okutsu High Baffle Tenor Mouthpiece<\/strong><\/p>\n The High Baffle model was very reed friendly to me. \u00a0I had no trouble trying different reeds on it and all the reeds passed the suction test when first put on and then later after playing awhile. \u00a0The Okutsu mouthpieces have a concave table which many player’s and mouthpiece manufactures have preferred over the years. \u00a0In recent years,\u00a0\u00a0it seems like I am getting a lot of mouthpiece with flat tables instead of concave. \u00a0Now that I’m writing this review, I am curious \u00a0as to what the differences are \u00a0between the two table in regard to playability, response and sound……….In the Okutsu bullet points above, the Concave table is listed as making the tone full and rich and increasing the life of reeds………….Interesting!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ken Okutsu High Baffle Tenor Mouthpiece<\/strong><\/p>\n How did the Ken Okutsu High Baffle tenor mouthpiece play? \u00a0Well, it was very reed friendly but I felt most comfortable with a Rigotti Gold 2 1\/2 Medium reed (I forgot to say\u00a0the reed number in the sound clip…..sorry). \u00a0I also used a Vandoren Optimum ligature with the length long rails plate on it.<\/p>\n As you would expect, the Okutsu High Baffle model leaned to the bright side of the saxophone tone spectrum. \u00a0I didn’t feel like it was overly bright but the tone was nice and crisp with a nice edge to it. \u00a0The altissimo was super easy to get and the range of the sax was smooth and even sounding when playing fast. \u00a0I played this mouthpiece up in a big unfinished room above my garage. \u00a0The room is big and empty so the sound bounces around the room with a natural reverb. \u00a0The Okutsu mouthpiece sounded huge in that room.<\/p>\n The tone has a strong core and center to the sound. \u00a0In the opening statement of the sound clip you can hear how the tone has a brightness to it then at the :29 mark I blow with a little more power and it gets a bit brighter and edgier.<\/p>\n I\u00a0haven’t had an opportunity to play this mouthpiece on a loud pop gig but this is a mouthpiece I would like to try in that setting. \u00a0The brightness and power\u00a0is appropriate for that kind of music but I don’t feel that it is so bright that you would sound out of place on a standard with it. \u00a0This is the type of mouthpiece and sound that would sound killer with a bit of reverb \u00a0on a gig.<\/p>\n I would place\u00a0this mouthpiece as being in a similar category sound-wise as a Lamberson DD. RPC 115B, or a Ponzol M2. \u00a0I think the Ponzol would be a bit brighter than this mouthpiece though. \u00a0Although the tone reminds me of the Lamberson DD or RPC 115B I feel like it is much easier to play for me. Maybe because of the .110 tip opening.<\/p>\n Sorry for the Pink Panther quote in the sound clip……….I taught a young student on Skype the song shortly before this clip so it was\u00a0lingering in my mind…………<\/p>\n Ken Okutsu High Baffle Tenor Mouthpiece<\/strong><\/p>\n The Ken Okutsu High Baffle\u00a0Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece was great\u00a0to play. To be honest, I think it has been one of my favorite high baffle mouthpiece to play. \u00a0I’ve played other high baffle mouthpiece that sound killer on a pop gig but then when I play them in my studio they are so loud and obnoxious I can’t stand practicing with them. \u00a0This \u00a0Okutsu mouthpiece is a good choice for that bright sound and power but with more flexibility to \u00a0darken and shape\u00a0the sound in my opinion.<\/p>\n If you like the sound of the clip below and the mouthpiece catches your interest then please contact Ken Okutsu\u00a0and give it a try. You can contact Mr. Okutsu\u00a0at his website at Okutsumouthpieces.com<\/a>. Tell him Steve sent you………….Great work Mr. Okutsu!!<\/p>\n Let me know what you think in the comments below. Thanks, Steve<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n