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<\/a><\/p>\nFour New Ken Okutsu Alto\u00a0Saxophone Mouthpieces<\/strong><\/p>\n Here is the description and features of the Traditional II alto mouthpiece from the\u00a0Okutsu\u00a0website<\/a>:<\/em><\/p>\n Ken Okutsu Traditional II Alto\u00a0Sax Mouthpiece<\/strong><\/p>\n The Okutsu mouthpieces are hard rubber and come in a protective plastic case. \u00a0Within the case, \u00a0they are wrapped in a black velvet bag. \u00a0I received four\u00a0alto saxophone mouthpieces from Mr. Okutsu. \u00a0The alto\u00a0mouthpieces are the Traditional model, the Traditional II model, the\u00a0Focus Core model and the High Baffle\u00a0model.(I have listed these from darkest to brightest) \u00a0I kind of like how simplistic and straight forward the model names are. \u00a0 The Traditional model looks to be the darkest of the four, then the Traditional II looks to have a slightly higher rollover baffle. \u00a0The Focus Core has an even higher baffle and the chamber is much smaller. Finally, the High Baffle model has the highest baffle as the name implies although the chamber is bigger than than the Focus Core model.<\/p>\n The mouthpieces look good to my eye. \u00a0The hard rubber is shiny and without any imperfections. The gold engraving is neat and clean. \u00a0The rails, tip rail, table and baffle look very well crafted and even.<\/p>\n Ken Okutsu Traditional II Alto\u00a0Sax Mouthpiece<\/strong><\/p>\n The Traditional \u00a0II model\u00a0looks to have a slightly longer rollover baffle. These are not small rollover baffles. \u00a0I would say the Traditional model has about a half\u00a0inch long rollover before it descends into the chamber. \u00a0The Traditional II has around a 3\/4\u00a0inch rollover before it smoothly descends into the chamber. \u00a0The longer baffle on the Traditional II would most likely give it more brightness and power than the Traditional model would be my guess.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ken Okutsu Traditional II Alto Sax\u00a0Mouthpiece<\/strong><\/p>\n I thought the Ken Okutsu Traditional II alto\u00a0sax mouthpiece played great with\u00a0the same\u00a0Rigotti Gold 3 Light reed that I used on the Traditional model. The Traditional II had a brighter more modern sound in my opinion. \u00a0It wasn’t so bright that it would be unacceptable in a jazz setting although I did find it brighter than the Traditional model. \u00a0Although the tone was brighter, \u00a0I also found the tone to have a nice fatness and thickness to it to balance out the edge and highs in the sound. You can listen to the sound clip and see what differences you hear.<\/p>\n The intonation was still very good and\u00a0it’s tone was very even and smooth throughout the range of the horn just like the Traditional model.<\/p>\n Ken Okutsu Traditional II Alto\u00a0Sax Mouthpiece<\/strong><\/p>\n The Ken Okutsu Traditional II alto saxophone mouthpiece was great\u00a0to play. \u00a0This is another\u00a0great\u00a0mouthpiece for players who want the best of both worlds……..a sound that can be used for traditional jazz and bebop or a bit brighter for lead alto or funk music. The extra brightness and power of the Traditional II seemed to give me more energy and excitement while playing which I really dug! \u00a0 You can listen to the sound clip yourself and decide if you like it for yourself…………..<\/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>\nFeatures<\/em><\/h1>\n
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